PROCEDURES

Fast Facts:

Length of procedure: 1 – 3 hours
Type of anaesthesia: General anaesthetic.
Length of stay: 2 nights
What to expect post-op: Initially some swelling, bruising and possibly minor bleeding may occur. You may need to wear a protective splint for the first week. Avoid sun exposure and strenuous activity for 6 weeks.
Recovery time: Patients usually return to work after 1 - 2 weeks, and normal social activities after 2 weeks.
Results: The final results are usually visible at 3 months. Subtle changes may continue to occur for up to a year.

Who might benefit from a Rhinoplasty?

Patients who wish to improve the appearance of their nose, or who have a functional problem with nose-breathing, may benefit from a rhinoplasty procedure. Some patients have only a single issue they wish to fix such as a bump on the nose/ nose size/ nose shape/nostril size or shape, while others may wish to improve a combination of issues that might be due to injury or birth defects.

It is generally advisable to wait until the age of 16 or 18 before choosing to undergo a rhinoplasty. This is to ensure that the nose is properly developed and fully grown prior to the nose correction procedure and limits the possibility of changes in the post-operative result caused by growth. The patient should also be able to fully understand the risks and benefits of the nose correction procedure.

What does a Rhinoplasty procedure involve?

A rhinoplasty is a surgery that can have a big impact on the appearance of your face. During your consultation, Dr do Vale will discuss and answer any questions you may have regarding rhinoplasty, all options available to you, the risks involved, and the expected benefits and results so that together you can come to a personalised decision about your nose reshaping that will blend harmoniously with your facial features.

Dr do Vale uses the Vectra XT 3D camera to provide a life-like 3-dimensional view of your nose and face from all angles. Using this advanced imaging technology, Dr do Vale can show you various simulations that experiment with different surgical options, to show you a "preview" of potential post-operative results and how they might look on your nose and face. Vectra-XT 3D imaging will help give you peace of mind about what you can realistically achieve from your plastic surgery. (Read more here…)

A rhinoplasty may take 2- 4 hours and can be performed as either an "open" or "closed" technique. The closed technique involves the plastic surgeon making incisions inside the nostrils. The open technique involves the plastic surgeon making an incision that inconspicuously crosses the columella to allow greater visibility of the nasal anatomy. The open approach is usually preferred when major nose reshaping is desired. Typically, the nasal skin is dissected, followed by the necessary changes to the nasal structure (with or without cartilage grafts) and then the skin is re-draped over the new framework of the nose. In most cases, a nasal splint is placed at the end of the nose correction surgery to help stabilise the nose during the recovery period.

Recovery after Rhinoplasty:

As a plastic surgeon, Dr do Vale’s aim is to create subtle changes to the features of your nose that will blend harmoniously with the rest of your face. Initially, there will be swelling and bruising and possibly minor bleeding. The healing process is gradual, and healing time varies greatly between individuals. Patients usually return to normal activity after 1 - 2 weeks, but the final results are only visible at 3 months. Subtle changes may continue to occur for up to a year after the rhinoplasty surgery.

Sometimes, a rhinoplasty is performed in conjunction with another facial procedure, such as chin augmentation or a liposuction under the chin. These can help improve facial proportions or create a more sculpted appearance.

For more information on Rhinoplasty/Nose surgery or to find out if it’s the right procedure for you, request a consultation below or call 0109003999 to schedule your detailed consultation with Dr do Vale.