Rhinoplasty, also known as nose reshaping plastic surgery or nose job is a very commonly performed plastic surgery in India.

Rhinoplasty or Nose reshaping surgery generally called nose job is a commonly performed plastic surgery procedure. The surgery is performed for two main purposes:

• Cosmetic: to improve the appearance of the nose i.e. broad nostrils, bulging nose tip, hawk like nose, bump on the bridge etc.
• Functional: to correct the deviated septum to improve breathing

Nose plastic surgery or Rhinoplasty can accentuate your overall facial appearance by making the nose in proportion with other facial procedures.

Reasons to undergo Rhinoplasty / Nose job

1. Breathing Difficulties 
   Deviated septum and nostril collapse are the main reasons for difficulty in breathing.
2. Snoring
   Snoring is mainly caused by deviated septum. It can be congenital or due to trauma.
3. Shape Change
   People often complain that they have a nose bridge that is either too big or too small or, broad or narrow nostril or, short philtrum etc. These can be re-contoured with a rhinoplasty.
4. Size Change
   The size of the nose is another complaint most people have to make. A proportionate nose can make a great difference for a beautiful face which can be achieved with rhinoplasty.
5. Gaining Symmetry
   It is a proven fact that facial symmetry is one of the surest signs of a perfect beauty in all cultures. Since nose occupies the centre of the face there can be substantial disruption in overall symmetry with a crocked or off-centre nose.

Types of Rhinoplasty/ Nose reshaping

There are various treatment options with rhinoplasty which decide the final goal of surgery such as:

1. Reduction Rhinoplasty
   The commonest type of rhinoplasty to reduce the size of the nose in correlation to rest of the facial features by correcting the bridge, tip and nostrils.
   
2. Re-constructive Rhinoplasty
   Serious conditions like skin cancer, accidents or other serious diseases can lead to severe deformity and loss of nasal tissue structure. The nose is reconstructed with grafts and other advanced technology. This kind of reconstruction can take more than one surgery, and an extremely skilled surgeon.
3. Augmentation Rhinoplasty
   Bone or tissue grafts are used to build the tip and/or bridge. Graft can also be cartilage from nasal septum. Both with augmentation and reduction rhinoplasty 2D and 3D models are created for perfect results.
4. Post-traumatic Rhinoplasty
   Injury can cause serious functional and aesthetic damage. This can be dealt with by correcting the nasal septum which is often broken in trauma cases of nose. This can be done within 10 to 15 days of injury but occasionally takes months to get the surgery done if trauma is extensive.
5. Ethnic Rhinoplasty
   It follows same method as others but done for African American, Caribbean, Hispanic, Asian and Middle Eastern as they have softer nasal contours and need extra care to conserve these unique features.
6. Adolescent Rhinoplasty
   Rhinoplasty is usually not done till the growth phase is finished. However in exceptional cases of breathing difficulties or trauma it can be done in teenagers.
7. Ageing Rhinoplasty
   Ageing can cause constriction and drooping of nasal tissues. These problems can be alleviated by rhinoplasty.
   

Outcome of Rhinoplasty

• A rhinoplasty surgery done by skilled surgeons will improve the overall appearance of a person’s face.
• The shape,size,symmetry and other imperfections are smoothened out
• Breathing ability is improved and certain birth defects are corrected
• The quality of life of the person gets better leading to a fulfilling life with feelings of anxiety disappearing which were there because of poor shape of the nose.

Candidates

If you are 18 or above, are in good health, and are mentally and emotionally stable, with a dislike for your nose, have realistic expectations from the surgery, you are a good candidate for rhinoplasty or nose reshaping surgery or nose job.

Procedure

Rhinoplasty has 2 primary techniques:

1. Closed Rhinoplasty: In this all incisions are hidden inside the nose. So the scars cannot be seen and functional or cosmetic purpose is achieved.
2. Open Rhinoplasty: Here the skin is lifted off the tip to the cartilage between nostrils and the cartilage of the nose is re-contoured precisely. There is a very minor scar below the nose. So the access and precision is better with this method.
3. Advanced Techniques such as:

• Bone alterations with high power tools

• Use of patient’s own blood as adhesive to seal the incisions

These have further improved the rhinoplasty techniques.

The surgery is done under general anaesthesia and starts with incisions on the inside of nostrils to lift a flap and gain access to underlying bone and cartilage. The required addition by grafts or reductions by removing tissues gives the desired result. The flap is then closed and sutured.

Recovery

Nasal packing (if used), stays in the nostrils for one to seven days. The outside stitches, if any, are taken off with the next five to seven days. The inner stitches are however dissolve by themselves. To reduce swelling and to keep the nasal bones in place, the nasal splint is kept in place for seven days. Light activity like returning to work or school can be resumed in the next ten days. It takes about 6 – 8 weeks to resume rigorous activities.

Results

You can expect great results if you have realistic expectations from Rhinoplasty. Final results of nose reshaping cosmetic surgery may not be apparent until 6 months to a year after the surgery.

Time

Rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia and takes about 1-2 hours.You would need to stay at some of the best plastic surgery hospitals in India for a maximum of 2 days post-surgery. The stitches are removed within a week’s time. The stitches are removed about a week after the procedure. You would need about 8 to 10 days for getting nose plastic surgery in India.