Frequently Asked Questions
No one feature affects the way you look quite as much as your nose. A nose that is crooked or humped may detract from otherwise pleasing facial features. A nose that is too long or large can dominate your face. If your nose is not in harmony with the rest of your facial features or if it does not work as well as you would like, you may be a candidate for nasal surgery.
What is Rhinoplasty?
Surgery to change the appearance of the nose is called “rhinoplasty” and commonly known as a “nose job.” Dr Shahidi seeks to create a more harmonious facial appearance while maintaining or improving the breathing function of your nose. Even a minor correction can make a drastic difference to the overall facial harmony.
How do I know if my nose is suitable for rhinoplasty?
The first step to planning a rhinoplasty procedure is thorough examination of the nose and the reasons for wanting nasal surgery. It is important to seek nasal surgery because you want it and not to please others. Remember, the goal of surgery is an improvement and not perfection. Tell Dr Shahidi what you want your nose to look like. In response, Dr Shahidi will tell you if what you want is possible or he will suggest some alternatives after examining your nose.
Dr Shahidi will examine your nose carefully, checking its symmetry and studying the strength and the shape of the cartilage and the thickness and quality of your skin. He will then examine your nose internally using a nasal endoscope to fully evaluate the structural integrity of your nasal cavity. He will take photographs of your nose and analyse it from several angles. An important part of the evaluation of your profile includes your chin. People who want surgery to make larger noses smaller,are often surprised when their surgeon suggests a chin implant. The reason for this is a weak chin which can make your nose appear more prominent.
What is the best age for Rhinoplasty?
Many people wonder if there is a minimum age for nasal surgery or if you can be too old for it. Surgery to refine the appearance of the nose is best done after a young person has finished growing. This usually means around the age of 17. At the other end of the spectrum, nasal surgery can be done at any age as long as you are in good health.
Most elderly patients seek nasal surgery both for cosmetic reasons and because it helps maintain good breathing. As we age, nasal cartilage becomes thinner and loses its elasticity, causing the tip of the nose to lengthen and droop. This may interfere with nasal function.
How is Rhinoplasty done?
Dr Shahidi specialises in rhinoplasty surgery, so most of his cases are done without a visible scar. The cuts needed for nasal surgery are made just inside the rim of each nostril. Working through these incisions, Dr Shahidi can shave any excess bone and cartilage to reduce the hump, reposition the cartilage and bone, to narrow the nose and sculpt the nasal tip.
In some cases, Dr Shahidi may make an additional incision across the base of the nose between the nostrils. This incision is usually undetectable once it has healed. In order to straighten a crooked nose or to narrow its width, the nasal bones are cut. This is done in a controlled way with a specialised instrument. In this way, the pain and bruising is kept to a minimum. At other times, additional support is needed to strengthen a droopy tip. Dr Shahidi will usually construct a graft from your own cartilage or, on occasion, artificial cartilage may be needed.
After correcting the framework of the nose, the skin is re-draped and the incisions are closed with sutures. A small splint is applied to the outside of the nose and in most cases an internal splint is inserted to keep the framework of the nose intact. Most nasal surgery is done as a day surgery procedure under a general anaesthetic.
What to expect after the Surgery?
Most patients report little or no pain after nasal surgery and the discomfort is easily controlled with mild pain medication. Your nose will be stuffy for a few days and you must not blow your nose for at least one week. Dr Shahidi will give you antibiotics and pain relief medication if required. If you wear glasses, they must not put pressure on your nose for the first 4-6 weeks. Dr Shahidi will advise you on how to keep the weight of the glasses off your nose.
Internal nasal splints will be removed 7-10 days after the operation and the external splint will be removed at the same time. You should expect to experience some swelling and bruising around your eyes. Cold compresses will help reduce this and make you feel more comfortable. Most of the bruising subsides in about 3-4 weeks and any remaining bruises can be covered with make-up after a week.
Do not be surprised if you experience some emotional turmoil immediately after surgery. This is called “post-surgical blues” and it occurs in many people. The nice thing about nasal surgery is that your nose will continue to improve for several months to a year after surgery. It takes at least 6-12 months for most of the swelling to subside.
