Correcting the shape of the nose is one of the oldest and most common procedures in plastic surgery. A broad nose can be slimmed, a hooked nose straightened and a drooping nose tip lifted. The objective is harmonious facial features which match the personality and to which the nose shape is suited. In all corrections of the external shape of the nose, function is taken into consideration. Breathing should not be inhibited. If there are existing breathing problems, these should be treated at the same time as the nose correction.

Planning on the computer

With the aid of computer simulation, the patient is able to see a very graphic image of the results of nose correction beforehand. Together with the patient, the shape of the nose is analyzed on the screen and any possible changes simulated and discussed. This makes the decision about an operation easier and guarantees greater precision in carrying out the treatment.

The recovery and post-operative phase is decisive for the success of the treatment – and sufficient time should be allowed for this. In most cases a clearly visible bandage has to be worn for up to a week after the operation. Thereafter strips of plaster have to be worn for a further five to seven days to accelerate the reduction in swelling. The nose has to be protected against bumps and external interference for a further four weeks. Sports activities are therefore only possible to a limited extent.

Prior to the operative intervention, blood tests and an electro-cardiogram (ECG) are carried out, a safety measure to ensure that the risk of intervention is not increased by any unfavorable conditions. On the basis of the tests and the information provided during consultation, the anesthetist will decide which medication you can take regularly

The consumption of alcohol and nicotine should be avoided on the day of the operation and, above all, on the preceding evening.

The intervention itself lasts about 1 – 2 hours and is usually carried out under general anesthetic in the presence of a specialist anesthetist.

In nose correction small incisions are positioned immediately behind the opening of the nostrils, so that no scars are visible later. These incisions allow the cartilage and bony structures of the nose to be exposed in order for the necessary corrective measures to be carried out. The nasal bone is also often altered to the new shape, which involves swelling and discoloration in the region of the cheeks and eyes.  

In this operation, all the corrective measures necessary on the structure of the nose are carried out from the inside through the nostrils, as far as possible (closed method). This means that no external scars are visible afterwards. For larger-scale corrections in the region of the tip of the nose, an incision in the septum is necessary (open method). This is practically invisible later.

All incisions in the nose are sutured with absorbable thread, eliminating the need for later removal. At the end of the intervention, a special bandage is applied and a nose tamponade inserted, which is removed after only a few hours. Occasionally the tamponade is left in place until the following morning.

In order to reduce the after-effects of a facelift such as swelling or discoloration to a minimum, the region of the eyes and cheeks are cooled immediately after the operation. Pain is not to be anticipated.

In most cases the nose tamponade is removed a few hours after the operation, to allow unobstructed breathing through the nose. On the day after the operation the nose is cleaned inside. An ointment is applied to accelerate the shedding of the scab.

After a week the nose bandage is removed and replaced by a strip of plaster, which remains in place for a further five to seven days. From this time, at the latest, the nose looks completely normal.

The alterations to bony structures, however, need a further four weeks to heal. In this time, special care is important. It takes a little longer for all wounds to heal completely and the remaining swelling to disappear.

The nose only feels completely natural again and attains its final shape after about six months.

 

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Facelifting

Nose correction

Forehead lift

Lid correction

Wrinkle treatment