Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)
Do you feel like your nose is not in proportion to your face? Are you bothered by the appearance of humps or depressions on the bridge of your nose? Are you suffering from breathing problems due to a structural defect in your nose? If so, you may benefit from a nose job surgery at Dr Ritz clinic in Malvern, Melbourne. Also known as rhinoplasty, the procedure is designed to enhance the appearance of your nose. It can also be performed to correct a nose defect in order to improve breathing.
Rhinoplasty benefits
A nose job with Dr Ritz can offer patients the following benefits:
- Boosts self-confidence
- Corrects structural defects in the nose
- Creates balance between other facial structures
- Improves breathing
- Improves overall facial aesthetic
- Improves quality of life
- Increases or decreases the size of the nose
- Reforms a broken nose
Ideal candidates for nose job
During your initial consultation, Dr Ritz will conduct a full health assessment. This helps determine factors that can affect the outcome of your procedure. In general, we recommend rhinoplasty if you have:
- A nose size that is too big or too small for your face
- A nose that is too round or too pointy
- Breathing problems due to structural nose defects
- Good physical and mental health
- A hooked or crooked nose
- Humps or bumps on the bridge of your nose
- Low self-esteem due to the appearance of your nose
- Realistic expectations of what nose job can achieve
- Unbalanced gap between your nose and upper lip
You are not a good candidate for the procedure if you have:
- A serious medical condition
- Allergy to the anaesthetic or any of its components
- Bleeding disorder or poor healing ability
- Unrealistic expectations
Initial Consultation
During your initial rhinoplasty consultation, Dr Ritz will discuss all you need to know about the procedure. This includes the benefits, risks, and complications associated with your surgery. He will discuss with you your expectations and desired results. This ensures that you will gain a better understanding of the procedure as well as your options.
To get a preview of the results of your surgery, we utilise the Vectra 3D imaging technology. This state-of-the-art-tool takes 3D photographs of your face. Once the image is obtained, it will provide a real-time simulation of the results. You will also have another consultation two weeks before your surgery. This allows our plastic surgeon, Dr Ritz, to answer any further questions you may have.
What happens during the surgery?
First, an anaesthetist will administer general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will then make a cut within your nostrils to expose its structures. Once the incisions are made, your surgeon will reshape the inner bone and cartilage of your nose. If more cartilage is needed, your surgeon will take it from inside your nose or other body parts. The incisions will be then closed using small sutures to secure the new appearance of your nose. A splint will be applied outside your nose to support it during the healing process. After a week, the splint and bandages will be removed.
What can you expect after the surgery?
After your rhinoplasty surgery, it is normal to experience mild to moderate pain. Swelling and bruising are also present on the incision site. These discomforts are expected and will disappear in a few weeks. You may also feel that your nose is stuffy or congested. A special gauze will be placed inside your nose to prevent bleeding. A splint will also be applied to your nose bridge to support the area. This will also reduce swelling and will help maintain the new shape of your nose as it heals. To prevent any discomfort, you will need to take pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.
How much does a nose job cost in Melbourne?
The total cost of the nose job surgery may vary from patient to patient. This will depend on several factors such as:
- Cost of additional procedures (e.g. fat grafting to achieve a dramatic increase in nose size)
- Initial consultation fees
- Materials used during the procedure such as support garments, dressings, and antiseptic solution
- Medications used
- Payments for follow-up care
- The clinic or hospital fees
- The type of anaesthesia used
- Your anaesthetist’s fees
- Your surgeon’s fees
Another important factor to consider is whether your insurance provider will cover the costs of your rhinoplasty surgery. A nose job is an elective procedure which means that it is not emergency surgery. For this reason, your insurance provider will not cover the costs of your procedure. However, if rhinoplasty is performed for medical reasons, there will be reimbursements to cover some of the costs of your procedure. This includes nose reconstruction to correct structural defects or improve breathing.
It is important to keep in mind that whatever elements are not covered by your health insurance are out-of-pocket expenses for you. Therefore, you should talk to your insurance provider before your surgery for clarification.
During your initial consultation, we will give you an honest breakdown of the total costs of your procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the risks and complications associated with the surgery?
There are general risks and complications associated with any surgery. In the case of rhinoplasty, these include the following:
- Allergic reaction to the anaesthesia and materials used during the surgery
- Blood clot formation
- Delayed healing
- Development of raised or thickened scars
- Impaired sense of smell
- Infection that may need antibiotic treatment or additional surgery
- Narrowing of the airways that can cause difficulty breathing
- Numbness or changes in sensation at the operated site
- Reopening of the wound
- Severe pain, swelling, and bruising
- Uncontrolled bleeding from the incision site
- Unsatisfactory results that may need another surgery
- Weakening of the structures of the nose
What self-care strategies are needed after the surgery?
Before you go home, we will provide you with specific postoperative instructions regarding how you care for your healing nose. These include the following:
- Avoid strenuous activities as much as possible
- Clean your wound and change dressings regularly
- Do not blow or rub your nose for eight weeks to prevent injury
- Do not wear glasses or sunglasses for a minimum of two weeks
- Maintain your head in an upright position
- Refrain from eating salty foods
- Report any bleeding, severe swelling, and other unusual symptoms to your surgeon immediately
- Take your medications as prescribed by your surgeon
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
- Wear protective clothing when going outside
When will the results become noticeable?
This will depend on several factors such as the following:
- How you care for your surgical wounds
- The surgical technique
- Your desired results
- Your healing ability
- Your nose condition
In most cases, noticeable swelling of the nose is present in the first two weeks after your surgery. After the second week, the swelling will gradually subside. After four months, the swelling will completely disappear. However, you may need to wait for at least one year to achieve the full results of your rhinoplasty surgery.
Will the scars become noticeable?
No, the surgical incisions of a nose job are usually created through your nostrils. This means that the scars will not be visible. In some cases, the incisions can be made between your nostrils or at the base of your nose. Our plastic surgeon Dr Morris Ritz uses the most advanced surgical techniques to reduce scarring. This keeps your scars as inconspicuous as possible, resulting in natural and discreet results.
If you need more information about the rhinoplasty procedure, or you are ready to proceed with the initial consultation, Dr Ritz is ready to talk with you about all procedure details in his clinic.