Whether you struggle to breathe or simply don’t like the way your nose looks, the decision to have rhinoplasty should not be taken lightly. The first half of the journey actually needs to include sourcing the money, finding an excellent surgeon and choosing the ideal shape. There’s also more than one type of procedure available.
Your new design is going to influence all of these pending choices. Therefore, before you get your heart set on Jennifer Aniston’s nose, take a minute to refresh yourself on the steps needed to achieve that result.
On the Surface
Changing such a prominent feature on one’s face can really alter your appearance, so when it comes to surgery, doctors should always recommend the least invasive possibility. To achieve your desired results, you may have to undergo a combination of rhinoplasty procedures:
- Open – This operation requires making an incision in the middle of the nose for access to the internal cartilage. It’s ideal for those who wish to correct a bulbous, protruding tip or irregular shaping. As the final look is easy to predict, doctors recommend this option most often.
- Augmentation – If you’re looking to increase the size of your nose in certain parts, surgeons can implant cartilage into the desired area.
- Closed – For the removal of large bumps or major reshaping, this procedure involves making small incisions within the nostrils. Once the doctor is inside, he or she can remove excess soft tissue and alter the cartilage to your desired contour. Many surgeons prefer this method, because it reduces the risk of visible scarring.
- Septoplasty – When you have trouble breathing due to a crooked nasal passage, it can be rectified by straightening your nose’s midline or by removing the middle cartilage altogether.
- Alar base reduction – This involves resizing the width of your nostrils and is normally done in conjunction with other procedures. For instance, if you’ve had a standard reduction, you would need to alter the rest of the nose so that it doesn’t look out of place.
Back for More
Some patients may need to undergo additional or revision surgery. There are several reasons why this may be the case, including:
- Poor healing
- Botched procedures
- Reduced airway function
- Caved cartilage
However, before making the decision to have revision surgery, you have to allow your healing process to end, which can take up to 12 weeks. The nose can change completely within that time. Its final appearance might not be distinguishable before then.
Taking the Plunge
Before opting to have rhinoplasty, take into account all aspects of the procedure. We don’t recommend just focusing on the end result. Consult with several doctors and see which one you feel the most comfortable with, and who gives you the best surgical advice.