Every year, thousands of people who are unhappy with the size, shape or projection of their nose, seek to change its appearance through rhinoplasty. While most patients request rhinoplasty to refine the aesthetic appearance of their nose, others may require nose surgery to correct breathing difficulties, accidental damage or droopiness due to aging.
It is important for patients considering nose surgery to have realistic expectations of what rhinoplasty can achieve, before deciding to go ahead with the procedure.
Various Stages
Rhinoplasty is either performed under a combination of local anaesthesia and sedation, or under general anaesthesia. Incisions are usually made from inside the nose, to ensure that the patient does not have any visible scars. As the patient is under anaesthesia for the duration of the nose surgery, they usually feel no sensation as the ENT surgeon performs the procedure. At the most, patients may experience a mild ‘tugging’ sensation, alongside slight discomfort, associated with bruising. In most cases, nose surgery is an outpatient procedure, and does not require an overnight stay at the clinic.
Post-rhinoplasty, a small splint is usually placed on a patient’s nose for some time, to protect it. During this period, the patient may experience some bruising, swelling and discomfort, around the eye area, for which analgesia may be prescribed. After it is determined that the nose has healed sufficiently, the ENT surgeon will remove the splint and nasal packing (if used) and sutures (if required). Most people report only minor discomfort during this process.
After the cast is removed, the patient may experience slight stiffness in the upper nose as the swelling moves downwards, which could last for a few hours. About 80 percent of swelling and all of the bruising, disappear within the first three weeks of rhinoplasty, in most cases. The remaining swelling slowly fades away, over the following months. If a patient has any concerns regarding post-rhinoplasty discomfort, they should consult with their ENT surgeon.
ENT London is a premier ENT clinic in London that specialises in rhinoplasty. The highly experienced ENT surgeons at ENT London are all registered with the UK General Medical Council, and are dedicated to maximising patient comfort.
ENT London is one of UK’s leading rhinoplasty clinics, and can be contacted on 0207 580 6970.