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Rhinoplasty in Melbourne

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

What to Expect After Surgery

Recovery from rhinoplasty can vary from person to person and can depend on the extent of the surgery. 

Here is a general timeline for rhinoplasty recovery:

First Week After Surgery:

  • Immediately after surgery, patients will have a splint placed on their nose to protect it and keep it in the desired shape. This splint will stay in place for about a week.
  • Patients may experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort during the first few days after surgery. Pain medication can help manage any discomfort.
  • It is important to rest and avoid any strenuous activity during the first week. Patients should also avoid blowing their nose, as this can cause bleeding.
  • Patients will need to sleep with their head elevated to help reduce swelling.

Second Week After Surgery:

  • The splint will be removed by the surgeon during a follow-up appointment, usually about a week after the surgery.
  • Swelling and bruising will begin to improve, but may still be present.
  • Patients may be able to return to work or school, but should still avoid any strenuous activity.
  • Patients should continue to avoid blowing their nose, and may need to use a saline nasal spray to keep the inside of the nose moist.

Third Week After Surgery:

  • Swelling and bruising should continue to improve, and most patients will begin to feel more comfortable.
  • Patients may be able to resume light exercise, but should still avoid any activities that could cause impact to the nose.
  • Patients may still need to use a saline nasal spray to keep the inside of the nose moist.

Fourth Week After Surgery:

  • Swelling and bruising should be almost completely gone, although some mild swelling may persist.
  • Most patients can resume all normal activities, including exercise and blowing their nose.
  • Patients may still need to use a saline nasal spray to keep the inside of the nose moist.

Several Months After Surgery:

  • While the majority of swelling and bruising should be gone after about a month, it can take several months for all residual swelling to completely resolve.
  • The final results of the rhinoplasty may not be fully visible for several months.
  • It is important to continue to follow the surgeon’s post-operative instructions and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure the best possible outcome.

RHINOPLASTY RESULTS

It may take up to a year for the final results of your rhinoplasty to settle, but the majority of the change will be noticeable around six months. The results are considered permanent, but to ensure that the results of your rhinoplasty last as long as possible, follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully and attend follow-up appointments as directed. Additionally, a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise and avoiding smoking can help you maintain the results of your rhinoplasty over time.

A Note On Results

The results of any medical treatment, aesthetic or otherwise, will affect patients differently based on various individual, genetic, environmental, diet, exercise and other factors. For that reason, you should always expect to see some variance between the results featured and the results you can achieve. What works for one person may not work for another, and each patient’s unique needs and expectations must be considered when determining the best course of action.

Therefore, it is essential to have a thorough consultation with a qualified and experienced medical professional who can help to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on your specific circumstances. It is also important to understand that rhinoplasty is not a quick fix and requires patience and commitment to achieve the desired results.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RHINOPLASTY AND SEPTOPLASTY

Rhinoplasty is designed to correct concerns related to the shape, size and symmetry of the nose. This procedure is suitable for those with an asymmetrical nose, a depression on the bridge or nasal hump, an enlarged or droopy tip, or wide nostrils. Through this surgery, Dr Thomas aims to refine the nose and restore the balance between your unique facial features for a natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing profile.

Septoplasty targets more functional-related concerns within the nose, such as a crooked or deviated septum. Some patients are born with a deviated septum, while others develop this problem as a result of an injury. This issue can cause several other concerns, such as increased congestion, noisy breathing during sleep, or difficulty breathing out of one or both nostrils. A septoplasty is specifically designed to address any internal defects within the septum and nasal cavity to restore proper function. By repairing the inner nasal structure, a septoplasty can reduce congestion and restore two open channels for comfortable breathing and airflow.

If you have both a visibly crooked nose and an internal deformity that affects your breathing, a septoplasty can be performed with rhinoplasty techniques to address both your functional and cosmetic concerns in the same procedure. In a combination treatment, internal flaws can be corrected while the external appearance is also modified for a holistic improvement.

IS RHINOPLASTY RIGHT FOR YOU?

Rhinoplasty patients should be in overall good health with no other medical concerns that may heighten your risk levels. Candidates should also be non-smokers. In your consultation, Dr Thomas will examine your health and medical history to ensure it is safe to proceed with treatment.

The decision to undergo plastic surgery is a highly personal one, and it is important to carefully consider whether the benefits of rhinoplasty align with your goals, as well as whether the potential risks and complications are acceptable to you.

Your plastic surgeon will provide a detailed explanation of the potential risks associated with the surgery, and you will be asked to sign consent forms to indicate that you fully understand the procedure and the potential risks and complications. 

Here is a list of some of the risks:

  • Anaesthesia-related risks
  • Changes in skin sensation 
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Infection
  • Nasal septal perforation 
  • Poor wound healing or scarring
  • Possibility of revision surgery
  • Skin discoloration and swelling
  • Unsatisfactory nasal appearance

CHOOSING YOUR SURGEON

Dr. Damon Thomas has completed his Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in plastic surgery. Beyond his experience and skills, he is passionate about helping you achieve your appearance goals. Having performed rhinoplasty for patients all over Melbourne, he has helped many men and women meet their goals through nose reshaping surgery.

To learn more about the various options in nose surgery, contact Dr Thomas’s offices at Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery on 03 9508 9508 to schedule your personal consultation today.