Nose reshaping surgery (rhinoplasty) in Plymouth

Why choose Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital for your nose reshaping surgery?

At Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital our facial cosmetic surgeons are renowned for their excellent surgical outcomes, not just in Devon but the wider South West region. Our consultants can provide you with the cosmetic results you desire with rhinoplasty, (commonly referred to as a 'nose job').

Our experienced cosmetic surgeons are fully supported by our attentive and skilled matron-led nursing team, who are dedicated to ensuring your comfort and care whilst staying at our Plymouth Hospital.

We are proud of our consistent service and our excellent primary care. Patient satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do and our private patient rooms do not disappoint. Each room features an en-suite bathroom, widescreen TV, telephone and free wireless internet for your privacy and comfort.

Reasons you might consider rhinoplasty include:

• Cosmetic - you may not like the shape or size of your nose and this may be having a negative impact on your self-confidence
• Medical - you might have suffered an injury to your nose causing it to be broken or appear crooked. Or you may have nasal blockage causing permanent breathing problems. Rhinoplasty is considered as reconstructive surgery if there are medical reasons for the procedure.

What happens during nose reshaping surgery?

• A rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthetic
• The length of the procedure and the technique used will depend on how much your nose will change
• Your surgeon in Plymouth will refine the tip of your nose by removing some of the cartilage
• If you have a hump (dorsum) on your nose it can be shaved down
• Your surgeon can also straighten and narrow your nasal bones by breaking and then setting them
• Your surgeon may need to rebuild part of your nose
• The operation can be performed from inside the nostrils (closed rhinoplasty) or your surgeon will make a small cut in the area between your nostrils to expose the underlying area (open rhinoplasty)
• Be sure and discuss what method will be used with your surgeon
• You may need to spend one to two nights in hospital
• You may have a splint held over your nose by tape and your nose may be packed
• If your nose is packed you will need to breathe through your mouth until the packing is removed the morning after your surgery
• To control swelling and bruising you may be given ice packs
• You will be given pain relief medication.

Going home after rhinoplasty surgery at Plymouth Hospital

• You may experience bruising, swelling or numbness
• Icing the area will help ease swelling and bruising
• You will need to be off work and stay way from groups of people for at least 2 weeks to avoid catching cold
• Strenuous activity should be avoided for between 4 - 6 weeks
• You will need to rest in an upright position for the first few days and avoid bending down
• The splint will be removed after 7 -10 days
• Although you will see immediate improvement following your rhinoplasty, your appearance will continue to improve over the next 6 - 12 months
• You will need to have a discussion with your surgeon before engaging in any strenuous impact/contact sports.

Every patient heals at a different rate after nose reshaping surgery. The below can be used as a guide to recovery:

Day 1-3

• Might be some blood coloured watery fluid coming from your nose
• You might feel a bit down and will feel like you have a heavy cold. Do not blow your nose
• May have slight nose bleeds

Day 4-7

• Should begin to feel a lot brighter. Bruising and Swelling beginning to go down now
• If you were contact lenses, you should be able to wear them but continue to sleep sitting up
• Make sure that you keep the nasal splint dry. Any external stitches will be removed

Day 7-10

• You can blow your nose now (gently) and sleep lying down
• Check your outpatient appointment time - you can soon have that splint removed
• Eyes may still be black but the bruising is beginning to fade

2 weeks

• Much of the bruising and swelling is gone
• Most patients are ready to go back to work or at least feel they can go out and about
• Any remaining bruising can be covered up with make-up

3 weeks

• Most of the swelling has gone now
• At the end of this week, you can return to more vigorous exercise if you like (unless your consultant advises otherwise.)

2 months

• You will still feel some numbness and stiffness at the end of your nose – this will continue to improve with time
• It will be fine to return to any form of contact sport
• Apply high factor sunscreen until at least the six month stage

6 months

• Swelling continues to reduce. The shape of your nose will continue to refine

12 months

• Nearly all healing complete
• Any refinement needed will be done at this time.

Specific complications of a rhinoplasty may include:

• Bruising and swelling
• Altered sense of smell
• Altered breathing
• Minor bleeding
• Injury to nerves
• Graft rejection.