Rhinoplasty is one of the commonest procedures performed at
plastic surgicentre in Doha, Qatar.
If you're considering rhinoplasty...
Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the
nose, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your
nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the
nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It
may also correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve some
breathing problems.
Before
surgery, these rhinoplasty patients have
large, slightly hanging noses, with a hump and an enlarged tip.
If you're considering rhinoplasty, this
information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when
it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It
can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the
individual patient and the surgeon. Please ask Dr Makki about anything
you don't understand.
THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR RHINOPLASTY
Rhinoplasty can enhance your appearance
and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to
match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently.
Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your
expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
The best candidates for rhinoplasty are
people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they
look. If you're physically healthy, psychologically stable, and
realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.
Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet
aesthetic goals or for reconstructive purposes-to correct birth defects
or breathing problems.
Age may also be a consideration. Many surgeons prefer not to operate
on teenagers until after they've completed their growth spurt-around 14
or 15 for girls, a bit later for boys. It's important to consider
teenagers' social and emotional adjustment, too, and to make sure it's
what they, and not their parents, really want.
If
your nostrils are too wide, the surgeon can remove small wedges of skin
form their base, bringing them closer together.
ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK
When rhinoplasty is performed by a
qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually
minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications,
including infection, nosebleed, or a reaction to the anesthesia. You
can reduce your risks by closely following Dr Makki's
instructions both before and after surgery.
After surgery, small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red
spots on the skin's surface; these are usually minor but may be
permanent. As for scarring, when rhinoplasty
is performed from inside the nose, there is no visible scarring at all;
when an "open" technique is used, or when the procedure calls
for the narrowing of flared nostrils, the small scars on the base of
the nose are usually not visible.
In about one case out of ten, a second procedure may be required-for
example, to correct a minor deformity. Such cases are unpredictable and
happen even to patients of the most skilled surgeons. The corrective
surgery is usually minor.
PLANNING YOUR SURGERY
Good communication between you and your physician is essential. In
your initial consultation, Dr. Makki will ask what you'd like your nose
to look like, evaluate the structure of your nose and face, and discuss
the possibilities with you. He will also explain the factors that can
influence the procedure and the results. These factors include the
structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face,
the thickness of your skin, your age, and your expectations.
Dr. Makki will also explain the techniques and anesthesia he will
use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, the
risks and costs involved, and any options you may have. Most insurance
policies don't cover purely cosmetic surgery; however, if the procedure
is performed for reconstructive purposes, to correct a breathing
problem or a marked deformity, the procedure may be covered. Check with
your insurer, and obtain pre-authorization for your surgery.
Be sure to tell Dr. Makki if you've had any previous nose surgery or
an injury to your nose, even if it was many years ago. You should also
inform Dr. Makki if you have any allergies or breathing difficulties;
if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or recreational drugs; and
if you smoke.
Don't hesitate to ask Dr. Makki any questions you may have,
especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the
results.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY
Dr. Makki will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for
surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking
or avoiding certain vitamins and medications, and washing your face.
Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more
smoothly.
While you're making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to
drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if
needed.
WHERE YOUR SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED
Rhinoplasty may be performed in a
surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a
hospital. It's usually done on an outpatient basis, for cost
containment and convenience. Complex procedures may require a short
inpatient stay.
TYPES OF ANESTHESIA
Rhinoplasty can be performed under local
or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and on
what you and Dr. Makki prefer.
With local anesthesia, you'll usually be lightly sedated, and your
nose and the surrounding area will be numbed; you'll be awake during
the surgery, but relaxed and insensitive to pain. With general
anesthesia, you'll sleep through the operation.
Incisions
are made inside the nostrils or at the base of the nose, providing access
to the cartilage and bone, which can then be sculpted into shape.
The
surgeon removes the hump using a chisel or a rasp, then
brings the nasal bones together to form a narrower bridge. Cartilage is
trimmed to reshape the tip of the nose.
Trimming
the septum improves the angle between the nose and upper lip
THE SURGERY
Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two,
though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery the skin
of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and
cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of
the sculpting will depend on your problem and your surgeon's preferred
technique. Finally, the skin is redraped over
the new framework.
Many Rhinoplasty operations can be
performed from within the nose, making the incision inside the
nostrils. Other cases will be performed by an "open" procedure,
especially in more complicated cases; where we make a small incision
across the columella, the vertical strip of
tissue separating the nostrils.
When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help your
nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints also
may be placed in your nostrils to stabilize the septum, the dividing
wall between the air passages.
A
splint made of tape and an overlay of plastic, metal, or plaster is
applied to help the bone and cartilage of the nose maintain their new
shape.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY
After surgery-particularly during the first twenty-four hours-your
face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull
headache. You can control any discomfort with the pain medication
prescribed by your surgeon. Plan on staying in bed with your head
elevated (except for going to the bathroom) for the first day.
You'll notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will
increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Applying
cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit
better. In any case, you'll feel a lot better than you look. Most of
the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks or so.
(Some subtle swelling-unnoticeable to anyone but you and your
surgeon-will remain for several months.)
A little bleeding is common during the first few days following
surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several
weeks. Dr. Makki will probably ask you not to blow your nose for a week
or so, while the tissues heal.
If you have nasal packing, it will be removed after a few days and
you'll feel much more comfortable. By the end of one or, occasionally,
two weeks, all dressings, splints, and stitches should be removed.
After
surgery, the patient has a smaller nose, a straighter bridge, a well defined nasal tip, and an improved angle
between the nose and upper lip.
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about
within two days, and able to return to school or sedentary work a week
or so following surgery. It will be several weeks, however, before
you're entirely up to speed.
Dr. Makki will give you more specific guidelines for gradually
resuming your normal activities. They're likely to include these
suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity (jogging, swimming, bending, sexual relations-any activity that increases your
blood pressure) for two to three weeks. Avoid hitting or rubbing your
nose, or getting it sunburned, for eight weeks. Be gentle when washing
your face and hair or using cosmetics.
You can wear contact lenses as soon as you feel like it, but glasses
are another story. Once the splint is off, they'll have to be taped to
your forehead or propped on your cheeks for another six to seven weeks,
until your nose is completely healed.
Dr. Makki will schedule frequent follow-up visits in the months
after surgery, to check on the progress of your healing. If you have
any unusual symptoms between visits, or any questions about what you
can and can't do, don't hesitate to call Dr. Makki.
YOUR NEW LOOK
In the days following surgery, when your face is bruised and
swollen, it's easy to forget that you will be looking better. In fact,
many patients feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery-it's
quite normal and understandable.
Rest assured that this stage will pass. Day by day, your nose will
begin to look better and your spirits will improve. Within a week or
two, you'll no longer look as if you've just had surgery.
Still, healing is a slow and gradual process. Some subtle swelling
may be present for months, especially in the tip. The final results of rhinoplasty may not be apparent for a year or more.
In the meantime, you might experience some unexpected reactions from
family and friends. They may say they don't see a major difference in
your nose. Or they may act resentful, especially if you've changed
something they view as a family or ethnic trait. If that happens, try
to keep in mind why you decided to have this surgery in the first
place. If you've met your goals, then your surgery is a success.
The information on this web site is only intended as an
introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine
whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the
result.
The best method of determining your personal options is to schedule a
personal consultation with Dr. Makki. He will be able to answer
specific questions related to your situation.
Please don't hesitate to call for any questions that you might have
