What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure generally performed to improve the function and appearance of a person's nose. This surgery can reduce or increase the size of the nose as well as modify its shape. Rhinoplasty can alter the shape of the tip or bridge, narrow the nostril opening, or change the angle between the nose and upper lip. This surgery can also correct an aesthetically displeasing nose, birth defects (consequences of facial malformations), damage caused by an accident, and breathing problems.

Before Rhinoplasty

How to Prepare for Rhinoplasty

Before undergoing rhinoplasty, you will undergo blood tests, a cardiology assessment, and, if necessary, a rhinomanometry examination or a CT scan of the facial mass. Avoid any medications that promote bleeding and avoid alcohol the day before the surgery itself.

How is Rhinoplasty Performed?

On the day of the rhinoplasty, you will generally be under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep throughout the procedure. The surgeon will then make incisions, usually inside the nose (closed rhinoplasty) or sometimes on the outside of the nose, along the columella (open rhinoplasty). The incisions allow access to the internal structures of the nose to make the necessary modifications. If you have a wide nose or a prominent nasal tip, the surgeon can reshape the cartilage and bones of the nose to achieve a more harmonious appearance. If your nasal tip is swollen, the surgeon can reduce the swelling by removing excess tissue or reshaping the cartilage.

How to Choose the Ideal Nose

It is possible to get an idea of what the nose you would like to have on your face might look like, thanks to the use of specific software, programs, and web applications that allow you to retouch the appearance of the nose. Obviously, given the three-dimensional structure represented by the nose itself, the retouching is limited to the removal of the bridge and tip. In short, it is possible to have a general idea of the overall possible result and certainly not to rely 100% on what you will see at the end of the operation.

After Rhinoplasty

Healing Time and Convalescence

After the operation, you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours. The patient goes home after rhinoplasty. In rare cases, the surgeon may recommend a stay at the clinic. Most surgeons prescribe antibiotics, analgesics, and steroids after the operation.

The surgeon may recommend cold compresses for 1 or 2 days. Most people choose to stay home for a week, although going out is not discouraged. It is strongly recommended that the patient wear a hat to protect themselves from the sun if they go outside. If there are external sutures, they are usually removed 4 to 5 days after the operation. The external protection is usually removed one week after the operation. The hematoma usually lasts two weeks. Due to wound healing after rhinoplasty, there is moderate movement and settling of the nose in the first year.

How to Clean Your Nose After Rhinoplasty?

After rhinoplasty, it is important to take care of your nose and clean it properly to promote optimal healing. Here are some tips on how to clean your nose after rhinoplasty, taking into account specific keywords.

• Follow your surgeon's instructions: Your surgeon will provide you with specific instructions on cleaning your nose after rhinoplasty. It is essential to follow these instructions to the letter to avoid any complications;
• Use saline solutions: Saline solutions are gentle and non-irritating to the nose. They help remove scabs and keep the nose clean. You can buy ready-made saline solutions at a pharmacy or prepare your own solution by mixing non-iodized salt in warm water. Use a needleless syringe or spray bottle to apply the saline solution into each nostril;
• Be gentle: When cleaning your nose, be gentle to avoid excessive pressure or trauma. Avoid rubbing or scratching your nose, as this could disrupt the healing process. Use gentle, light movements to apply the saline solution and remove scabs;
• Clean regularly: Clean your nose regularly as recommended by your surgeon. This may include several times a day during the first few weeks after surgery. As your nose heals, the frequency of cleanings can be reduced;
• Avoid touching your nose: It is necessary not to touch or manipulate your nose after rhinoplasty, as this can introduce bacteria and disrupt the healing process. Also avoid blowing your nose forcefully. If you need to blow your nose, do so gently and with soft pressure;
• Consult your surgeon if you have concerns: If you have any concerns about cleaning your nose after rhinoplasty or if you experience unusual symptoms such as severe pain, excessive bleeding, or possible infection, contact your surgeon immediately;

Nose cleaning after rhinoplasty is an essential part of the recovery period. Follow your surgeon's instructions, use gentle saline solutions, be gentle when cleaning, and avoid touching your nose. If you have any concerns, consult your surgeon for further advice.

What to Do to Not Compromise the Results of Rhinoplasty?

Although the risks associated with this procedure are almost nil, patients who have undergone rhinoplasty only have to follow a few simple guidelines to avoid the possibility of unpleasant accidents. Here are the steps to follow in the postoperative course of a rhinoplasty:

• After rhinoplasty surgery, a friend or family member will take you home and assist you for the first two days following rhinoplasty;
• In the first 24 hours, do not wash your face;
• For the first 48 hours, eat only cold foods; for the first two weeks, eat soft foods to avoid chewing;
• Alcohol is prohibited for the first 21 days. Avoid drugs containing salicylic acid and limit yourself to analgesics;
• Try to limit as much as possible nose blowing and especially sneezing for the first 30-40 days;
• Avoid smoking: smoking delays healing;
• Do not expose yourself to the sun for the first month and a half;
• If possible, avoid wearing makeup until the surgeon tells you to resume your normal activities;
• Avoid exercising for at least 30 days after surgery. Walking is rather recommended, as walking reduces the possibility of clot formation and decreases swelling;

Please contact your surgeon or general practitioner when you notice any of these symptoms:

• Increased bruising;
• Persistent redness around the incision;
• Presence of pus in the surgical area;
• Presence of bleeding;
• Loss of sensitivity;
• Presence of acute pain;
• High fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting;

Rhinoplasty Results

What to Expect from Rhinoplasty?

Patients who go to an experienced cosmetic surgeon for rhinoplasty normally try to achieve a result as natural as possible.

The optimal result is one in which, once the dressing is removed, the patient perfectly recognizes themselves in this face with a "modified" nose and does not fear that their friends and acquaintances will think, upon meeting them, that they have had a nose job.

The Aesthetic Change After Rhinoplasty

The ideal change is one that does not show that the patient has undergone rhinoplasty surgery. Ideally, in fact, no one should notice that the patient has had surgery, and to achieve this, the result must be absolutely natural and proportionate to the features and characteristics of the face.There are obviously "extreme" cases (such as a particularly obvious bump) in which it is really difficult to hide the result of the operation. But in the latter case, generally the pleasure of a harmonious face far outweighs the annoyance of the judgment of others.

The advantages of rhinoplasty can be enormous! When we have improved our physical appearance, we feel more confident, both in our social interactions and in our professional journeys, and this is true for both men and women. Rhinoplasty can improve a person's overall appearance and how they are perceived by others, giving them greater self-confidence.

Rhinoplasty Does Not Only Have an Aesthetic Function

Not all rhinoplasties are performed for aesthetic reasons. Rhinoplasty can correct structural abnormalities. One of the most common conditions that can be corrected by this surgery is a deviated nasal septum. Rhinoplasty can also be performed to correct trauma, congenital malformations, or breathing problems. In this case, we will perform a septorhinoplasty.

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