Nose surgery
A nose correction, surgically known as rhinoplasty, is the plastic surgery of choice to alter the shape and size of the central focal point of the face - the nose. The anatomy of the nose is complex and minor deviations in the configuration of bones, cartilages and soft tissue may lead to an aesthetically unpleasant appearance; the size and/or shape of the nose may not be in harmony with the rest of the facial features.
These deviations can be genetically inherited or acquired due to accidents or soft tissue diseases/damage. Depending on your individual case, a nose correction can either address the outer nose - cosmetic rhinoplasty, or the inner nose and the septum (in case of functional deficits like difficulties with breathing or snoring) - functional septorhinoplasty, or both at once.
Nose correction surgery has a very low complication rate and a very high satisfaction rate with our patients. Rhinoplasty can be performed either as an isolated procedure or in combination with other facial procedures such as facelift, browlift, frontal lift or chin augmentation with implants.
Pre-operative considerations include a thorough evaluation of your anatomy and bone structure. This includes the possible recommendation of complementary procedures such as a chin implant, for example, to correct facial skeletal imbalances which often exist in rhinoplasty patients. Our advice regarding the combination of procedures, your understanding of the 3 dimensional composition of your face and our in-depth knowledge of the different available techniques are paramount in obtaining long-lasting and natural results.
Rhinoplasty has had a huge, positive impact on how I look, feel and breathe. And the way they handled it made it a painless procedure with a very fast recovery.
| Rhinoplasty aftercare and recovery |
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| Rhinoplasty relevant risks |
| How long does a nose correction last? |
| Rhinoplasty alternatives |
| Ocean Clinics experience in nose surgery |
Eloise Long recently travelled from the UK to Spain, to have a nose surgery at Ocean Clinic. She talks about her experience, from initial consultation through to cast-removal.
⇒ Rhinoplasty - a patient’s experience
Rhinoplasty surgeons use mathematical formulas to improve facial symmetry. The face is divided into thirds and fifths. The nose should fit within a single section. We take measurements to assess if the nose projects too far or too little. The angle where the nose and forehead meet determines how long the nose appears.
The septum should not protrude over this imaginary line or dip too far below. The septum must not be deviated, which creates a lopsided appearance. Too much or too little columellar showing is undesirable. The ideal angle for the nose to be turned up is 90-95° for men and 95-105° for women.
Want a nose that is the perfect fit for your face? Speak to one of our surgeons.
The shape, cartilage structure, skin quality and eventual existing functional deficits of your nose are key in choosing the nose correction technique (open or closed rhinoplasty) best suited to you and if any functional corrections of the septum or the turbinates are necessary. We will examine and explain if any changes to your chin or cheek region are recommendable to achieve a balanced and harmonic result.
If you have trouble breathing you may suffer from internal nose problems like a deviated septum or an enlargement of the turbinates (concha). Our plastic surgeons may ask you for additional exams like an MRI Scan and will discuss every case with our collaborating ENT surgeons.
If your nose skin shows signs of photo-ageing like stains, pigmentation, fine lines / rhytids and a general loss of brilliance a peeling maybe recommended.
We will discuss with you if either an open technique (small cut on the base of the nose) or a closed technique (from inside the nostrils) is more appropriate, in case of the scar on the base of the nose it is normally barely visible after 2-3 months.
This kind of procedure is mostly performed under deep IV sedation (Twilight sleep) for tip refinement procedures, or under general anesthesia if the nasal bones need to be addressed. The procedure is generally pain-free and takes between 1-3 hours.
Recovery is 7-10 days, with some swelling and bruising during the first 7 days. Stitches may be removed by day 7 and swelling and bruising have mostly subsided after 10 days. Makeup can be worn after a week. There may be some numbness of the skin and hardness of the subcutaneous skin layers during the first 4-6 weeks before recovery is complete. It may take up to 1 year to achieve the final aesthetic result due to long lasting residual swelling of the nose.
The Ocean Clinic Concept is to avoid any unnecessary pain and discomfort. Most of our rhinoplasty procedures are performed under general anesthesia or at least intravenous sedation. This concept allows for a complete pain –free procedure. Postoperative pain in nose correction surgery is rare; most of our patients only have a slight feeling of pressure around the nose and in the forehead for 24-48hrs, treated with oral pain medication.
Most patients can go home on the same day and come for a check -up the day after; stitches are removed after 7 days. During the first postoperative 4 weeks our patients will be referred to our unique physiotherapeutic aftercare for quicker recovery and less swelling. Do not lift any objects beyond 5kg and avoid sports involving weights for 14 days.
Rhinoplasty surgery has very few complications if carried out by an experienced surgeon in an accredited facility. Rare complications include postoperative bleeding requiring revision, asymmetries of the nose, difficulties with breathing, unsatisfactory scar healing requiring scar correction at a later date and prolonged recovery due to swelling and/or hematoma. Changes in sensitivity of the skin are expected during the early postoperative period and disappear after 6 months.
Once a stable result is achieved after 12 months healing time, the results are, in most cases, stable for life.
Rhinomodelation with facial fat grafting alone is a possible alternative technique if a better shape of the nose back or tip can be achieved by adding volume, but the results are less dramatic than with a surgical nose correction.
Our surgeons performed over 300 nose correction procedures within the last 10 years and have a vast experience in reduction as well as augmentation rhinoplasty. We also offer ample experience in nose surgery for facial feminization in transgender patients.
At Ocean Clinic, we bring together the world’s leading plastic surgeons, specialists in nose surgery, with more than 15 years of combined expertise and experience in plastic and cosmetic surgery.
Specialist in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, expert member of the ISAPS association and founder of Ocean Clinic.
Plastic surgeon in Zurich and Madrid, member of the European Board of Plastic Surgery and adjunct professor at the University of Zurich.
The top plastic and cosmetic surgery clinic specializing in nose surgery, located in Marbella, Madrid and Zurich. With more than 15 years of experience and performing more than 1000 surgeries a year. Medical professionals, modern facilities, trust, experience and security. Come and meet us!
