A rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to reduce or reshape the size and contour of the nose. Nose job surgery can be carried out to improve cosmetic appearance or to address functional symptoms such as breathing difficulties. Facial balance and symmetry are a large part of one’s appearance, and the nose contributes significantly to overall facial harmony. Here we cover the key facts you should be aware of before having a rhinoplasty or nose job in London.
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Ask lots of questions
Rhinoplasty is an invasive procedure and carries certain risks. It is important that your surgeon at the rhinoplasty consultation fully addresses any concerns you may have about getting a nose job. There are several options for rhinoplasty surgery, including open rhinoplasty, closed rhinoplasty, septorhinoplasty, preservation rhinoplasty or rhino tip surgery. The technique chosen for your nose job Surgery will depend on what you are trying to achieve. Here at Centre for Surgery, our rhinoplasty surgeons are highly skilled in carrying out all types of rhinoplasty surgery, including ultrasonic rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. Once you have had your consultation, your surgeon will advise you on the most appropriate type of rhinoplasty procedure to meet your treatment goals.
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View rhinoplasty before and after photos
The consultation with your surgeon is an ideal opportunity to view nose job before-and-after photos to give you an idea of what to expect after rhinoplasty surgery. Many of our patients aspire to natural-looking rhinoplasty results, and you should have a good idea of what to expect once you have seen ideal results in the before-and-after photos.
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The importance of realistic expectations
Before booking your nose job procedure, it is essential to discuss your treatment goals and the results you would like to achieve with a rhinoplasty procedure. Once your surgeon has carried out a physical examination, they can give you an accurate idea of what can be achieved with surgery. This can help you form realistic expectations of potential results after surgery. It is unrealistic to expect 100% perfection after surgery as every patient is different and will heal differently after the surgery. Whilst you may have cutouts of noses from magazines which you like, it’s essential to be aware that your surgeon will not be able to replicate the exact results of a celebrity nose job.
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Rhinoplasty recovery
As with any surgical procedure, rhinoplasty will involve a period of recovery and downtime. For most rhinoplasty procedures, we recommend taking two weeks off work to rest and recover. The exception to this rule would be for patients with a preservation rhinoplasty. One week off work would be sufficient as this is a less invasive procedure than traditional rhinoplasty surgery. Preservation rhinoplasty results in less bruising and swelling and a quicker recovery. You should take the prescription painkillers as directed by your surgeon which will help with healing, and you should sleep with your head raised on a couple of pillows to speed up the resolution of rhinoplasty swelling.
Once the nose job surgery is complete, your surgeon will apply a nasal splint on the nose to protect it during the first ten days of healing. Once you attend your post-operative review appointment with one of our nurses, the nose splint will be removed. Patients who have preservation rhinoplasty may only require a splint to be applied for seven days. You can carry out your daily activities once the nasal cast has been removed. It is important to bear in mind that your nose will still appear bruised and swollen and it takes up to 6 weeks for bruising and most swelling to disappear.
How long will the final results of rhinoplasty take to appear?
Rhinoplasty surgery involves a certain amount of swelling, which may take up to 1 year to disappear entirely. Although most rhinoplasty swelling will settle within the first six weeks, further swelling will continue to settle by six months. Most surgeons agree that one year is usually when the final results of rhinoplasty surgery become clear. Certain types of patients, including men or those with thickened skin on the nose, may develop swelling that takes longer to disappear. After rhinoplasty surgery, the nose tip is usually more swollen than the rest of the nose. It is common to experience temporary numbness affecting the nasal tip for up to 6 months after surgery.
Can people tell if I have had a nose job?
A skilled rhinoplasty surgeon is experienced in producing natural-looking nose job results designed to complement and improve your facial features. Well-performed nose job surgery involves making subtle enhancements to achieve a nose that is in better balance with the rest of the face. Our rhinoplasty surgeons are skilled in preservation rhinoplasty, which can give natural-looking rhinoplasty results without the downtime of traditional nose job surgery.
What are the alternatives to a surgical rhinoplasty?
Some patients may be better suited to having a non-surgical rhinoplasty, particularly if they have more minor bumps on the bridge of the nose or desire having a more narrow nasal bridge. Although non-surgical rhinoplasty can produce immediate results, this procedure produces temporary results which last between 6 to 18 months, depending on the amount of filler injected. After this time, patients will require top-up injections to maintain the results.
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When can I exercise after rhinoplasty surgery?
We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for a minimum of four weeks after surgery, as increased physical exertion can cause more bleeding, bruising, and swelling. It would also help if you avoided any activities that involve physical contact with other people, such as contact sports, for at least six to eight weeks after surgery.
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When can I wear glasses after a rhinoplasty?
We would advise against wearing glasses during the rhinoplasty recovery period as the surgery results could be affected by heavy frames on the bridge of the nose. Patients can start wearing glasses again after six weeks.
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What do rhinoplasty scars look like?
Rhinoplasty surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and most people who have the procedure are often surprised at how minimal scarring is after rhinoplasty surgery. An open rhinoplasty involves a small incision between the two nostrils at the columella. In the vast majority of cases, this incision heals very well and is not noticeable to others. Most types of rhinoplasty procedures involve making incisions inside the nostrils, although the exact technique varies depending on the amount of surgical correction required. A closed rhinoplasty involves making all incisions within the nostrils, so there is no visible scarring. Preservation rhinoplasty involves all incisions being made within the nose so that there are no visible scars after this technique.
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At your consultation, your surgeon will show you where the rhinoplasty incisions will be made. This will allow you to reflect on all the information before you make a final decision on proceeding with nose job surgery.
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Why choose Centre for Surgery for a surgical rhinoplasty?
- Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic in London with many years of experience in all types of rhinoplasty surgery.
- We were one of the first centres in the UK to perform the preservation rhinoplasty technique with a much quicker recovery than a traditional rhinoplasty.
- Our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic is located in the heart of central London.
- We have a 24/7 nurse helpline after your procedure for any questions or concerns you may have.
- We have hundreds of verified Google and Trustpilot reviews
- We have a 97% patient satisfaction rating, with many patients recommending their family and friends to us.
- We are one of the few clinics in London to perform ultrasonic rhinoplasty using state-of-the-art piezotome technology.
