Rhinoplasty: Nose Job Surgery in Essex

Mak Tare is a member of Rhinoplasty Society. He has completed the ‘Advanced European Mini Fellowship in Revision Rhinoplasty‘ in Italy in 2015. He has established a joint Septo-rhinoplasty service with his ENT Colleague in Mid Essex and North Essex Region. He offers the comprehensive functional Septo-Rhinoplasty procedure to improve both nasal form and function .

The “nose job” is a classic of cosmetic surgery procedures. The nose is a very prominent facial feature where its appearance and function can be a significant source of distres

Why do patients request a rhinoplasty?

Some people are unhappy with the shape of the nose because it could be too long, or has a dorsal hump,or crooked with gross deviation to one side. Sometimes it projects too far forward, the tip is droopy or too wide. Often the nose shape is due to ethnic origin, family trait but sometimes it changes following trauma. As well as aesthetic considerations, abnormalities may result in obstruction of the nostrils resulting in snoring, difficulty in breathing and alteration in the sense of smell.

Patient’s usually complain about mouth breathing, waking up at night with dry mouth and keeping a glass of water next to bed every night.

What does the procedure involve?

Rhinoplasty is usually done under general anaesthetic and requires a one night stay in hospital. The procedure requires incisions on the columella and then for the most part on the inside of the nose, and are therefore invisible. The procedure involves, midline septum removal, using the septal grafts for opening up the nasal vault to improve the breathing. Surgery reshapes the bones and nose tip cartilage by sutures and grafts. A nasal pack is put into the nostrils to avoid bleeding, and a plaster is applied as an external splint to the outside of nose for a week.

What follows the surgery?

Patients may have swelling and bruising of the eyelids following surgery, which usually fades within a fortnight. The “nasal pack” is normally removed within 24 hours of surgery, and patients are discharged home with instructions regarding care of the plaster and cleaning of the nostrils.

If there are any external sutures, they are removed around the seventh postoperative day. The plaster is removed seven to ten days following surgery – and a follow-up appointment is arranged approximately four weeks later.

Patients go home next day, but are expected to take life easy for 2-3 weeks. They are advised to lay with head end propped up on three pillows for two weeks. Though patients can resume their routine activities after two weeks but any forceful activity i.e ball games, contact sports, gym, swimming, yoga activities should be avoided for eight weeks.

How much time do I need off work?

Most patients able to return to work two weeks following the operation. The swelling usually takes over six to twelve months to settle down completely.

What are the complications of this procedure?

Like any other operation, rhinoplasty can result in complications such as bleeding, haematoma (blood clot under the skin), infection , under-correction, over-correction, step deformity and a scar inside the nose. We will discuss specific complications that can arise from rhinoplasty following your examination. Approximately 15% of patients who undergo rhinoplasty require a small further revision for minor irregularities of bone or cartilage; this is usually undertaken after a year, if required.