What is a rhinoplasty or nose job?
Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that aims to reshape the nose, which improves its appearance and function. It is mainly used to change the nose's size, shape and projection.
Rhinoplasty can change the shape of the nose and nasal cartilage in several ways, depending on the patient's desire and the existing structure of the nose. For example, the surgery can change or correct the upper bony portion of the nose or the lower cartilaginous part of the nose.
A rhinoplasty or a nose job can help:
- improve the aesthetic appearance of the nose,
- change the nostrils that are too large, wide or upturned,
- correct noses that are uneven, droopy, rounded or pronounced,
- remove dips, bumps or prominences on the nose,
- change the size of the nose to make it proportional to the rest of the face,
- open blocked or obstructed nasal passages.
Rhinoplasty or a nose job might be right for you if you have difficulty breathing through your nose, your nose is crooked, you would like a bump removed, or you wish to improve the overall proportions and appearance of your nose.
What are the different types of rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a surgery usually performed under general anaesthesia, so you are asleep for the duration of the procedure. Your doctor will discuss exactly which type of rhinoplasty is best for you to achieve your desired result.
There are many different types of rhinoplasty available depending on your needs; they include:
- Reduction rhinoplasty – The most common type of rhinoplasty, which involves reducing the nose size and reflects a desire to create a balance and proportions from the front and profile view
- Augmentation rhinoplasty – The enhancement of existing nasal structures to improve overall nasal features, including nasal bridge augmentation or tip enhancement. It can rectify deficits in nasal projection and length, improving the appearance and profile view of the nose.
- Cleft rhinoplasty – Repairing a nasal cleft deformity stemming from a cleft lip and palate. It can be done on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral) of the nose. When one side is affected, unilateral reconstruction will restore symmetry to the nose and correct a deviated septum. In a bilateral cleft involving both sides, rhinoplasty reconstructs the scaffold of the nose to provide support for the nostrils and improve the overall appearance and function of the nose.
What techniques can be used for rhinoplasty?
The procedure can be performed open (external) or closed (endonasal). The closed and open techniques are commonly used for primary and secondary operations and reduction or augmentation.
With good technique, careful planning and attention to detail, both approaches to rhinoplasty can be very effective. The external or open approach allows more direct access to the nasal pyramid, which can be helpful in complex nasal tip reshaping.
The endonasal or closed approach involves small incisions inside your nose and is often favoured in some rhinoplasties because it can produce less swelling in the nasal tip after surgery.
What other procedures can be performed on the nose?
While rhinoplasty is the most common procedure performed over the nose area, other procedures can be done in this area or on nearby structures.
Other procedures that can be carried out include:
- Septoplasty - often performed at the same time as rhinoplasty, this procedure opens the nasal passages blocked by a bent septum.
What other procedure can be performed on the face?
- Pinnaplasty or Otoplasty – works to improve the appearance and placement of your ears, often pinning them back closer to the skull. It may involve repositioning or reshaping either one or both external ears into a more proportional position to each other and your face by moving them closer together or farther apart.
- Face and Neck Lifts – Aim to reduce the signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and folds, and it can also help smooth areas of the cheek and jawline. The surgery can involve tightening facial fascia, removing fat from the neck, jaw or face, and using facial fat grafting.
- Eye Lifts – Also known as Blepharoplasty, this surgery removes excess skin from the eyelids and can correct sagging eyebrows, droopy upper eyes and bags under the eye. The surgery can help make you look younger and fresher.
- Facial Injections – are substances that can be injected into the skin to remove the appearance of wrinkles and to increase the face volume. They are a very common non-invasive procedure that can treat the signs of ageing in many people.
What is the average recovery time?
The recovery time depends on the extent of the surgery. After a rhinoplasty, you will be expected to rest for at least a few days and avoid strenuous activity for six weeks. Depending on the type of surgery that was performed, your doctor may also recommend taking an average of two weeks off from work or school after surgery.
The recovery time for nose operations depends on many factors, including the type of procedure performed, the extent of the surgical procedure and whether additional procedures were performed simultaneously.
How much does a rhinoplasty or nose job cost in Sydney?
Rhinoplasty or nose jobs can vary in cost depending on the surgeon, hospital and procedure. The average surgeon fee in Sydney is $7,000-15,000. The cost of the procedure will depend on the extent of the operation performed and whether some part of the procedure can be covered by private health insurance or Medicare.
