What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, or nose job, is a type of procedure that changes the size or shape of your nose. Depending on the type of surgery you are having, your surgeon may: 

• Make your nose smaller (nose reduction) by removing some of the bone and cartilage
• Make your nose larger (nose augmentation) by taking cartilage from other areas of the body to build up the nose 
• Change the shape of your nose by breaking the bone and rearranging the cartilage
• Change the angle between the nose and top lip 

The skin over the nose will shrink or expand depending on the new shape of the nose. 

Closed rhinoplasty (where the surgery requires no cutting of the visible skin) leaves no visible scars and causes minimal swelling, but it is not always possible to have this type of procedure. 

How long is rhinoplasty recovery?

The rhinoplasty procedure usually takes around 1.5 to 3 hours, and you will need to stay in the hospital for up to two nights so that the surgeons can ensure that you are recovering well. 

You will have a dressing on your nose for the first 12 hours after the procedure, and a splint held over your nose with tape will be kept on for seven days. It may be difficult for you to breathe through your nose for around a week. 

Painkillers can be provided to help control any pain and discomfort. 

You may need to take up to two weeks off work to recover from your rhinoplasty procedure, and it could take several months before you are able to see the full effect of the operation. 

Can you damage your nose after rhinoplasty?

Your nose is susceptible to damage as it heals from the rhinoplasty so it is important to follow the advice given by your surgeon to facilitate your healing. 

Take a look at some of the ways you can avoid causing damage to your nose as it heals:

• Avoid strenuous activities. Excess blood flow to the face can increase swelling and even put you at risk of bleeding. Additionally, sweat can compromise the healing process of your skin. 
• Avoid blowing your nose. Blowing your nose or sniffling can disrupt proper healing and cause bleeding.
• Stay out of the sun. Exposure to the sun can burn the skin on the nose, creating discolouration at incision sites, or increase your risk of certain complications. 
• Minimise wearing glasses. You may need to use contact lenses as your nose heals, glasses resting on the bridge of your nose while it is healing can lead to indents on the softened cartilage and tissue. 
• Don’t lie flat. Some people sleep flat on their back, but it is a dangerous activity for nose job patients. With the head at the same level as the heart, blood flow to the nose will increase. This encourages excess bleeding, swelling, and increased levels of pain.