Rhinoplasty

Plastic surgery procedure to reshape the nose, or remove an obstruction to breathing

Parts of the Body Involved

Nose, including nasal cartilage, bone, and mucous membrane of the septum

Reasons for Procedure

To change or improve appearance
To open blocked nasal passages
To correct an injury or birth deformity

Risk Factors for Complications during the Procedure

Smoking (no smoking allowed 2-4 weeks before surgery)
Age; the recommended age is after teen growth spurts and before middle age
Prior nose surgery

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

You may be asked to provide the surgeon with a picture of the nose shape you desire, or you may be given a book to look through to choose a nose shape.

Your doctor will likely do the following:

Blood tests
Urine tests
X-rays of the facial bones
Take "before" pictures of your nose

During Procedure

Outcome

Expect swelling and bruising to worsen over the first several days after the surgery, and then to begin slowly improving. You can also expect some bleeding from the nose, headache, and a feeling of nasal congestion. Once the swelling and bruising have diminished, expect full healing in about 3-4 weeks. Your facial appearance will be changed, and if surgery was done to correct a breathing obstruction, your symptoms should be alleviated.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting