Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a nose job, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in Ireland. I perform them frequently, and the procedure is actually one of my favourite surgeries as it can have such a positive effect on the patient. The nose, being in the centre of the face, has a huge impact on a person’s appearance and, as a result, their self- esteem too.
There is much that can be done under the term rhinoplasty, but essentially it is a procedure to reshape the nose. Depending on a person’s issue or concern, the surgery can smooth out bumps, increase or decrease its size, narrow the nostrils, or correct a misshapen nose. In some cases, rhinoplasty can be used for medical purposes to correct breathing problems or address an injury.
In general, anyone of good physical health who wants to address a concern relating to the appearance of their nose can consider the procedure and I will carry out an in-depth consultation with the patient to determine the best course of action and to explain all aspects of the surgery and aftercare.
When it comes to children and young people looking to have rhinoplasty performed for purely aesthetic reasons, I would advise waiting until the late teens or adulthood, when the growth process has been completed. You may often hear the term, ‘They grew into their features’, and this is more often than not true.
The benefits of rhinoplasty can be multiple and even a small adjustment to the nose can have a significant impact on the face and other features. This is why it’s important that the surgeon has a good aesthetic eye and looks at the face in its entirety before addressing any issues with the nose.
As rhinoplasty is a very precise surgery, meticulous attention to detail is also required, so at the consultation I will examine the nose and face and look at it in small units – the nasal sub-units – to make sure each unit, and the overall face, will work in harmony with the patient’s features. As with all cosmetic surgery, the aim is to enhance the patient’s natural beauty.
Improvements in technology are very helpful in relation to a patient (and the surgeon) understanding what results are possible and how the ‘nose job’ might look. In the past, we had to rely on somewhat basic visual representations but a technology called Crisalix has taken things to the next level.
It allows me to capture a 3D picture of the patient’s face and head, which is then uploaded to a computer and, with the images on screen, I can manipulate the nose to show what various tweaks and changes might look like. The patient can see how they would appear with a larger, smaller or straighter nose, or whatever adjustment is needed. It is very hard for someone to visualise a change like this so now we can show them a very accurate 3D ‘photo’ of themselves. This is great for reassuring them and also making sure the patient and surgeon are on the same page.
The surgery is usually done under general anaesthetic and takes about an hour and a half to complete if the case is straightforward. However, it can vary in complexity, depending on the issues to be dealt with, and a combination of processes can be required. Thus, it can take more than four hours in a complex case.
In the past, the common technique was to make incisions inside the nose (closed rhinoplasty) but the standard modern practice is now to make an incision at the base of the nose and the inner margin of the rims of the nose (open rhinoplasty). This allows a more precise control and manipulation of the cartilage and nasal bones because these structures that make up the nose are clearly visible with this open approach.
The surgeon can then sculpt or shave the cartilage or bone as required. This is the stage where the surgeon’s experience and aesthetic sense will likely determine the most optimum outcome for the patient. A nose that needs to be straightened will be broken and reset and the patient’s own tissue can be used to help reshape the structure too. The nose is stabilised with splints to keep it in place and these are usually removed within one week.
There will be some bruising a few days after the surgery but this will subside within about ten days, while the majority of the swelling should begin to subside within two weeks or so. The rest of the swelling will go down in the following months with the full effects of the surgery visible some months after the procedure.
If you are considering rhinoplasty or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, we can advise on the best options for you. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
Find out all you need to know about cosmetic procedures and the factors you need to consider in our free guide: Considerations Before Deciding on Cosmetic Surgery and Post-Treatment Care:
Download Mr. Chan's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery Considerations
Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a nose job, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in Ireland. I perform them frequently, and the procedure is actually one of my favourite surgeries as it can have such a positive effect on the patient. The nose, being in the centre of the face, has a huge impact on a person’s appearance and, as a result, their self- esteem too.
There is much that can be done under the term rhinoplasty, but essentially it is a procedure to reshape the nose. Depending on a person’s issue or concern, the surgery can smooth out bumps, increase or decrease its size, narrow the nostrils, or correct a misshapen nose. In some cases, rhinoplasty can be used for medical purposes to correct breathing problems or address an injury.
In general, anyone of good physical health who wants to address a concern relating to the appearance of their nose can consider the procedure and I will carry out an in-depth consultation with the patient to determine the best course of action and to explain all aspects of the surgery and aftercare.
When it comes to children and young people looking to have rhinoplasty performed for purely aesthetic reasons, I would advise waiting until the late teens or adulthood, when the growth process has been completed. You may often hear the term, ‘They grew into their features’, and this is more often than not true.
The benefits of rhinoplasty can be multiple and even a small adjustment to the nose can have a significant impact on the face and other features. This is why it’s important that the surgeon has a good aesthetic eye and looks at the face in its entirety before addressing any issues with the nose.
As rhinoplasty is a very precise surgery, meticulous attention to detail is also required, so at the consultation I will examine the nose and face and look at it in small units – the nasal sub-units – to make sure each unit, and the overall face, will work in harmony with the patient’s features. As with all cosmetic surgery, the aim is to enhance the patient’s natural beauty.
Improvements in technology are very helpful in relation to a patient (and the surgeon) understanding what results are possible and how the ‘nose job’ might look. In the past, we had to rely on somewhat basic visual representations but a technology called Crisalix has taken things to the next level.
It allows me to capture a 3D picture of the patient’s face and head, which is then uploaded to a computer and, with the images on screen, I can manipulate the nose to show what various tweaks and changes might look like. The patient can see how they would appear with a larger, smaller or straighter nose, or whatever adjustment is needed. It is very hard for someone to visualise a change like this so now we can show them a very accurate 3D ‘photo’ of themselves. This is great for reassuring them and also making sure the patient and surgeon are on the same page.
The surgery is usually done under general anaesthetic and takes about an hour and a half to complete if the case is straightforward. However, it can vary in complexity, depending on the issues to be dealt with, and a combination of processes can be required. Thus, it can take more than four hours in a complex case.
In the past, the common technique was to make incisions inside the nose (closed rhinoplasty) but the standard modern practice is now to make an incision at the base of the nose and the inner margin of the rims of the nose (open rhinoplasty). This allows a more precise control and manipulation of the cartilage and nasal bones because these structures that make up the nose are clearly visible with this open approach.
The surgeon can then sculpt or shave the cartilage or bone as required. This is the stage where the surgeon’s experience and aesthetic sense will likely determine the most optimum outcome for the patient. A nose that needs to be straightened will be broken and reset and the patient’s own tissue can be used to help reshape the structure too. The nose is stabilised with splints to keep it in place and these are usually removed within one week.
There will be some bruising a few days after the surgery but this will subside within about ten days, while the majority of the swelling should begin to subside within two weeks or so. The rest of the swelling will go down in the following months with the full effects of the surgery visible some months after the procedure.
If you are considering rhinoplasty or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, we can advise on the best options for you. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
Find out all you need to know about cosmetic procedures and the factors you need to consider in our free guide: Considerations Before Deciding on Cosmetic Surgery and Post-Treatment Care:
Download Mr. Chan's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery Considerations