Rhinoplasty (Nose Job Surgery)

About the Surgery:

One of the most common cosmetic procedures is rhinoplasty, due to its significant impact on restoring facial harmony and enhancing beauty. The motivation for undergoing this procedure may be to alter the appearance of the nose, improve breathing, or both. The upper part of the nose structure consists of bone, while the lower part is made of cartilage. Rhinoplasty can modify and reshape the bones, cartilage, skin, or a combination of all three.

Common reasons for undergoing rhinoplasty include reducing the size, width, or length of the nose, changing the size of the nostrils, reshaping the nasal tip, correcting the angle between the nose and the upper lip, eliminating bony protrusions, and correcting a deviated septum. Most of these issues may be present naturally, but some may arise due to accidents or external trauma to the nose. The procedure also assists patients who experience difficulty breathing. It can be performed on individuals of all age groups over 16, including teenagers and seniors.

There are two main types of surgical rhinoplasty: open rhinoplasty, which involves a small incision between the nostrils at the base of the nose, and closed rhinoplasty, where incisions are made inside the nostrils without any external scars. Dr. Tarek chooses the appropriate type based on the patient's needs and condition. It is worth noting that open rhinoplasty allows for greater and more precise cosmetic control, and in any case, the external scar will fade within a few months after the procedure.

From a cosmetic surgery perspective, the nose can be divided into two main types: bony noses and fleshy noses, with the primary distinguishing factor being the thickness of the skin. In fleshy noses, the skin is thick, while it is generally thinner in bony noses. However, this does not apply to all cases, as some bony noses may occasionally have thick skin.

It is worth noting that although rhinoplasty may seem like a simple procedure, the global rate of individuals needing revision or reconstructive surgery after previous rhinoplasty ranges from 5% to 15%. This is because it requires extensive experience and high precision. Therefore, it is essential to choose a plastic surgeon with significant expertise in this field to avoid undergoing the same procedure twice. For Dr. Tarek's patients, the rate of needing any adjustments to their rhinoplasty is less than 1%.

For nasal reconstruction following previous surgeries, the surgeon may need to harvest cartilage from the ear or the lower right rib to rebuild the nose. Unfortunately, in many cases, when the procedure is performed by a surgeon lacking adequate experience, the nasal structure may be completely destroyed and require complete reconstruction.

In general, no modifications or reconstructions on previous rhinoplasty can be performed until a full year has passed since the initial surgery.

Before the surgery, the patient's medical history is taken, along with a thorough examination to assess their health status. The appearance of the nose in relation to other facial features will be discussed. Pre-operative instructions may include stopping certain medications, such as aspirin and other blood thinners, to reduce the likelihood of bleeding.

Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia. Initially, the skin of the nose is separated from the underlying bone and cartilage structure. Then, the bone and cartilage beneath the skin are reshaped. Dr. Tarek not only addresses cosmetic concerns but also treats functional issues; for instance, a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, and other functional problems can be corrected during the rhinoplasty procedure. Most incisions for rhinoplasty are concealed internally, except for a small external incision between the nostrils. In some cases, if nostril size needs to be reduced, Dr. Tarek may create small, concealed side incisions. It is also common to combine rhinoplasty with chin enhancement using silicone fillers to improve the patient's profile.

Dr. Tarek does not use packing after rhinoplasty, as he employs the latest techniques to prevent any bleeding. Following the procedure, an external splint is placed to protect the nose for just one week. Pain is minimal and managed with medication. Bruising and swelling may appear around the eyes but start to fade within a few days. Both bruising and swelling typically disappear entirely within two weeks. Most individuals resume their daily activities one week after the surgery, but they should avoid sports and any activity that puts pressure on the nose, such as wearing heavy glasses or sleeping on their face, for a full month. Some individuals may experience numbness in the tip of the nose post-surgery, which will gradually diminish within a maximum of three months. Regarding results, patients will see 60-70% of the final outcome immediately after the splint is removed, while the final result is evident after one full year.