Nose reshaping surgery at The Vale Hospital

Why choose Nuffield Health The Vale Hospital for your nose reshaping procedure?

Nuffield Health The Vale Hospital has been leading the way in cosmetic surgery in South Wales for many years. Our staff's dedication to patient care and wellbeing, combined with our hospitals state-of-the-art facilities help create an exceptional hospital environment for our valued patients.

One treatment where our cosmetic experts excel, is nose reshaping surgery or rhinoplasty. Our consultants can deliver their patents the aesthetic needs they desire, through a personalised treatment plan inclusive of all costs, with no hidden surprises.

Patients at Nuffield Health The Vale Hospital can rest assured that they are in the best possible hands for their treatment.

How to book a private consultation at Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals

If you are looking to undergo nose reshaping surgery and want to discuss your treatment options with one of our consultants in either Cardiff or Vale, you will need to book a private consultation via our dedicated hospital enquiry team on 02920 006737.

Our 2 hospital locations in South Wales allow you to shape your own nose reshaping treatment

The rhinoplasty procedure itself is performed at our Vale Hospital, however patients have the flexibility to decide where their initial consultation takes place. As well as the Vale Hospital, our cosmetic experts operate out of the more centrally located Nuffield Health Cardiff Bay Hospital for initial consultations and pre-op assessments.

Reasons you might undergo rhinoplasty at The Vale Hospital

• Cosmetic - You may not like the shape or size of your nose and this may have damaged your self-confidence for years
• Medical - You might have suffered an injury (often through sport) 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 at The Vale Hospital 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 your nose reshaping surgery

• 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, but the below can be used as a guide:

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.