Rhinoplasty
With its central location, the size and shape of the nose tend to define your entire profile. As one of the most prominent facial features, the nose is integral to your facial symmetry and can determine the proportions of your whole face. A straight, evenly proportioned nose can subtly complement your look, while a nose that is too big, too wide, asymmetrical or deformed can overshadow your appearance and prevent you from feeling and looking your best.
Nose reshaping surgery, also known as rhinoplasty, can be performed for both aesthetic and functional reasons. By making even subtle adjustments to the size, shape or contour of the nose, Dr Damon Thomas can restore a much more balanced look to the entire face while enhancing your breathing ability. In a single surgery, rhinoplasty produces long-lasting and dramatic results that can transform your look and restore confidence in your appearance.
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, or cosmetic nose surgery, is designed to reshape or modify the nose in harmony with each patient’s unique facial structure. This procedure may also be performed for medical reasons. For example, a deviated septum that is interfering with your breathing can be straightened during this procedure. Dr Thomas will assess your specific situation to determine what type of correction is necessary to improve both the function and the appearance of the nose. All your concerns can be addressed simultaneously in a single procedure to save on cost and ensure the most convenient and satisfying treatment experience.
Candidates for Nose Surgery
The best candidates for nose surgery may have any of the following concerns:
- A nose that is too big in proportion to the rest of the face
- A prominent concave or bump on the bridge of the nose
- A nasal tip that is too rounder 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 whether nose surgery is the right choice to help you meet your aesthetic goals. With the ability to customise the procedure to your unique needs, Dr Thomas can address a wide range of concerns and perform a variety of corrections to help you achieve your desired look. If you were unhappy with the results of a previous surgery, Dr Thomas could also make the necessary revisions to produce the aesthetic results you initially hoped to achieve.
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 tweaking the nose for cosmetic benefits. In your consultation, he will work with you to determine which method will best address your concerns and how to create a nose that is aesthetically ideal for your face and features.
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 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 not noticeable. This approach also 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 best 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 shape 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.
Preparing for Rhinoplasty
Your in-person consultation will be crucial for helping Dr Thomas understand your needs and aesthetic goals. During this appointment, Dr Thomas will evaluate your facial structure and how the nose sits in harmony with your other features and proportions. Based on this analysis, he will design a treatment plan detailing the techniques and corrections required to perform your rhinoplasty. To ensure you feel comfortable and ready, Dr Thomas will 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 create the desired 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 ensure there are no 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