Rhinoplasty


While there is no upper age limit for having rhinoplasty, patients may be advised to wait until they are 14
or 15 (when the nose is fully developed) before undergoing rhinoplasty.

Sometimes breathing problems related to the internal nasal structures can be corrected at the same time
as nose reshaping. It is important to have a clear idea of how you would like your nose to look as well as
know there are some limitations to cosmetic nasal surgery.

Dr. Guichon may ask whether you have difficulty breathing through your nose, suffer from allergies or use
nasal spray excessively.

In evaluating you for rhinoplasty, Dr. Guichon will examine your nose both internally and externally. Skin
quality as well as the size and shape of your nose must be carefully studied. Sometimes, chin
augmentation may be suggested so that a more pleasing facial balance can be achieved.

With rhinoplasty, work is done on the cartilage and bone that form the structure of your nose. Sometimes,
certain bones may need to be altered in order to make your nose look narrower and straighter. If your nose
needs to be augmented, this can be accomplished using cartilage from your nose or cartilage from another
part of the body. The skin and soft tissues will re-position themselves over the new form of your nose.

In most cases, the incisions will be placed inside your nose so they will not be visible. If the base of the
nose is narrowed or the nostrils reduced, small pieces of skin below the nostrils will be removed. External
incisions are well hidden in the crease where the nose and cheek join.

In an open rhinoplasty, a short incision is made across the columella that separates the nostrils.

Skin numbness after rhinoplasty may occur but is usually temporary. Occasionally, extra surgery may be
necessary to refine the result.

Bruising should be gone within 2-3 weeks and you can use concealing makeup if you wish. Swelling,
however, can last a number of weeks or months though residual swelling usually affects just the nasal tip.