Rhinoplasty
As one of the most prominent facial features, the nose is integral to your facial symmetry and can influence the proportions of your whole face.
Nose reshaping surgery, also known as rhinoplasty, can be performed for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Dr. Damon Thomas can make subtle adjustments to the size, shape or contour of your nose.
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is designed to reshape or modify the nose for both medical / functional and cosmetic reasons. Medical reasons include a deviated nose following trauma, or a deviated septum that is interfering with your breathing.
Dr Thomas will assess your specific situation to determine what type of correction can improve both the function and the appearance of the nose. In many cases, all concerns can be addressed simultaneously in a single procedure.
Candidates for Nose Surgery
- A nose that is too big in proportion to the rest of the face
- A prominent dip or bump on the bridge of the nose
- A nasal tip that is too rounded or pointed
- An internal defect that interferes with breathing, such as a deviated septum
- A nose that is crooked or asymmetrical due to injury
Dr Thomas will evaluate your situation to determine the best surgical plan moving forwards for either a primary or redo rhinoplasty.
Options in Nose Surgery
Depending on your needs and unique facial structure, Dr Thomas may use one of two techniques for your nose surgery. As a highly personalised surgery, rhinoplasty can be performed for various purposes, from reconstructing the nose due to breathing problems to adjusting the nose for cosmetic benefits. In your consultation, he will work with you to determine which method is best suited.
CLOSED RHINOPLASTY
During closed nose surgery, Dr Thomas keeps all the incisions inside the nasal cavity, so there are no visible scars after the procedure. While the lack of external scarring is a benefit, this approach does limit access to the nasal cartilage and internal structures, which makes it more difficult to reshape specific areas. Therefore, this option is more suitable for those with more structural concerns related to the septum or the bridge of the nose.
OPEN RHINOPLASTY
Open nose surgery uses the same internal incisions but involves an additional incision on the tissue underneath the nose that divides the nostrils, known as the columella. While this technique does leave a visible scar on the columella, the incision is small and hidden underneath the nose, so it is relatively inconspicuous. This approach allows for greater access, as well as more control and detail, when extensive correction is required. Patients seeking to correct the tip of the nose will require open rhinoplasty.
Dr Thomas will determine the most appropriate technique for your surgery based on the amount of correction required and where the correction will be placed. During some operations, grafting of cartilage is necessary to create the strength and contour desired for the new nose shape. In most cases, Dr Thomas will try to use autologous grafts taken from the nasal septum. However, when this is not a suitable option, grafts may be removed from the ear or rib to create the desired effect, or donor cartilage may be used.
PREPARING FOR RHINOPLASTY
Your in-person consultation will evaluate your nose and facial structure. A treatment plan will be formulated detailing the techniques and corrections required to perform your rhinoplasty.
To ensure you feel comfortable and ready, Dr Thomas will describe the risks and benefits of rhinoplasty and give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your surgery. He may also advise you to organise transportation to and from the appointment, as well as a caregiver to be with you for the first one to two days.
ABOUT THE PROCEDURE
Nose surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia and takes between one to three hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the procedure and extent of correction required. Incisions will be carefully placed to allow for access to the internal structures where the corrections will be made. Bone and cartilage are either removed or grafted in to improve the nasal shape and proportions. If the septum needs to be straightened or otherwise repaired, this can also be done during the surgery.
After your procedure is completed, you will move to recovery for a short time to monitor for complications related to the anaesthesia or excessive bleeding after surgery. Some patients may spend the night in hospital before going home, particularly if other procedures were performed at the same time as the rhinoplasty. Once you are released to go home, you will likely have a dressing on top of your nose and splints inside to help hold the new shape of the nose as it begins to heal.
See Before and Afters