Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)

A rhinoplasty (or ‘nose job’) is an operation to change the appearance of your nose. Sometimes a rhinoplasty is performed to improve how you breathe through your nose.  It involves operating on the bones and cartilage that give your nose its shape and structure.

The nose forms the central portion of the face and therefore has a very significant impact on facial aesthetics.  As a result of this, a nose that is out of proportion (too large or too small), or has a shape that is not in keeping with the rest of the face shape, or has a shape disturbance (for example a dorsal hump, an overhanging tip or a bulbous tip) can have a dramatic effect on facial appearance.  These changes may be genetic or may result from trauma.

Most people who want nose reshaping want to:

• Make the nose smaller (nose reduction) – by removing some of the cartilage and bone
• Make the nose straighter
• Make the nose larger (nose augmentation) – by taking cartilage from the ears or rib and using it to build up the nose
• Change the shape of the nose (including the nostrils) – by breaking the nose bone and rearranging the cartilage
• Change the angle between the nose and top lip
• improve the airflow through a blocked nose

The operation takes anywhere between one and two and a half hours depending on exactly what is required.  The bony cartilaginous skeleton of the nose is exposed, either using a closed or an open approach and corrective surgery is undertaken.  At the end of the surgery, stitches are applied, all of these being self-dissolving.

In most cases, plaster of Paris is applied to the nose.

Patients are discouraged from driving whilst the plaster of Paris is in place.

Most patients will need to be off work for between 1 - 3 weeks.

Patients will be reviewed by the nursing staff on removal of the plaster of Paris at 1-2 weeks following surgery and then subsequently by Mr Sawyer at one month and nine months.

The appointment for the removal of the plaster of Paris should be made prior to discharge and the appointments to see Mr Sawyer will be sent via email.

Subtle changes to the nose can be performed using hyaluronic acid filler in the form of non-surgical rhinoplasty.  This can be performed in the clinic.  Please refer to the non-surgical rhinoplasty leaflet for more information.

As a result of the plaster of Paris and swelling around the eyes, patients will not be able to wear glasses or contact lenses for several days following surgery. The plaster of Paris will prevent glasses from being properly worn and even when the plaster of Paris has been removed, glasses should be worn with extreme caution to avoid disturbing the nasal bones where the glasses rest on the bridge of the nose. Avoidance of any pressure on this area is essential for several weeks following surgery.