Rhinoplasty & Nose Contouring

Are you a candidate for a Rhinoplasty?

You may be an ideal candidate for rhinoplasty if your problems are related to one or more key features of the nose. Complaints regarding aesthetic issues like wide or drooping nostrils, nasal bumps, and large nose tips can be corrected through nose reshaping surgery. The procedure not only fixes cosmetic problems but also internal ones related to troublesome breathing as well. Our approach involves treating the interior and exterior of the nose, making treatment an ideal solution to a wide range of problems. In Canada, there is no age restriction for rhinoplasty in Ontario. We always suggest that our patients are in proper physical health, this helps in the recovery aspect and having realistic expectations of your procedure.

What a Rhinoplasty can treat

• Fixing Nasal Asymmetry
• Improve the relation of your Nose to facial balance
• Straight a crooked nose
• Nose’s with visible humps or depressions on the bridge of the nose
• Nose width at the bridge or in the size and position of the nostrils
• Bulbous, drooping, enlarged, or hooked nasal tips
• Nostrils that are large, wide, or upturned
• Nasal asymmetry

If you desire a more symmetrical nose, keep in mind that everyone’s face is asymmetric and different to some degree. The final outcome may not be perfectly symmetrical, although the goal is to create facial balance and correct proportion.

Customizing Your “Nose Job”

The nose reshaping process is complex and delicate. As a result, your initial consultation will involve a thorough discussion of what you’d like your nose to look like. Some patients find that bringing pictures of noses they like also helps illustrate their expectations. This can help to identify exactly what you want in advance, so that your surgery reshapes your nose the way you desire.

Since your nose is one of the facial features most responsible for determining what you look like, he is extremely careful to preserve its best features while subtly correcting problem areas. The rhinoplasty procedure typically requires small changes to the nose. These usually include widening and strengthening the nasal bones, correcting the extent to which the bridge projects, defining the tip of the nose, and altering its length (or nasolabial angle). He may also reduce the general size of the nose, remove unsightly nasal humps, or narrow the nostrils as part of the surgery.

Every precaution is taken before, during, and after the rhinoplasty procedure in order to ensure an exceptional outcome for you. A careful approach, combined with our experienced doctors and experience, makes it possible for you to enjoy an improved, natural-looking nose that contributes to the overall balance of all of your facial features.

Types of Rhinoplasty

Open Rhinoplasty vs Closed Rhinoplasty

There are two primary approaches to rhinoplasty: “closed” or “open”. These refer to the manner by which the surgeon accesses the nose’s skeletal framework, where adjustments are made to achieve the desired expectations of the patient. Both approaches have unique advantages and disadvantages that are carefully considered before planning the procedure.

Closed or Endonasal Rhinoplasty

A closed rhinoplasty takes its name from the limited amount of operating area exposure provided to the surgeon. All incisions are placed inside the nostrils. There are no visible scars, which is the biggest advantage of this approach. The downside is that repositioning the skin of the nose is difficult due to the fact that the nostril incisions cannot be connected. This makes it necessary for the surgeon to work in a small area without much visibility. Stretching and distortion of the nasal cartilage can also occur when gaining surgical access to the skeletal framework.

Open or External Rhinoplasty 

Open rhinoplasty broadens the operating area with the creation of a small incision that bridges those made in each nostril. This connected incision allows Dr. Brown to fold the nasal skin upward and more easily see the skeleton of the lower nose. While the external approach leaves behind a tiny visible scar (usually measuring a couple of millimeters) it also makes it possible to perform the operation without the risk of distorting the nose’s cartilage. The other main advantage is that the structure of the surgical site is undisturbed and can be adjusted with greater precision.

Pros and Cons 

Some patients (particularly those with straightforward nasal anatomy) can be treated through closed rhinoplasty, enjoying an improved appearance without scarring. However, the open approach is preferred. The advantages of a clearly visible operating area can lead to aesthetic results that outweigh the minor problem of a visible, but tiny, scar.

Using the open technique allows for the treatment of complex deformities and intricate issues, such as twisted noses, cleft lips, or post-rhinoplasty complications. These tend to be difficult to correct using a closed approach. In addition, the open approach is better suited for the correction of the nose tip since it causes so little damage to the internal structures of the area and achieves long-lasting results. For these reasons, the open approach is the preferred rhinoplasty approach in the majority of cases.

Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty Surgery

Septoplasty is a form of rhinoplasty that targets the nasal septum, the wall that separates the two nostrils (nasal passages).

The Septum

The septum provides structural support to the nose so that it can project from the face. Constructed from cartilage and bone with a mucus membrane cover, it also serves to direct airflow in and out of the body.

The primary goal of septoplasty is to correct a septum that is displaced to one side. Known as a deviated septum, this condition causes one nasal passage to be smaller than the other. In some cases, this can be so prominent that it inhibits the passage of air through the smaller, compressed nostril, making it difficult to breathe. A deviated septum may be present at birth, develop naturally, or be caused by trauma to the nose.

While a perfectly straight septum is rare, for some individuals any deviation can cause both functional and aesthetic concerns. Breathing difficulty and an undesirable nose contour may be reasons why septoplasty is performed.

Septoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis at GraceMed | Briarwood and takes about one to two hours to perform, depending on the extent of the correction requested. Your surgery typically involves an incision placed inside the nose. For this reason, the resulting scar is located discreetly inside the nose.

Following your surgery, you’ll recover for a few hours in our recovery room under the watchful eye of your GraceMed Surgeon, our anesthetist, and nurses. Once discharged, you’ll be able to continue your recovery in the comfort of your own home. Medications may be prescribed to help ease discomfort, and the tenderness and swelling you’ll experience as common side effects of surgery will gradually subside within two weeks or so. GraceMed will provide you with post-care instructions that you should follow to facilitate your recovery.

Rhinoplasty Aftercare and Recovery

When you first return home from your rhinoplasty your nose will probably look and feel worse before it begins to get better. You’ll experience bruising, swelling, numbness, congestion, and a certain degree of pain. Your nose may also appear crooked or generally uneven at first. A nasal splint is used to help the nose keep its shape during healing and needs to stay in place until removed. In some cases, you may also have packing or internal splints in order to keep the septum in place.

Pain will range from moderate to severe for two to ten days, but prescribed medication will help you feel better. While the entire nose will slowly regain normal sensation, the tip may be numb for several weeks. Any swelling or bruising will diminish over one to six weeks if the closed rhinoplasty technique was performed. If you were treated with the open technique, these issues may linger for one to six months. GraceMed surgeons will tell you if any nasal bones were broken during the surgery. If this is the case, then the degree of bruising and swelling you experience will be more severe and take longer to subside.

Everyone heals differently, but, as a general rule, the optimal results of surgery may become apparent in as little as three months, while in some cases it may take up to two years. Despite this, most people return to their normal schedule after only three to four days. After a few weeks, makeup can be used to conceal any lingering bruising.

Guidelines for a safe recovery 

If you require glasses you should plan to wear contact lenses during recovery. If this isn’t possible, your glasses must be propped onto the cheeks or taped to the forehead in order to avoid damaging the delicate bones of the nose. This will be necessary until the nose is completely healed after six to seven weeks.

During this period of time, it’s extremely important to avoid doing any activity that causes the nose to move. This includes not only touching and blowing your nose, but exercise as well. You should plan to wait ten to fourteen days before working out and at least six weeks before swimming. Direct sun exposure must also be minimized for at least two weeks. Sunblock should be worn through the first three to four months. Report excessive bleeding or increased pain to your GracMed team immediately if either occurs during the first days of recovery.

Tips for a speedy recovery 

There are a number of ways that you can help speed up your recovery process. It’s a good idea to apply either cold or warm compresses (usually cold for the first day and warm afterward), use a humidifier and saline nasal spray for two weeks, and keep your head elevated while sleeping. Elevating the head at night—and avoiding bending over during the day—helps minimize swelling.

You should allow your stomach to fully settle after the surgery by eating only broth, thin soup, juice, and water. These foods should be eaten around the time your medication is taken in order to avoid upsetting your stomach. Vomiting hurts the nose while it’s healing, so it’s important to take care during the healing process and only return to a normal diet once your stomach has completely settled.

Interested in other facial surgical options?

Generally, most people who have this procedure are extremely happy – A Rhinoplasty has a 91% “Worth It” rating on RealSelf.