Rhinoplasty

People may seek this surgery to correct either aesthetic or functional issues, depending on the patient. As every patient has different reasons for seeking surgery, we will tailor your procedure to suit your goals and preferences.

The nose is the centremost facial feature, and slight changes in the shape can significantly impact a person’s general appearance. It is important to seek a trained professional to perform your procedure. Highly skilled plastic surgeon, Dr Jeremy Richardson, will ensure that you get the appropriate treatment for your individual case.

What to Expect During Your Consultation

Every rhinoplasty is different, depending on the patient’s health, natural nose shape, and preferred outcomes. Due to this, you will need to meet with Dr Richardson for a consultation before proceeding.

During this meeting, you will discuss your medical past and any current health issues. It is also important to bring up any medications you are taking. This will help us evaluate your condition and ensure you are a good candidate. Generally, good candidates are people who have completed their facial growth, are physically healthy, and do not have medical issues that would interfere with healing.

We will also discuss your reasons for seeking surgery and what you hope to achieve. Once we have discussed your health, as well as your goals for surgery, we will begin outlining your surgical treatment plan. This is also the best time to ask any questions or raise any concerns in order to be fully informed about the process. After your private consultation, you should have a clear idea of what the process involves, including what to expect during recovery.

The Procedure

Surgery can take anywhere from two to five hours, depending on the extent of the procedure and methods used. It is performed under general anesthesia in order to give patients a comfortable experience. During the procedure, Dr Richardson may use a number of surgical techniques. For example, patients who wish to add volume to the nose may need a cartilage graft taken from a different area of the body. You can discuss which techniques are best for your case during your personal consultation.

There are two general approaches to this surgery. Open rhinoplasty involves an incision on the outer nose, in the space between the nostrils, called the columella. This type of incision may be required in more complex surgeries, as it allows your Dr Richardson more access to the inner structures of the nose. In comparison, closed rhinoplasty is less invasive. It involves small, carefully placed incisions on the inner side of the nose. Unlike the open technique, the closed approach does not leave visible scarring.

Once the incisions have been made, Dr Richardson will use specialised tools to reshape the cartilage in order to achieve the desired size and shape. The nose can be adjusted, reduced, or built up, according to the patient’s needs and ideals. Dr Richardson then closes the incisions using sutures. The result is a permanently altered nose shape that compliments the other facial features.

Cost of Rhinoplasty Surgery

The fees for surgery can vary widely between patients. It can depend on several factors, such as the experience of the surgeon, the extent of the surgery, and hospital fees. More in-depth surgeries, or surgeries that involve cartilage grafts, may be more costly than less extensive procedures. We will also need to take into account the cost of anaesthesia, medicine, and aftercare. All of these things can have an impact on the overall fee. Due to the personal nature of the surgery, we will need to discuss your condition and ideal outcomes in order to provide more information.

Nose surgery is normally done for cosmetic reasons and is not considered necessary from a medical standpoint. For this reason, most patients will not be able to receive Medicare rebates for their surgery. We can answer further questions or concerns about fees during your first appointment.

Aftercare

After surgery, most people have some amount of pain and swelling. You may also have some bruising around the nose and eyes. We can prescribe oral painkillers to help you manage these side effects and begin your recovery.

Taking care of your operated site after rhinoplasty surgery is almost as important as the surgery itself. It is vital to follow the aftercare instructions given by Dr Richardson in order to promote healthy and efficient healing. For example, patients may need to wear wound dressings and a splint during the first week. Your at-home care advice may also include:

• Do not blow your nose
• Avoid making large facial expressions
• Take care not to bump or further injure the nose
• Brush your teeth gently
• Advise Dr Richardson of any issues
• Sleep on your back with your head slightly raised
• Refrain from strenuous activities like heavy lifting and exercise

The swelling and bruising around the eyes usually last for around two to three weeks. However, swelling of the nose will take longer to subside. Due to the time it takes for the nose to heal, patients will usually be able to see the full results of their surgery after one year. Although it can take time to fully recover from rhinoplasty surgery, after the area fully heals, patients are left with a permanently improved nose shape.

Most patients can expect the following timeline for their recovery:

• Bruising and swelling around the eyes and nose for the first week
• Swelling should largely reduce after about two weeks
• Return to a desk job after one to two weeks
• Resume exercise and strenuous activity after six weeks
• Full recovery after about one year

Risks and Complications

Like every procedure, there are risks associated with this surgery. You should be aware of the risks before pursuing surgery on this delicate area of the body. This will help you weigh your options in order to make a confident decision. Possible risks of rhinoplasty include:

• Bleeding and infection
• Lasting pain and swelling
• Reactions to anaesthesia
• Unwanted results
• Asymmetry
• Scarring
• Nasal blockage
• Further surgery

You can reduce your risks by choosing a skilled surgeon such as Dr Richardson to perform your nose surgery. Additionally, you should be sure to follow your at-home care instructions. This will help your nose heal properly and reduce your risk of healing issues. If you notice any severe or lasting side effects, contact Dr Richardson or seek medical attention.