The term Rhinoplasty surgery refers to plastic surgery of the nose, often known as a ‘Nose Job’. It is a plastic surgery procedure for correcting, reconstructing or resizing the nose for a desired look, or restoring the functionality of the nose.
It is the most complicated of cosmetic procedures, as both functionality and aesthetics need to be addressed. Therefore, making the right choice of an experienced surgeon is important. Having your facial features balanced and in harmony with each other assists greatly in having confidence in your appearance.
Some of the indications that you may be a good candidate for Rhinoplasty surgery are:
The ideal candidate for Rhinoplasty surgery is someone who is in good physical and mental health. Smokers are encouraged to quit at least 2 weeks before the procedure and it is also recommended to not drink alcohol before and after surgery. This promotes proper healing and aids in avoiding complications during the procedure. Any adult male or female can apply for nose surgery, however, with younger patients this surgery can only be performed if the skeleton of the face is over 90% developed. With younger girls, this is around 13-to-14 years of age, while boys will be considered at around 15-to-16 years of age.
Dr. Zacharia will explain what can be done to assist eligible candidates for this procedure. He will discuss the steps of the proposed surgery and the variables that may affect the procedure. Physical characteristics such as the size and shape of nasal bones and cartilage, as well as the thickness of skin may affect the technical considerations.
At the initial consultation, Dr. Zacharia will ask patients to express concerns about their appearance and to describe their symptoms.
Some digital photographs of the patient’s face will be taken and Computer Imaging software will be used to analyse their nose, as well as enable the patient to view their current appearance and realistic outcomes following surgery.
Following this, the patient’s medical history will be reviewed and a physical examination will be conducted to determine if nasal surgery is best option.
The cost of Rhinoplasty surgery varies to each individual, as well as the complexity of the procedure performed. The cost will be based on specific fees for the surgeon, anaesthetic, hospital, and if applicable, charges for an overnight stay.
Any surgery performed for purely aesthetic reasons will not be covered by health insurance. In cases where the procedure is considered medically necessary, such as corrections of birth defects or damage due to trauma, the procedure may be covered. It is recommended that patients discuss what will be covered by their insurers prior to booking the procedure.
Book a consultation, request a quote online, or contact the staff at Dr. Zacharia’s rooms today on 1800 685 438.
At the consultation, Dr. Zacharia will discuss the procedure, risks and limitations, costs involved, patient expectations and goals, as well as the recovery process. He will also conduct a medical examination and help the patient prepare both physically and mentally for Rhinoplasty.
Dr. Zacharia will then provide a checklist surgery information packet that explains everything a patient should do and know before their Rhinoplasty surgery date.
In most nasal surgeries, general anaesthesia is used. However in some cases, local anaesthesia with intravenous sedation may be used. Dr. Zacharia and his anaesthetist will assist patients in making the decision regarding which type of anaesthesia is best for their individual procedure.
Rhinoplasty surgery procedure duration can last up to two-to-three hours, depending on complexity. There are two main techniques and approaches used in Rhinoplasty surgery – the closed and open techniques; however Dr. Zacharia uses the closed techniques in over 90% of cases.
Closed technique:
Small incisions are made inside the nose and specialised instruments are used to separate the skin from the underlying supporting framework of bone and cartilage. The bone and cartilage are then sculptured to the desired shape. The nature and extent of the sculpturing depends on the patient’s nasal anatomy and desired contour. The skin is then re-draped over the new framework, while dissolvable sutures are used to close the incisions.
Open technique:
Small skin incisions are made across the columella (the skin that separates the nostrils.) This provides more exposure, particularly in complex cases, and is often used in revision Rhinoplasty. This incision heals very well and is usually inconspicuous within weeks after surgery.
All patients will have an external splint in place for 10-14 days and some will require internal splints if the septum has been operated on. Bruising and swelling are expected but are usually minimal with Dr. Zacharia’s techniques, usually aided by Vitamin C IV infusion administered post operation.
No surgery is risk free. As with all procedures, there are number of risks and complications. Understanding the risks is imperative and Dr. Michael Zacharia discusses these openly with prospective patients in the initial consultation.
The chance that any of these complications may occur during the surgery or recovery is usually very small.
The following is a list the most common risks that may occur, such as bleeding, infection, scarring, small burst blood vessels, etc.
5-10% of Dr. Zacharia’s patients will require a minor touch-up procedure to further refine the nose. Dr. Zacharia does not usually charge for minor touch-up procedures, however there is always the hospital anaesthetic to consider.
During the initial consultation, Dr. Zacharia will answer any questions and make sure the patient fully understands all possible complications involved with the surgery.
The nose undergoes significant changes in the first two weeks following Rhinoplasty surgery. The swelling gradually dissipates over the first several months and thus the appearance of the nose changes gradually. When the cast is removed after one week, the nose will look swollen.
Usually by the end of the second week, the swelling and bruising have subsided enough visible signs of the operation are unnoticeable. To the patient, the nose will look swollen or “puffy” for several months. By about three to four months, the majority of the swelling will be gone, but will look larger in photographs. Bruising around the eye may be present for several weeks.
At least one week is recommended to all patients. The plastic splint on the patient’s nose will be removed after ten days or more, leaving the patient free of this obvious stigma of surgery. Mild bruising may persist under the patient’s eyes, so the patient may feel safer to take two weeks off work or school if necessary.
Anytime that the skin is cut, a scar is formed. Incision healing is dependent on several factors, including surgical technique, prevention of infection, reduction of tension, patient nutrition, as well as smoking (before or after surgery), etc.
If a procedure is done with the “closed” technique, then all incisions are inside the nose, meaning no scars are created in the skin. The “open” technique will likely lead to a very small, unnoticeable scar in the skin between the patient’s nostrils. If the nostrils are narrowed, there will be fine scar on the skin.
It can take between 12 to 18 months for the final shape to become apparent.
More and more people are travelling overseas for cheaper, all-inclusive surgery. Rhinoplasty surgery is the most difficult cosmetic procedure and it takes significant time and preparations for the patient and surgeon to properly prepare themselves for such a significant surgery.
The Rhinoplasty surgeon should be a nasal specialist and have performed thousands of nasal procedures, as Dr. Zacharia has throughout his career. In the long run, it is usually more expensive to revise a tourist nose job, than to originally have it performed in Australia.