Rhinoplasty – correction of the nose

The first and most important step

Regardless of whether the reason for the operation is functional (difficulty breathing) or aesthetic, choosing a qualified operator is the most important step in making a decision. A head and neck plastic surgeon is trained to perform nose, ear and throat operations and plastic surgery of the head and neck, which guarantees the safe performance of the operation.

The first and most important step in planning the operation is to examine the nose and assess its relationship to the rest of the face. This includes a detailed consultation where the surgeon must find out your reasons for the operation.

You should think about what really bothers you about your nose and be able to explain it clearly during the consultation. A convenient way is to make a small list. Don’t worry, all surgeons like precision and clear expression 😊.

An accurate and in-depth understanding of your problem, attitude and expectations is an essential part of planning the intervention. After all, the same applies to any other aesthetic surgery. Eg. your surgeon wants confirmation that you are asking for the surgery because YOU want it, not to please someone or something else.

You should also understand that it is not possible to simply take a photo from the Internet and expect it to become your nose. While it is certainly very important to look at photos and imagine what your nose might look like, it is unrealistic to expect a plastic surgeon to “give” you someone else’s nose.

As already commented, the outcome of your surgery may depend on factors such as skin thickness, size of other facial structures, cartilage and bone strength as well as breathing condition prior to surgery.

The thickness and type of skin can affect the success and final appearance of the nose after surgery.

Your functional needs may be a limiting factor in what can be done aesthetically. Additionally, the way the tissue underneath the skin (scar tissue) can affect healing, sometimes in unpredictable ways.

What does your carrier want to hear?

Tell your operator how you want your nose to look, but be open to suggestions and opinions from your doctor if he informs you that your wishes are unrealistic or suggests alternative changes. Eg. most patients want a straight nose in profile, but in some facial configurations a minimal hump can look even better.

Duty and professional standards oblige the operator to answer all your questions. In this way, you get complete information about the possibilities and limitations of rhinoplasty, as well as the mandatory safety for the patient , which must be taken into account when making a decision for or against surgery.

Your operator and you must agree on the goals of the procedure. If you have doubts or additional questions after the consultation, arrange another interview at the Polyclinic or choose a “second opinion” interview with another surgeon, it’s a great way to make everything important fall into place. You should be confident and satisfied with the chosen surgical plan and have realistic expectations of what can and cannot be achieved.

Photography

Photographing and planning the surgical procedure are an integral part of the preoperative preparation. It will be explained to you how the cartilaginous and bony structures of the nose can be shaped to give the nose a new shape and how, for example, reshaping the chin can further improve the desired results.

As part of rhinoplasty planning, photography is done from several viewing angles.

• Profile – shows the relationship between the eyebrows, nose and chin. It allows measurement of projection (how far the tip of the nose goes forward) and rotation (position of the tip of the nose up or down).
• Frontal projection (view from the front) – shows possible curvature of the nose, problems with deviation of the septum (nasal septum). It also shows the width of the nose well.
• Basal projection (from below) – shows the triangular shape of the nasal tip, the width and shape of the nostrils. It also shows the columella (skin between the nostrils).
• Semi-profile (oblique) projection – shows the harmony of the nose with the cheeks and other parts of the face.
• Dynamic projection (when smiling) – assessment of the nose during facial expressions such as laughing.

Some surgeons like the so-called simulations of results, while others draw on printed photographs or explain surgical procedures graphically for patients to understand. Each of these methods is equally valuable, and the surgeon chooses the one he is most comfortable with.

Although computer simulation results can be exactly what you want, it should be remembered that it is only about harmonizing wishes, i.e. surgeon’s preferences when planning the procedure. That picture does not show the result as it will be after the actual surgery.

It should not be forgotten that a good part of rhinoplasty is a matter of aesthetic criteria and the taste of the surgeon. It is part of what is known in the professional literature as the “Art of rhinoplasty” and is a very important part of the concept of rhinoplasty.

Be sure you understand the goals of your prospective carrier! The fact is that there is no such thing as a “perfect” rhinoplasty. Even if a surgeon performs identical surgery on identical twins, there is no guarantee that the noses will look the same. It is always about variations in the long-term healing process.

Ideal age for rhinoplasty

Many questions focus on the minimum or maximum age for surgery.

Aesthetic nose surgery is best done after the physical growth of a young person is over. This usually means 16 years for female, 17-18 for male patients. The exceptions are very severe deformities with difficulty breathing, when surgery can be performed at an earlier age.
On the other side of the age spectrum, rhinoplasty can be performed in the elderly if there are no other medical obstacles. In older people, the cartilage becomes thinner and loses its elasticity, which leads to the “lengthening” of the nose and the fall of the tip of the nose. Then the nose can consequently look more humped than at a younger age. There may also be a decrease in the space inside the nose and difficulty breathing.

All of this can be the subject of additional surgical steps to improve or prevent the problem.