What is Reduction Rhinoplasty or Nose Reduction?
Nose Reduction is reshape the nose is a very common plastic surgery procedure and it can both increase and decrease the size of nose. The shape of the tip, the bridge and also the nostrils can be changed as can the angle between the nose and the upper lip. Sometimes breathing difficulties can be corrected at the same time.
How is the Nose Reduction performed?
If you’re having your nose made smaller, your surgeon will usually make cuts inside your nostrils to reach the bone and cartilage. Sometimes, a cut is also made across the skin between your nostrils (the columella) and this technique is called open rhinoplasty. Some of the bone and cartilage will be removed or rearranged to achieve the shape you have agreed with your surgeon. The skin over your nose won’t be touched. It will shrink down to its new shape.
It may be necessary to also make your nostrils smaller to keep your features in proportion. Your surgeon will need to make cuts in the skin of your nostrils to do this. This will leave fine scars on each side. The operation is usually done under general anesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the operation. It takes one to two hours, usually performs as an outpatient but sometimes you may need to stay in hospital for a night or two.
How is aftercare for Nose Reduction surgery?
Keep your head up as much as possible. Sleep in a raised head position with extra pillows for at least the first two days after your operation or until the bruising has gone down.
Keep the splints on your nose dry and don’t have a hot bath until the splint has been removed.
Don’t blow your nose for at least the first week, only wipe it gently. If you need to sneeze, don’t try to block the sneeze.
Don’t remove any crusts in your nostrils until you see your surgeon to have the splints removed.
Don’t do any strenuous exercise or contact sports, such as rugby or football, for at least six weeks.
What result can I expect?
If you are in middle age or if you have a very large nose, there may be a limit to the amount of reduction that can be achieved to the size of your nose within the limitation of the elasticity of your skin to shrink down on the smaller frame.
How is Nose Reduction recovery?
There is always some bruising and swelling for Nose Reduction, particularly around the eyes, which can take up to three weeks to completely disappear and you would need to wear a firm splint over your nose during part of this time. By the end of three weeks, swelling will have settled sufficiently for you to look normal to others and as if you had not had recent surgery.
What do I need to do to prepare for Nose Reduction surgery?
If you smoke you may be asked to stop, as smoking increases your risk of getting a chest and wound infection, which can slow your recovery.
Don’t have the operation if you have a cough, cold or sore throat because this can increase your risk of infection and bruising reschedule it for after you have recovered. If you have any concerns, contact your surgeon for advice.
You will be asked to follow fasting instructions. This means not eating or drinking, typically for about six hours before the operation. However, it’s important to follow your anesthetist’s advice as some may allow sips of water up to two hours before the operation.