Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty in London with Centre for Surgery, otherwise referred to as a “nose job”, rhinoplasty is an operation which involves reshaping or resizing the nose. As the nose is a central feature of the face, even minor changes using rhinoplasty can make a big impact. 

Our surgeons are fully trained in the Preservation Rhinoplasty technique which we are able to use for selected patients for extremely precise correction with minimal bruising and swelling and reduced downtime.

Our surgeons have special expertise in all aspects of rhinoplasty surgery including open rhinoplasty, closed rhinoplasty, primary and revision rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty as well as rhinoplasty for men which can help men with any breathing problems, improve their aesthetics and balance in the face. With our London rhinoplasty surgeons, you be rest assured in having one of the very best rhinoplasty surgeons in London to manage your care from start to finish.

For those who are not quite ready to undertake a surgical procedure or would like to gain an idea of how a surgical rhinoplasty could look, we also offer a non-surgical nose job, otherwise known as ‘rhinofiller’.

All our plastic surgeons are on the GMC specialist register.

A rhinoplasty can be performed for both aesthetic and functional reasons which often be addressed in the same procedure. Whilst restoring nasal function and correcting a deviated septum are commonly performed, by far the most common reason for nose reshaping surgery is to improve the aesthetics of the nose.

The Rhinoplasty procedure can achieve the following objectives:

• Narrow the bridge or middle third of the nose
• Reshape the nostrils by widening or narrowing
• Nose tip reshaping and refinement
• Sculpt the bridge or nasal dorsum of the nose
• Reducing the size of the nose with the removal of cartilage and bone
• Nasal profile contouring

Functional objectives:

• Rhinoplasty for noses previously damaged through trauma (car accidents, sport etc)
• Septum deviation or a bent nose
• Breathing difficulties

Unique to Centre for Surgery, we are proud to offer the amazing Crisalix 3D imaging experience to all our patients. Visualise in incredible detail how your could look after your rhinoplasty procedure.

Crisalix 3D imaging is offered as standard at your rhinoplasty consultation.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular procedures in the UK. There are several common reasons why patients choose to have a rhinoplasty. These include:

Traumatic injuries of the nose: slips, trips and falls are common causes of injuries to the nose. To correct deformities to the nose, rhinoplasty will be required to restore the structure and function of the nose. 

Aesthetic: the nose plays a major role in balanced facial aesthetics. For patients who are unhappy with their nasal structure, this can be corrected with a rhinoplasty procedure.

Airflow through the nose: many patients experience problems with breathing through their nose and depend heavily on mouth breathing. Plastic surgeons have specialist expertise in correcting the airflow pathways of the nose. A rhinoplasty procedure can be performed with surgery of the partition of the nose or septum (septoplasty) to address airflow problems.

1. Over 10 years experience with all types of rhinoplasty surgery – open, closed, aesthetic, reconstructive and revision.
2. We regularly receive patients from overseas at our rhinoplasty centre of excellence.
3. Our surgeons are UK trained NHS consultant plastic surgeons who live and work in London. We don’t work with ‘fly-in, fly-out’ surgeons from Italy. This is very important because whilst your surgeon takes all precautions to minimise complications, complications can and do occur and our surgeons are readily available to manage any issues if and when they arise.
4. We own and manage our own surgical facilities. Properly performed rhinoplasty surgery takes time and should not be rushed. Mr Gilleard performs a maximum of two rhinoplasty procedures in a day. We do not cram 5-6 procedures into one day like other providers. You want your surgeon to be well-rested and mentally and physically sharp to perform rhinoplasty surgery which is a very intensive procedure to get the very best results.

Whether you choose to have a rhinoplasty because of aesthetic reasons, previous trauma or airflow problems – there are some fundamental prerequisites to make sure you get the best possible outcome from your rhinoplasty procedure:

• Patients must be over the age of 18
• Healthy – physically and mentally
• Realistic expectations of what can be achieved
• Aware of the recovery process and the need to follow postoperative instructions

Are you interested in undergoing a rhinoplasty but are not sure if you can afford it upfront? Take a look at what finance we have available.

The Rhinoplasty procedure has evolved over time, away from cartilage destructive techniques to preservation of your cartilage and utilising minimally invasive surgical approaches to minimise downtime.

This new technique means surgeons no longer need to break the nose during surgery. The dorsal height can be corrected via an internal access approach to sequentially reduce the height. This incremental approach means the nose will become smaller as the height is reduced internally and the hump will be removed.

Approximately 1 in 5 patients will still require a traditional Rhinoplasty procedure and your surgeon will be able to advise you on the most appropriate surgical method.

This patient below had a rhinoplasty in Bulgaria. Unfortunately too much septal cartilage was removed leading to internal nasal valve collapse. Mr Onur Gilleard performed a revision rhinoplasty and reconstructed the nose with the use of ear cartilage taken from the back of the ear. Revision rhinoplasty is highly complex surgery. Centre for Surgery regularly perform revision rhinoplasty for patients who often had their first rhinoplasty operation in Turkey and Eastern Europe. Sadly the adage, ‘buy cheap, pay twice’ very much applies to rhinoplasty surgery where expertise and experience really matter.

You will initially be reviewed by a fully qualified consultant plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty surgery. Mr Onur Gilleard is a specialist rhinoplasty surgeon and holds a full NHS consultant appointment in central London where he regularly performs complex reconstructive surgery. Mr Gilleard will use Crisalix 3D imaging to map your nose in incredible detail. This way you have the opportunity to discuss directly with the surgeon who will perform your operation (if you go ahead) your ideas, concerns and expectations about the rhinoplasty procedure. The surgeon may also inform you of the risks which may occur if you choose to travel abroad for your rhinoplasty.

As part of the consultation, the surgeon will:

• Take a full history and examine you;
• Explain what the rhinoplasty surgery involves; and
• Perform 3D Crisalix imaging
• Will offer his/her professional opinion of what can/cannot be done to achieve the ideal aesthetic outcome

All rhinoplasty procedures at Centre for Surgery are conducted under our specialist general anaesthesia technique – known as ClearSleep™. In our experience, patients experience fewer side effects under ClearSleep™ technique than under traditional general anaesthesia. It also means that patients usually wake up quickly and are not required to stay overnight. They can recover in the comfort of their own home, which we believe leads to faster recovery and better outcomes. 

Rhinoplasty surgery can be performed in a number of different ways: the base of the nose can be narrowed, humps on the bridge can be removed, correcting flared nostrils or even refining the tip of the nose. 

The rhinoplasty procedure will in all cases be either open or closed. The surgeon will decide in consultation with you which is the best procedure for your case.

Closed rhinoplasty vs open rhinoplasty: 

Closed rhinoplasty – cuts will be concealed inside the nose

Open rhinoplasty – a small incision is performed on the area at the inferior aspect of the nose between the nostrils. This area is called the columella 

In practice, only a very few patients will be appropriate for a closed approach as the limited exposure in a closed rhinoplasty only allows the dorsal hump to be addressed in most cases. An open rhinoplasty allows full exposure of the bony and cartilaginous framework to allow an accurate correction of the areas of concern.

After you are asleep, the bones of the nose and the cartilaginous areas will be exposed. This allows the rhinoplasty surgeon to use specialised instruments to shape the nose. Some procedures may require the use of cartilage taken from other areas of the body such as the back of the ear or even from a very small area of the ribcage. This is required for the extra support to maintain the structure of the nose. Airflow issues are corrected by ensuring the septum of the nose is straightened up. Very fine sutures will be used to close any incisions that were made. A special packing material will be placed to minimise the risk of bleeding, and a splint is worn for one week to facilitate proper healing.

After your rhinoplasty procedure, there will be bruising and swelling. In particular, the lower eyelids may look particularly bruised. This is normal and will subside with time.

To minimise the impact of the bruising and swelling, you should lie with head up in bed on a few pillows. We also highly recommend our patients to apply cold packs for the first 48 hours following the surgery to reduce bruising and swelling.

You will be discharged the same day and you can rest in the comfort of your own home providing you have a responsible adult with you for at least 24 hours. Our medical team will phone you the next morning and you will see the surgeon one week later for removal of the splint. There will then be subsequent follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and progress.

Top tips for recovery

• Avoid bending and heavy lifting
• Avoid bumping the nose
• Avoid gym activities for two weeks
• Avoid showering – take a bath instead
• Avoid blowing your nose
• Avoid hard-to-chew foods for the first week or two
• Avoid glasses for six weeks after surgery
• Avoid excessive smiling or laughing
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid high sun exposure in the first several months following the surgery as the skin on the nose will be prone to sunburn
• Sleep promotes healing so take naps when you need to