Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is surgery that adjusts the height, length, tip shape and bridge line of the nose so it harmonises with the rest of the face. Even within “rhinoplasty”, raising a low nose, correcting a deviated or humped nose, and refining the tip each call for a different approach.

You might consider a consultation if your nose is low or the bridge is deviated, if a hump or a bulbous shape bothers you, or if the tip looks blunt or upturned. The consultation starts by assessing your current condition and discussing whether surgery is appropriate or whether other options exist.

Skin thickness, the strength and shape of the tip cartilage, the septum, and any history of previous nose surgery are reviewed. These conditions can change which methods and materials are usable and the expected recovery. The consultation also checks functional problems such as rhinitis or a blocked nose, and the proportion and symmetry of the whole face.

Rhinoplasty can use the patient's own cartilage (ear, septum and so on) and/or an implant, and different materials are sometimes combined for the bridge and the tip. Which method suits you is decided at the consultation according to your nose structure and goal. At Cejong, silicone is used as the implant and the patient's own septal, ear or rib cartilage as autologous material; which is used depends on the nose.

In general it proceeds as consultation and design, anaesthesia, surgery and recovery. The type of anaesthesia, the length of surgery and whether a stay is needed depend on the extent of surgery and the individual. At Cejong it is done under sedation, usually takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, and you go home the same day.

After surgery, swelling and bruising ease gradually over time, and the shape settles over a period. When the splint and stitches are removed, and when you can return to daily life, washing and exercise, varies from person to person. The splint and stitches are usually removed about 5–7 days after surgery; washing and light daily activity resume after about 2–7 days, and exercise after about 4 weeks.

During recovery, avoid impact and pressure on the nose and adjust glasses-wearing, washing and sauna as advised. Smoking, alcohol and some medications can affect recovery, so confirm these at the consultation. We generally advise avoiding smoking for about 2–4 weeks, and alcohol, sauna and strenuous exercise for about 4 weeks. Glasses can be worn over the splint.

As with any surgery, rhinoplasty carries possible side effects such as swelling, bruising, infection, asymmetry and implant-related issues, and their degree and course differ between people. It is important to be fully informed about the possible risks and how they are managed at the consultation.

Tip-plasty focuses on the shape of the tip, while hump correction focuses on a protruding bridge. If you have had nose surgery before, revision rhinoplasty takes a different approach, and the suitability of each is judged at the consultation based on your current nose. You can see each page under “Related content” below.

Along with the shape you want, we check your current nose height and length, skin thickness, tip-cartilage structure and septum. Because the suitable method and materials depend on these, hearing a full explanation at the consultation is important.

The method and materials for the bridge and tip are chosen by considering the nose structure, skin condition, the change you want and the goal of surgery together. Even for the same concern, the choice can differ with each person's condition.

A bulbous nose describes a tip that looks round and wide, while tip-plasty refers to surgery that refines the shape and height of the tip. Correcting a bulbous tip can fall within tip-plasty, so the approach is set by the current state of the tip.

The timing for a revision consultation depends on when tissue stabilises after the previous surgery and on your current nose. The consultation reviews what was done before together with your current condition. The timing is decided individually by age and current condition, and we also check whether any foreign substance was ever injected.

Swelling is most noticeable right after surgery and then eases gradually; some areas, such as the tip, can take longer to settle. The course varies from person to person. The main swelling usually goes down over 1–2 weeks; finer swelling, for example at the tip, lasts longer and settles gradually.

During recovery, avoid impact and pressure on the nose and adjust glasses, washing and exercise as advised. If anything unusual appears, it is best to contact the clinic rather than judging it yourself.