Male Rhinoplasty

Surgical/Procedure name:
Rhinoplasty

Common name:
Nose Surgery, Nose Job, Nose Reshaping

Introduction

Male rhinoplasty is a surgery for men that has become very popular in light of the fact that it can alter the shape and contour of the nose, a source of embarrassment and self-consciousness for many men. Before you make a decision to undergo the procedure, educate yourself about who is a good candidate rhinoplasty, the procedure itself, and the possible risks and benefits involved.

Candidates for Male Rhinoplasty

Male rhinoplasty surgery candidates should be at least 16 years old, which is about the age when the nose stops growing. It is imperative that candidates be looking to improve the shape of their nose, not to achieve a perfect contour. Having realistic expectations is an important requirement for good male rhinoplasty candidates.

A good candidate may feel that his nose is either too large or too small in comparison to the rest of his face. He may also be unhappy with the appearance of the nasal tip if it droops, is bulbous, or protrudes too far out. While the majority of male candidates are simply dissatisfied with the physical appearance of their noses, many others seek rhinoplasty in order to breathe easier or to fix deformities.

About the Male Rhinoplasty Procedure

Rhinoplasty for men is a surgery designed to change the shape and contour of the nose for both aesthetic and health-related improvements. While male rhinoplasty surgery is primarily thought of as an aesthetic procedure, it can greatly help patients who have trouble breathing due to bone and cartilage defects and deformities.

By changing the contour and shape of different parts of the nose – the tip, the nostrils, or the bridge – as well as by adjusting the overall size, symmetry, and orientation of the nose, male rhinoplasty provides patients with very satisfying results. Oftentimes, surgeons will recommend combining rhinoplasty for men with other cosmetic procedures such as a face lift or chin implants in order to bring about a much more dramatic and well-balanced facial change.

Rhinoplasty for men is typically performed on an outpatient basis and takes about one to three hours to complete, though surgeries to correct more complicated problems may take longer. The surgery requires the skin of the nose to be lifted away from the underlying bone and cartilage so that the surgeon can sculpt the nose into the desired shape. After the cartilage and bone have been shaped as the surgeon sees fit, the skin is draped back over the repaired nose and allowed to heal. A splint is applied to assist in keeping the new shape of the nose, and nasal packing may be inserted to hold the tissue that separates the nostrils stationary. The splint is typically removed after two weeks and the packing removed after a few days.

Ethnic Rhinoplasty

Difference between usual and ethnic rhinoplasty is that the nose is altered in such way that ethnic specific features remain intact and at the same time esthetic corrections are made to achieve better appearance. Since there are many ethnic groups, explanation of procedure steps for every single ethnic group would be too long. We will just mention that throughout the World, most requested types are Asian rhinoplasty and African American rhinoplasty. Again, as with all groups, here also women dominate, but ethnic male rhinoplasty steadily continues to grow in numbers.

Risks and Benefits

Like any other surgical procedure, male rhinoplasty carries both risks and benefits. General surgical risks include infection, complications with anesthesia, excessive bleeding, and hematoma (swelling caused by blood collecting under the skin). Risks linked particularly to male rhinoplasty surgery include swelling, numbness, frequent nosebleeds, unsightly scarring, ruptured blood vessels, and nerve damage.

It is important to discuss in-depth with your surgeon the measures that will be taken to avoid potential complications. A trustworthy surgeon will take the time to carefully explain these risks to you and will frankly address any of your concerns and answer your questions. He or she will also make sure that you have realistic expectations about the outcome of the male rhinoplasty surgery.

Rhinoplasty for men carries many benefits. Results of a properly executed surgery with ideal healing conditions are often extremely satisfactory. Rhinoplasty patients typically do not experience any major difficulties or complications and are left with a permanent cosmetic alteration to their nose. Scarring is usually inconspicuous and kept to a minimum.

Men who have undergone rhinoplasty are, for the most part, very happy with their decision to have done so, as the aesthetic alterations can improve breathing, heighten self-esteem, and bring more balance to facial features.

Post Operative Care

Pain should be minimal. Any discomfort can be controlled by mild analgesics.

Nose reduction may require a nose splint or nostril packing to support the shape until it heals. Any stitches are self dissolving. A small amount of blood loss is possible and gauze packing may need to be changed.

Where the incision is made externally between the nostrils stitches will have to be removed after 3 to 5 days.

Swelling will be present for several weeks, gradually subsiding. Cold compresses may help reduce swelling around the eyes. The nose should be healed within a few weeks, the length of time depending on an individuals healing ability. Use sunscreen as the nose will be sensitive in the sun. You can return to light work quickly within a couple of days, or as your appearance allows. Numbness of the nose is possible at first depending on the extent of the surgery carried out.

Questions and Answers

What are some of the most common benefits of nose surgery?

Rhinoplasty can correct a variety of conditions, including an over-sized nose, a hump on the bridge, an undesirable shape of the nasal tip, or a narrow or wide span of the nostrils. Both frontal and profile views of the nose are corrected to complement other facial features, and to provide a balance of proportions. Rhinoplasty can also be used to correct breathing problems caused by narrow or partially obstructed nostrils.

What will happen at the initial consultation?

During the consultation, your plastic surgeon will discuss the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. Because the appearance of your nose is a matter of personal perception and preferences, you will need to discuss your concerns in detail so your surgeon can determine the appropriate alternatives.

Your surgeon may also point out other problems areas. For example, some patients who want rhinoplasty also have weak chins or flat cheekbones. In these cases, chin or cheekbone implants might be considered as a part of the operative plan.

A thorough medical history discussion, as well as a physical examination of your nose and other facial features, will be done during your visit. This will involve identifying functional and cosmetic issues. It is important for you to provide any history of trauma or surgery that you have had to your nose. You should also inform the doctor of any seasonal allergy problems.

How is a rhinoplasty performed?

Rhinoplasty can be performed under a general anesthetic or with a local anesthetic, depending on what you and your surgeon prefer. Incisions are made inside the rim of the nostrils. Sometimes, tiny, inconspicuous incisions are also made on the rim of the nose. Soft tissues of the nose are then separated from the underlying structures, and the cartilage and bone causing the deformity are reshaped.

The exact nature of the sculpting depends on your particular problem, and should be discussed at the consultation. If the nose is being reduced in size, the nasal bones are carefully fractured toward the conclusion of the rhinoplasty. Breathing problems may be improved by a procedure called septoplasty, in which the obstructions are removed. Another type of soft-tissue surgery, alar narrowing, is used to adjust the width of the nostrils.

There are two major ways to perform a rhinoplasty: the closed rhinoplasty and the open rhinoplasty technique. The open technique includes an incision across the colummella, the small skin between the two nostrils. One major advantage of this technique is the ability to completely visualize the internal structures of the nose, and place sutures precisely where they may be required. With this technique, rhinoplasty swelling takes significantly longer to subside and some of the tissues may be unnecessarily disrupted. The scar is most often quite small and fades rapidly. The closed technique does not require an external incision, heals more quickly, and does not disturb the tissues as much as the open technique.

At what age can rhinoplasty be done?

Rhinoplasty should generally be delayed until after age 13 for girls, and 15 for boys (since boys have their growth spurt later than girls). By this time, the nose is 90 percent of its adult size. However, not every teenager who dislikes his or her appearance is a good candidate for rhinoplasty, many of them will outgrow their dissatisfaction with their nose. About 10 percent of all rhinoplasties are performed in people younger than 19. In adults, the aging process frequently results in your nose becoming longer and droopier as the skin loses its elasticity. Elevation of the nasal tip may give the patient a younger look.

How long does rhinoplasty take?

A rhinoplasty usually takes one to two hours, but on rare occasions, it may take longer. This time may also be altered if you are undergoing other procedures at the same time.

Do I have stay in the hospital?

No. Sometimes rhinoplasty is done on an outpatient basis and other times an overnight stay may be required. This will depend on the degree of surgery required and your dcotors recommendations.

How much pain will I expereince after the surgery?

Surprisingly, there is very little pain after rhinoplasty and most patients require only mild analgesics.

What can I expect after nose surgery?

If the nose is being reduced in size, a splint will have been applied and the nose will be packed lightly with medicated gauze. Sometimes, only tape supports the nose while it is healing. The stitches are self-absorbing and do not require removal.

If an incision is made across the columnella, or vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils, skin stitches are placed, which require removal in three to five days. The need to do this is usually identified and discussed fully prior to the procedure, and is usually necessary in only about five to 10 percent of people.

After a rhinoplasty, swelling and stuffiness will remain for several weeks, but patients usually resume normal light activity after a few days. It will take several weeks before the nose is completely healed to allow full physical activity.

What is the recovery period like?

You should be able to return to sedentary work a couple of days after a rhinoplasty. Although there is some pain in the first 24 hours, after this there is usually just a feeling of pressure and stuffiness. You will still look puffy and swollen. You should keep your head elevated above the level of your heart for the first few days to reduce swelling. Bruising around the eyes is to be expected, usually peaking around 72 hours and subsiding in seven to 10 days.

Cold compresses will help to reduce the swelling around the eyes. You may have a little bleeding too, so you will probably want to change your gauze bandages a few times a day for the first several days.

After three to five days, the splint and any packing will be removed. By the end of the first or second week, all splints, bandaging, and stitches will have been removed. You will still need to be careful to not blow your nose for about two weeks, and avoid bumps to the nose for about six weeks. Eyeglasses should be taped to the forehead, off the bridge of the nose, for the first month.

You may not be completely back to normal for several weeks. Your nose might be numb, especially if there have been considerable changes made to the tip. You should use extra sunscreen, be gentle when washing your face, and avoid strenuous activity for about four weeks.

What is the long term outcome for most people?

It is common to feel dissatisfied with the appearance of the nose in the immediate post-operative period. At this point, the nose is still quite swollen, and much of the detail is still not visible enough to appreciate. It is wise to take a wait-and-see approach since the elasticity of the tissues, the blood flow, the thickness of the skin, and the appearance of the nose will change significantly during the first three months - even up to the first year or two. It is important to be patient during this period of time. Rushing to perform a second rhinoplasty during the first nine to twelve months is almost always a mistake.

Many people seem to blossom with positive personality changes after this procedure. A new sense of confidence is the most frequently observed change. Temporary blues after the procedure have also been reported and is generally attributable to two causes: (1) it takes up to six months after the operation to see the complete results of the procedure, and (2) rhinoplasty changes the appearance that you've grown accustomed to.