Rhinoplasty is a precise surgical procedure aimed at correcting the aesthetic and functional aspects of the nose. This process encompasses post-surgery recovery, potential needs for revision, and long-term outcomes.
Targeting both aesthetic expectations and improvements in nasal functions, this surgical intervention requires detailed planning and clear communication between the patient and surgeon, as well as ensuring patients are informed about the potential results and lifelong effects of the surgery.
What You Need to Know About Long-Term Results
The recovery process after rhinoplasty requires patience. It can take about 12-18 months for the nose to become completely stable.
Swelling may occur after the surgery, which can temporarily make the nose appear larger. This swelling typically decreases in the first few weeks and months following the surgery. The formation of scar tissue in the surgical area can also contribute to the nose appearing larger.
It is sometimes considered normal for nasal swelling to persist for an extended period. The complete healing of the nasal tissues and the final shaping of the nose can take a long time. Prolonged swelling may be due to complications during the healing process. The complete healing and final shaping of the nose can take up to a year.
Nasal Bones
During the recovery following surgery, the bone tissue repairs and restructures itself. This can lead to the bones feeling somewhat thicker and larger. The formation of scar tissue after surgery can also sometimes contribute to the sensation of enlarged bones. This is not an actual growth of the bones but rather a reaction of the surrounding tissues.
In the initial weeks post-surgery, the bones are still not fully healed and are delicate, making the area prone to shifts in the bones due to impacts or pressure applied to the face.
Additionally, if the bones are not adequately stabilized during surgery, it can lead to the shifting of the bones afterward.
Nasal Bones typically heal significantly within 6-8 weeks, but complete healing and final shaping of the nose can often take up to a year.
Nostrils
Changes in the nostrils can occur after rhinoplasty. If there is a significant asymmetry between the nostrils, rhinoplasty can correct this asymmetry. The nostrils are reshaped based on preferences such as size change, correcting asymmetry, and aesthetic appearance.
Additionally, nostrils are not always symmetrical in most people. Genetic and environmental factors, trauma, and injuries can lead to an asymmetrical appearance.
Post-rhinoplasty irregular nostrils can be corrected with Weir excisions (removing a small amount of tissue from the outer edge of the nostril), suture techniques, grafts and implants, laser, and radiofrequency treatments.
Nasal Cartilage
Nasal cartilage can often swell due to various reasons, such as trauma, surgical interventions (e.g., rhinoplasty), infections, or certain medical conditions.
Additionally, nasal cartilage can become deformed due to reasons like trauma and injuries, surgical procedures, autoimmune diseases, and the aging process. All these processes can lead to deformations in the nasal cartilage and changes in its structure.
Also, during surgical procedures like rhinoplasty, the deliberate reduction of nasal cartilage is possible.
Rib cartilage used in rhinoplasty surgeries is commonly employed to support or reshape the nasal structure. Once the cartilage is removed from the area it is taken from, it does not regrow. Unlike bone tissue, cartilage, once removed, does not regenerate.
Apart from rhinoplasty, non-surgical treatments for repair are also possible. These methods are usually considered for minor nasal cartilage issues. For instance, filler injections can be used to eliminate mild cartilage deformities. However, this method does not correct structural problems and offers only a temporary solution. Another method involves the application of external splints or bandages to support and protect the nasal cartilage.
Nasal Tip
In rhinoplasty, nasal tip drooping (tip ptosis) can sometimes result from insufficient support to the middle columella of the nose. The nasal tip is supported by the cartilaginous structure of the nose, and when this support is inadequate, the nasal tip can droop overtime or take on an unwanted shape.
In the first few months post-surgery, a significant drooping or change in the nasal tip naturally occurs. It can take between 6 to 12 months for the nasal tip to settle completely. During this period, the contours and shape of the nasal tip gradually become more defined.
Additionally, swelling in the initial months can make the nasal tip appear higher or more uplifted.
The drooping of all nasal tips after rhinoplasty is not a condition experienced by every patient. The drooping or changing of the nasal tip depends on the nature of the surgery, the techniques used, and the individual healing process of the patient.
Post-Rhinoplasty Nose Taping
Taping is usually done to support nasal tissues, control swelling, and maintain the new shape of the nose. Without taping, there can be increased swelling, the formation of asymmetries, and the inability of nasal tissues and cartilage to stay fixed in the desired position.
Additionally, aside from applying short-term pressure on the nose, nasal tape cannot permanently alter the shape of the nose.
If the bandage is waterproof, one can carefully take a shower. However, care should be taken to avoid direct water exposure to the bandage.
Do Rhinoplasty Results Change Over Time?
Typically, the results obtained from rhinoplasty are long-lasting, but patients can experience minor changes over time due to aging and other external factors.
The final results of nose surgery are usually observed between 6 to 12 months post-surgery. In some cases, this process can take longer than a year.
Are People Satisfied with Nose Surgery?
Research shows that an average of 5% to 10% of people who have rhinoplasty are not satisfied with the results.
Why Your Nose Is Drooping After Nose Job?
As a natural part of the aging process, skin, and soft tissues can lose elasticity over time and change due to the effects of gravity. This can affect various areas of the face, including the nose.
However, most changes made through nose job, especially those on the cartilaginous structure, are permanent and usually do not result in significant drooping.
Rhinoplasty is typically permanent, and most patients remain satisfied with the results in the long term. However, natural changes associated with aging in the nose and facial structure, as well as environmental factors, can lead to some changes in the appearance of the nose over time.
It is known that approximately 5% to 20% of patients may opt for revision rhinoplasty as time progresses.
What if I hate my nose job?
If the results of your rhinoplasty do not meet your expectations and there is a medical reason, revision rhinoplasty can be considered. Revision rhinoplasty is a second nose surgery performed when the desired outcomes are not achieved or when changes occur over time following the initial surgery.
Reasons for considering revision rhinoplasty include unmet aesthetic expectations, breathing problems, or complications arising from the first surgery. It’s generally recommended to wait at least one year after the initial surgery to fully assess its effects and results before proceeding with a revision.
This waiting period allows for complete healing and stabilization of the nose, providing a clear picture of any issues that need correction.
What Happens to Your Nose as You Get Older?
As you age, the nose may appear larger due to the loss of skin elasticity and the effects of gravity, which cause the nasal tissues to sag.
The nose experiences its most significant growth during puberty. This process happens around the ages of 13–15 in girls and slightly later, between 15 and 17, in boys. After puberty, the growth of the nose generally slows down and is completed in the early adult years.
Long-Term Consequences of Rhinoplasty
- Nose surgery is utilized for aesthetic concerns and resolving breathing issues. If the surgery is aimed at correcting internal structures of the nose (such as septum correction), patients can experience improved breathing in the long term.
- Rhinoplasty can positively impact a person’s self-confidence and social interactions. Many patients report feeling better about themselves and being more comfortable in social settings after the surgery.
- Like any surgical procedure, nose job can have long-term complications or cases of dissatisfaction. In some instances, undesired results or complications may necessitate a revision (a second operation).
- While rhinoplasty offers permanent results, the structure of the nose is affected by the aging process. Over time, changes in skin elasticity and other factors can lead to changes in the shape of the nose.
