Rhinoplasty aims to achieve consistency between the nose and the rest of the facial features. However, it is not considered an entertaining process for many people, and although it accomplishes a cosmetic purpose for many of them, for others, rhinoplasty is a necessary procedure to address nasal issues such as breathing disorders, nasal obstruction, and a deviated nasal septum. These problems occur in the structure of the nose or because of an accident, and they can be resolved either by reducing the size of the nose or altering its heights and depressions that directly impact the face and making it symmetrical and consistent with facial features as much as possible.
What are the different types of rhinoplasty?
Many rhinoplasty procedures vary depending on the desired cosmetic or therapeutic objective, such as the following:
• Augmentation rhinoplasty: Typically, this procedure is done for therapeutic reasons. Due to incomplete growth or other absence of any of the parts of the nose, a repair is undertaken.
• Reduction rhinoplasty: This procedure aims to reduce the tip of the nose, or the width of the nose, or reduce the nose bridge itself to achieve consistency with facial features.
• Post-traumatic rhinoplasty: This is emergency plastic surgery that must take place within a week to 10 days at most after the accident; which affects the bones in the nose and creates dysfunction.
According to how the procedure is carried out, there are two different forms of rhinoplasty: open and closed. The difference between them is where the surgical incisions are made by the surgeon in the nose, whether they are external or open incisions that are visible specifically between the nostrils or internal incisions that are covered and leave no external scars after the procedure. The open rhinoplasty approach produces the best outcomes because it gives the surgeon more freedom to modify the nose's structure. However, the closed rhinoplasty procedure has a shorter recovery time and less post-surgical swelling than the open procedure.
Steps of Rhinoplasty with Dr. Mina Mamdouh:
After determining that your psychological and physical health are suitable for rhinoplasty, the anesthesiologist will apply the appropriate type of anesthesia. Then, if the procedure is an open type, Dr. Mina Mamdouh makes a surgical incision in the skin of the nose from the outside to expose the nasal bones. He then starts to reshape and correct the nasal bones, cartilage, and septum, with the addition or removal of any bones or cartilages necessary to address the case. After the procedure is complete, all surgical incisions are closed and bandaged. Depending on each situation, the surgery lasts between one and two hours in the operating room.
Dr. Mina Mamdouh, a specialist in plastic surgery, body contouring, and sculpting, will give you the following instructions before you undergo rhinoplasty:
• Be sure to let him know your medical history and whether you have any inherited or chronic illnesses.
• A thorough physical and laboratory assessment to determine whether you are a candidate for rhinoplasty and whether you are ready to be generally anesthetized.
• Be sure to let him know if you take any medications regularly, stop smoking if you do, and avoid consuming any alcoholic beverages at least two weeks before the procedure.
• To prevent bleeding before and after the procedure, stop consuming aspirin and dietary supplements at least two weeks before the scheduled surgery.
• Take pictures of the shape of the nose, and determine the appropriate changes that will occur in it after rhinoplasty, its angles, and how this plastic surgery may affect your breathing process.
• Measure the nose's skin thickness and the strength of its bones and cartilage.
• Try to keep taking vitamin E supplements and fish oil.
• Avoid applying salicylic acid to the nose four days before the procedure.
• Try to get used to breathing through the mouth for the first few days following the procedure, as well as sleeping on your back; as it is not permitted to sleep on both sides, at least a week after the procedure, to reduce swelling.
• Drink plenty of water two days before the surgery, as well as natural juices.
Side effects that may result from rhinoplasty:
Rhinoplasty is like any other surgery that is performed under general anesthesia. It has several risks or complications that may result from inexperienced doctors, such as:
• An allergic reaction to the general anesthetic used.
• Infection or bleeding during or after the surgery.
• Increased breathing difficulties through the nose and breathing through the mouth.
• Changing the direction of the nose, thus the nose's appearance is not straight.
• The appearance of scars on the nose or a change in its color to an abnormal color.
• Wrongly puncturing the nasal barrier.
Questions that you should discuss with Dr. Mina Mamdouh before the surgery to try to achieve the best outcomes:
You should discuss:
1. The possible shape of your nose that will appear following the surgery.
2. When the final result of the surgery will appear.
3. Instructions that you must adhere to after the surgery.
4. The hospitalization period after the surgery.
5. The time after which you can resume your regular schedule of work and life.
6. The likelihood that you'll need rhinoplasty again.
7. The extent to which high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other chronic disease has an impact on surgical outcomes and the rate at which wounds heal after surgery.
8. The type of rhinoplasty that suits you (open or closed).
After rhinoplasty, Dr. Mina Mamdouh will provide you with these instructions on how to achieve a beautiful nose:
Following rhinoplasty, you may experience breathing difficulties and swelling in the nose. So, you should be careful to follow these instructions to reduce these swellings and experience the surgical results as soon as possible:
• Avoid itching, touching the surgical site, or moving the bandages that are placed on the nose after the procedure.
• Keep the head elevated so that it is above the level of your chest; to reduce the post-surgical swelling as much as possible.
• Commit to taking prescribed antibiotics and painkillers after the surgery; to pass the recovery period safely.
• Avoid carrying anything heavy or doing any violent exercise or strenuous physical activity.
• Commit to dressing the surgical incisions, as Dr. Mina Mamdouh told you.
• Do not laugh or smile vigorously, or even brush your teeth hard.
• Commit to eating a healthy diet as much as possible to speed up the healing process.
• Avoid placing ice or anything heavy on the nose.
• Avoid wearing glasses on the nose for at least a month after the surgery.
