What is Rhinoplasty?
Nose is one of the most prominent parts of human face and in combination with other facial features such as the eyes, the lips, etc. plays an important role in the appearance of human face. Functionally, the nose plays a very critical role in respiration and the quality of the air we breathe because it adjusts and filter as well as controls the humidity, temperature, etc. of the inhaled air.
Apparent problems of the nose are directly related to internal defects which block the airways but this is not true about every one. Nasal disorders may be have genetic origins or occur as a result of the damage incurred due to blows to the nose, or they may have other reasons.
In terms of structure, the nose may be imagined as a pyramid, the external sides of which form the walls of the nose and the central column of which forms the nose septum (the internal membrane which divides the nose into two parts). When the nose is broken or damaged due to a blow, in most cases the external walls of the nose pyramid (external bones) as well as the septum are distorted or dislocated. In such cases, bending, breaking, or dislocation of the septum could block the air passages. Therefore, in order to create a straight septum and remove the blockage of the air passages through surgery, it is necessary to change the structure of the nose both in terms of appearance and internal septum.
The phases of surgery for correction or improvement of disorders of the septum are called septoplasty. The aim of this surgery is to correct the disorders of the septum and improve passage of air through removal of blocks in respiratory canals. Cosmetic surgery is related to correction of the nose appearance, which is known as rhinoplasty. The aim of this kind of surgery is correction of the apparent disorders of the nose.
In rhinoplasty, the surgeon tries to create more harmony and proportion between the patient's nose and other facial features by considering aesthetic factors as well as the structure of the patient's face.
Rhinoplasty and septoplasty are done through making small incisions inside the nose and these surgeries may be done separately or simultaneously depending on the form of the nose disorders. A small incision is also made in the nose pons, which will not be obvious. In cases of larger nasal cavities or thicker skin of nose wings, the incision is made on the sides of the nose near the flat of the wings to remove the extra skin. Structurally, the nose is among the most complicated of anyone's facial features and can create noticeable beauty in the face as a whole, whether the other facial features such as the cheeks, the eyes, etc., are beautiful and proportional or not. The patient's personality and age as well as individual and professional characteristics are taken into account in rhinoplasty.
Therefore, in planning for the surgery, we try to correct the defects of the nose by considering its individual characteristics and recognizing the factors that reduce its beauty. However, as the potential of each nose for beauty is different because of its skin type and the defect it has, it would not be logical to expect a perfect nose which is absolutely beautiful since in this case the necessary harmony between the nose and other parts of the face are ignored and the result will be a disproportionate nose for the patient. Since in 85% of cases the two sides of the face are not symmetrical with respect to the central line of the nose, there are bound to be some limitations.
In fact, in rhinoplasty the corrections are limited and specifically applied to the unwanted characteristics of the nose in order to create harmony and symmetry between the nose and other parts of the face. The result of ignoring these principles will be an artificial-looking nose which has been too much tampered with. Consequently, in order to avoid the creation of an artificial-looking nose, it would be necessary to allow the patient to speak about the unfavorable factors of her/his nose during counseling and in the mean time, inform her/him of the safest possible methods in surgery as well as the limitations of such surgery.
A restorative surgery (retouch) may be necessary after rhinoplasty for examining and correcting small defects but such minor defects usually happen in 2% of the patients and they are not considerable compared to the primary disorders and defects of the nose.
As mentioned before, nose is a single organ in the face and if some of its parts are removed more that wanted, restoring them will be very difficult. Since the the nose changes for several months after the surgery, we postpone any retouch and examination from 6 to 12 months.
If you are one of the 2 patients among 100 patients operated who need this tiny restoration, you will not be charged for the surgery. If this surgery needs anesthesia, the patient will pay the charges related to the anesthesia and clinical facilities.
No plastic surgery can be perfect and complete. Your satisfaction and enjoyment with the surgery is achieved when you focus on the positive changes of your nose and removal of the defects your nose had before the surgery without any idealism or scrupulous attention.
If you are too picky about the result of the surgery, you had better resign from rhinoplasty.
Note that any minor defect of the nose after rhinoplasty may not require a restorative surgery because the result of the second surgery is usually unpredictable and involves more risks.
Note that we can not work a miracle by plastic surgery and your satisfaction with the result depends on your proper relationship and logical cooperation with your surgeon and miracles don't happen in plastic surgery.
Plastic surgery is a combination of science and art and it is not merely scientific. Some factors which affect the result of the surgery such as the process of recovery in each person can not be controlled or predicted by you or your surgeon. Therefore, it is not possible to absolutely guarantee the result of the surgery.
Prediction of a favorable result depends on different factors like the condition and the type of skin and the shape and degree of disorders of the nose before the surgery. Furthermore, genetic factors in each person and type of osteochondral structure may affect the result of the surgery.
After examination and talking to you, we try to make you aware of your clear and final idea about the result of the surgery and that to what extent the defects of your nose can be corrected. Therefore, you will be aware of the degree of risk of the surgery and the possibility of making your nose more beautiful.
