Nose Reshaping - Introduction

The appearance of the face is defined in a special way by the nose in its center. Hence, central significance with regard to aesthetics is ascribed to it in addition to its important functions as an organ of smelling and breathing. No nose is perfectly symmetrical; however, irregularities may have an effect on the overall shape of the nose to a lesser or greater degree. Due to deformities in cartilage or parts of the bone, the nose may undergo different transformations: a nose that is too broad or too long, a protruding nose, a crooked nose, a "hammer nose", or many others. A crooked nose, for example, can impair one's ability to breathe.¹

Defective positioning of the nose can be corrected thanks to a nasoplasty a.k.a rhinoplasty. In a functional rhinoplasty, the opening of the nasal passages is the primary objective. During a preliminary examination, your nose is examined in detail and your wishes and desires are discussed. Normally, a computer-driven visualisation of possible operational results can be displayed.

The operation is low-risk when performed professionally and, depending on the scope and complexity of the procedure, is carried out using either general or local anaesthesia. For a closed rhinoplasty, the surgeon places the incision used for access to the operational area in the interior of the nose such that no visible scars are produced. For more complex changes in shape, an open nasal correction requires an additional incision in the area of the outer nose bridge. During the operation, the cartilage and bone in the nose are remodeled via the access point. Soft parts realign themselves with the updated nasal framework in a natural manner. After the procedure, which lasts 1-2 hours, follows a 1-7 day inpatient stay.
In order to stabilise the new shape of the nose, either a cast or a splint is typically put in place for about 2 weeks. During this time, you can anticipate strong swelling and bruising in the facial area. Most patients report the occurrence of mild pains. In the weeks after the procedure, you should be gentle with yourself and refrain from sports activities. Altogether, you should plan for a downtime of about 2 weeks. After this time, swelling should have faded for the most part and you should be able to appear in public again without problems.

Nowadays, nose reshaping is a standard procedures in aesthetic surgery; serious complications arise only in rare cases. A rhinoplasty will bring your nose in alignment with your facial proportions and/or definitively improve nasal air flow. This helps most patients achieve greater satisfaction in their daily lives.^2-11