Rhinoplasty Before and After Photos

If you’re unhappy with the size, shape or position of your nose, you may be the ideal candidate for a Rrhino or Rhinoplasty surgery. However Dr Hunt will discuss your situation and suitability for rhinosplasty surgery in detail during your personal one-on-one consultation.

You can choose to go home on either the day of your Rhinoplasty surgery or after an overnight hospital stay. Whichever you choose, you should rest in bed with your head elevated for the first day, and then limit your movements to around the house for the next two to three days. During the first 24 hours your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache and you may have a dull headache. Cold packs and the pain medication prescribed before you left the hospital will help.

You’ll come to see Dr Hunt within the first week after your surgery, so that he can check you’re recovering well and remove any packing, your splint and usually your sutures. You’ll then have regular follow up visits over the next year so that Dr Hunt can ensure you’ve achieved the desired result and that you are recovering nicely.

You should plan on taking two weeks off work to allow a full recovery depending on the physical demands  of your occupation

A rhinoplasty can be performed as a day only surgery, or an overnight stay surgical procedure. On discharge, the patient will need to allow at least two weeks to recover from their nose surgery. The patient will usually experience bruising around the eyes and an external nasal splint is often used to control the positions of the bones until they are healed. After two weeks the patient should easily be able to return to work and undertake normal activities. However, they may not be ready to attend social functions until approximately six weeks after their surgery. It is recommended that a patient should not participate in contact sports until approximately three months following a rhinoplasty.

After a Rhinoplasty, most patients experience very little pain and are able to return home the same day, though bruising and swelling is apparent for approximately five days. This will vary depending on how complex the surgery is. You will be expected to wear a dressing with a splint, as well as bandages, to protect your nose for a week; these can then be removed. Patients will be able to embrace their new look three to four weeks after surgery.

There are two different types of Rhinoplasty surgery, both used for very different reasons. These are called the open and closed approach and both should be discussed at your consultation. Each nose procedure comes with their positives and negatives which should all be highlighted, to ensure that you are happy and that the result is both balanced and aesthetically pleasing.

• Open Rhinoplasty surgery has a small incision made along the bridge of tissue between the nostrils. As this is as small as possible, the incision is usually unnoticeable after the recovery period. Alterations to the tip of the nose, reconstruction work and those with severe breathing difficulties will be recommended to have open approach surgery.
• Closed Rhinoplasty surgery is where no external incisions are made. Instead, all incisions are within the nose, meaning there will be no scars on the exterior. This procedure is used predominately to aid with minor breathing difficulties.

An open rhinoplasty involves an incision in the columella – the piece of skin that runs between the two nostrils. It allows the skin to be separated from the cartilage and gives the surgeon better access to the nose. An open rhinoplasty is more frequently performed than it was in the past as it has been shown to have a lower rate of revision. A closed rhinoplasty has no incisions of the external nose, which is an advantage as this means there is a relatively small scar. However, this method can have a higher revision rate than open rhinoplasty. As a result most surgeons today tend to perform open rhinoplasties.

If a patient is concerned about the symmetry of their face then a rhinoplasty combined with a genioplasty could be considered. The balance between the middle third and lower third of the face are often corrected by a rhinoplasty addressing the nose in the middle third of the face and a genioplasty addressing the projection of the chin point in the lower third of the face. In a proportion of patients, the two procedures are combined to correct a weak lower third of the face with a recessed chin at the same time as correcting a particularly large nose. This combination achieves the best correction of balance between the middle and lower third in this patient.

There are a number of reasons why someone would consider nose surgery, ranging from breathing problems to disliking the shape of their nose to wanting their face to be more in proportion.

There are 2 key types of Nose problems:

1. Cosmetic – External nasal deformity patients – patients with nose shape problems

Patients in this category will often be unhappy with the shape of their nose or they may have suffered a trauma to the nose, causing a deformity. If a person is unhappy with the shape of their nose then a rhinoplasty will address any disproportion in the nose, such as a hump or deformity. The nose will be brought into balance with the height and width of the middle third and lower third of the face.

During a rhinoplasty, consultation measurements will be made of the dimensions of the middle and lower third of the face which will be kept as a guide for the ideal length and projection of the nose. Where the nose does not meet these ideal lengths and projections, changes can be planned through a rhinoplasty to achieve a good balance and more harmonious proportion to the face. Proportion is the basis of all rhinoplasty procedures and is the key to achieving a balanced aesthetic result.

2. Functional – Airway obstruction – patients with breathing issues

Nasal airway obstruction can be a problem the patient was born with or as a result of trauma to the nose. In cases where the nose is deviated, there can be an obstruction to breathing and this can be corrected through a rhinoplasty, septoplasty, turbinate reduction or a combination of these procedures to improve breathing. These patients are more likely to get a Medicare Item Number and a subsidy from Private Health Insurance. May also be able to get early release of their Super to pay for surgery.

In some instances, Medicare will recognise the need for a patient to undergo a rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty. The nose is divided into the external nose which is visible and the internal nose which is the passage for breathing. If there is a medical issue such as a post-traumatic deformity to the nose, Medicare will recognise the medical need to perform a rhinoplasty. In cases where there is obstruction to the nasal airway in the internal nose Medicare may recognise the need to perform a septoplasty or turbinate reduction to improve nasal breathing. As these examples are recognised as medical procedures there will be a Medicare rebate associated with them. Health funds will also potentially contribute to (if not cover) hospital costs depending on the level of cover.

Many people assume that rhinoplasty is a minor surgery because the nose is small. However, the answer is no. The nose is a very important organ of the human respiratory system. And you can face many problems if the surgery isn’t done correctly. Always choose an experienced nose surgeon.

In most cases, it’s not too painful. The patients have some swelling and a tender nose. Sometimes, there can be a bit of bleeding, too. However, Dr Hunt will explain pain management and prescribe you medications. You just have to follow instructions.

A nose job can certainly change the shape of your face, and alterations in nasal airflow can lead to a change in the voice. The more airflow there is through the nose, the less “nasal” the sound of the voice.

If you’re younger than 18 in men and 16 in girls the face may not have fully developed and for this reason it is best to wait until you are older.

As with so many things in life, the answer to this question is that it depends on a lot of factors. Some procedures last a very long time. In fact, most patients’ noses don’t change much at all after surgery. Others change significantly for the better. Also, with age, your nose will lose some of its volume.

For most nose jobs, breathing through your nose is fine, though straight after surgery the nasal passages will often be swollen so airflow may be limited. This will improve in the weeks after surgery as swelling settles.

Rhinoplasty is generally safe, but like any other surgery, it does carry some risks. You may experience the following complications:

• Bleeding– A small amount of bleeding is normal after surgery, but if you’re still bleeding several days after surgery, contact the medical team
• Infection– If you develop a fever and notice swelling or redness at the level of the face, you might have an infection
• Reaction to anaesthesia– Some people have allergies or adverse reactions to the anaesthesia used during surgery
• Nasal septum perforation (hole in the septum)- Occasionally, the tissue that separates the two sides of your nose can become perforated as a result of a rhinoplasty procedure. This can lead to chronic runny nose and nosebleeds and may require additional surgery to correct
• Unsatisfactory results– Despite your best efforts to communicate what you want from surgery, you might not be satisfied with the final outcome of rhinoplasty. In some cases, revision surgery might be necessary to improve the results of your procedure

Find out more details in risks of plastic surgery page.

• Tip Rhinoplasty – Mini Nose Job
• Septoplasty – Septum Surgery
• Alaryplasty – Nostril Surgery
• Turbinoplasty – Turbinate Reduction Surgery

Yes. It’s called tip plasty, tip rhinoplasty or tip reshaping surgery. It’s surgery to specifically modify the shape of your nasal tip. It can make it smaller, narrower, more or less projecting, wider, pointier, or rounder. It can lift the nose tip or bring it down.

Nasal tip reshaping surgery is regarded as permanent. If the results are satisfactory, you will not need any future revision surgery. That being said, nose surgery is complex and you need a nose  surgery expert.

Tip swelling usually peaks about 3-5 days after tip reshaping surgery. After that, it starts to decrease gradually until it becomes barely noticeable by 4-6 weeks.

A nasal lift, or tip reshaping surgery, is as safe as any other type of nose reshaping surgery. Liek all surgery,  itcan have complications that are usually easily manageable.

Yes. Tip rhinoplasty can reduce the size of the nasal tip. It can reshape it, and make it smaller.

This means that the cartilage forming the nasal tip is overgrown or deviated. Tip rhinoplasty allows Dr Hunt to shave off the excess bulging cartilage. This achieves smooth continuity between your tip, nasal bridge, and the rest of your nose. No obvious bumps and splits.

This is when the tip of the nose is wide, large, and broad. A boxy nasal tip might appear split from the rest of the nose, with clearly demarcated borders. Nasal tip rhinoplasty can help fix a boxy nose.

Rhinoplasty Risks and Safety | American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Rhinoplasty Preparation | American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Rhinoplasty Risks and Safety | American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Rhinoplasty Tip-shaping Surgery – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

Things I wish I had been taught about rhinoplasty

No. Deviated septum surgery is regarded as permanent. However, if you sustain trauma to the nose after your surgery, then you might develop a deviated septum again. Keep in mind that even if the septum does not deviate again, the symptoms may still recur. Studies show that 25% of patients still have some nasal symptoms after septoplasty.

Yes. Many patients with previously nasal voices report that their voices have changed after getting their septum straightened and fixed.

Septal deviation correction can be life-changing. It can restore your ability to breathe seamlessly through your nose. It will reduce symptoms of nasal stuffiness, obstruction, difficulty breathing, and congestion. Moreover, it can also change the way your nose looks.

It’s recommended that you sleep on your back with your head elevated after septoplasty.

Septoplasty is not a characteristically painful procedure. As with any procedure, there is some pain involved. Routine painkillers are usually enough to keep the pain under control.

The symptoms of a deviated septum may worsen with time. Nasal obstruction, congestion, and sinusitis can become a vicious cycle. The more obstruction you have, the more likely you are to develop sinusitis, leading to even more obstruction.

If it’s needed. An over projecting septum can be a cause of a long nose. A Septoplasty can shorten your nose if required. It’s usually combined with other techniques to reshape the whole nose.

The nasal deviation is not likely to be a life-threatening medical condition. You can live your whole life without getting it fixed. Nevertheless, leaving septal deviation untreated can lead to worsening nasal symptoms.

It’s normal for the upper gums and teeth to hurt after septoplasty. Some of the nerves that supply this area might be over-sensitive for a while after the surgery.

Yes. A deviated septum can block one side of your nose and cause snoring. Septoplasty may help reduce your snoring.

Nasal stents, if used by Dr Hunt, should remain 1-2 weeks in the nose before being removed.

Splint removal after septoplasty is not especially painful. However, it might be a bit uncomfortable.

Yes. Gentle movement and walking is encouraged after septoplasty. Jogging and running should be postponed till much later in the recovery. Ask your surgeon for recovery instructions.

Deviated septum can be a result of a developmental disorder, trauma during childbirth, or trauma during childhood or adulthood. Genetics may also play a part.

Septoplasty is regarded a safe procedure as it does not involve extensive tissue manipulation. Nevertheless, all surgery has risks and complications may occur:

• Septum perforation – a hole forms in the septum. It might need surgical correction. 
• Unsatisfactory nose shape 
• Persistence of nasal symptoms, obstruction, stuffiness 
• Trouble breathing 
• Persistent nose bleed 
• Decreased sense of smell 

Dr Hunt will cover your risks and complications during the consultation as part of the informed consent process.

Although the rate of complications is rare with septal correction surgery, you can still minimize it even more. You should choose a plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing nose reshaping surgery and septoplasty.  

• Septoplasty: Basic and Advanced Techniques
• Septoplasty – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
• Complications and management of septoplasty
• Septoplasty for nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum in adults: a systematic review
• Septoplasty is a proven and effective procedure: an expert’s view of a burning issue
• Septoplasty: long-term evaluation of results

• Rhinoplasty – Nose Reshaping
• Tip Rhinoplasty – Mini Nose Job
• Alaryplasty – Nostril Surgery
• Turbinoplasty – Turbinate Reduction Surgery