Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)

The following "Guide to Cosmetic Plastic Surgery" is an overview to cosmetic plastic surgery and was published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.

The goal of rhinoplasty is to reshape your nose so that it complements your other facial features. The earliest recommended age for rhinoplasty is the mid-teens when the nose is near full development. As long as you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for nose reshaping.

Reshaping generally is done through incisions inside your nose. In some instances, there may also be an incision on the under-side of your nose between your nostrils. If the base of your nose will be narrowed or the size of your nostrils reduced, this can be done by removing small wedges of skin at the base of your nostrils. The resulting scars fade and ultimately should be barely visible.

Your nose can be reduced, or built up, by adjusting its supporting structures. This is done either by removing or adding bone and cartilage. Your skin and soft tissues will assume their new shape over this “scaffolding.”

If you have breathing problems because of irregularity in the internal structures of your nose, adjustments can be made to improve your nasal airway. This can be done at the same time as alterations to the external appearance of your nose.

After surgery, some discomfort, swelling and bruising can be expected. You may be instructed to wear a nasal splint for a week or longer. You can begin wearing cosmetics as soon as it is removed. Your routine will be severely restricted for only a day or two, but it will be a few weeks before you can resume bending, lifting, and exercise. As long as your job does not involve activities that raise your blood pressure, you should be able to return to work within 10 days. Minor swelling of your nose may persist up to a year, but most likely this will not be noticeable to others. The final results of rhinoplasty are permanent and well worth the wait.

Illustrations from left to right:     1. Rhinoplasty can reshape your nose to remove a nasal hump and reduce an enlarged tip. It also can improve the angle between your nose and upper lip.     2. Incisions usually are made inside your nose to provide access to cartilage and bone which can be cut and reshaped to alter the external appearance. Moving the bone inward, as shown by the arrow can narrow the nasal bridge. In some instances, an “open” technique, which requires an incision on the underside of your nose between the nostrils, may be used.     3. Areas where cartilage and bone have been readjusted to improve the shape of the nose are shown.     4. Following surgery, your nose will complement your other facial features.

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The Plastic Surgery Center of Manchester, New Hampshire specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery, including body lifts, breast enlargements, breast lifts, breast reductions, eyelid surgery, ear surgery, facelifts, fat grafting, liposuction, neck and chin surgery, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), surgery after massive weight loss, and tummy tucks. We also offer facial rejuvenation (chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, Obagi Blue Peels, Glycolic Peels, Microdermabrasion), injectables (Botox) and facial fillers (Radiesse and Restylane) and advanced skin care to patients from all over New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts). While no responsible practitioner gives guarantees for the work they do on the human body, we can at least reassure you that you will receive the expertise and dedication of over 30 years in practice. Our patients become an important part of our family and we try to get to know each patient individually and customize their treatment to meet their desires.