How is rhinoplasty performed?

The technique used for your surgery depends not only on your surgeons preferences, but also on your desired results. Alterations may be made to increase or decrease the nasal bridge, reduce the size or width of the nose, narrow the nostrils, reshape the tip, or change the angle between the nose and the upper lip.

Plastic surgeons may perform rhinoplasty from within the nose, making the incision inside the nostrils. This is called a "closed rhinoplasty."Other times, a surgeon prefers an "open" procedure, in which a small incision is made across the columella, the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils, as well as within the nose.

Working through these incisions, the nose's framework of bone and cartilage is sculpted to the desired shape. Your surgeon may reshape or reposition the bones in your nose, or build up certain areas, using either nasal cartilage or bones and cartilage from another body site, or other materials. The skin and soft tissue are then redraped over the reshaped framework. If the lower part of the nose is being narrowed or the nostrils are being reduced, small wedges of skin at the base of the nostrils may be removed through incisions that are hidden in the nose's natural creases.

How will I learn about the safety of nasal surgery?

Each year, thousands of people undergo cosmetic surgery of the nose and experience no major complications. However, it is important for you to be informed of the risks as well as the benefits. One of the most important parts of your consultation is the discussion that you and your surgeon will have about the possible complications of nasal surgery. In addition to listening carefully to what your surgeon tells you, be sure to raise any questions that you may have about the safety of the procedure.

By following your surgeon's advice and instructions carefully--both before and after surgery-you can do your part to minimize some of the risks.

What can I do to prepare for my surgery?

When the date for your procedure has been set, your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific instructions for the days immediately before and after surgery. A number of points may be covered, including: