Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)

Patients over 18 who want to correct congenital, post-traumatic or post-operative deformities, who aim to change the shape of their nose to suit their face better, and who are in good overall health are good candidates for a nose job. Patients under the age of 18 need parental consent.

As the nose must be fully developed before surgery, the youngest age to get a nose job is typically around 15-16 for girls and 17 for boys. Before the age of 18, parental consent and accompaniment are mandatory for patients who wish to undergo surgery. 

Although one-on-one interviews and psychological assessments are essential in every age group, the psychological state of the patient becomes even more important at this young age. In this period, emotional outbursts, impulsive decisions, and impatience are more common, which is why patients who want to undergo surgery should have realistic expectations about the healing process and the results of the surgery. A young person who attributes greater meaning to the surgery than it should have may be frustrated. Families should also handle this issue delicately. 

Patients with overall good health can get a nose job at any age, but the loss of elasticity in the skin and connective tissue at advanced ages is a factor that should be taken into consideration. As skin elasticity decreases, it becomes difficult for the nasal skin to adapt to changes in bone and cartilage tissues. 

For example, when the dorsal hump is removed in a thin-skinned patient with decreased skin elasticity at an advanced age, this patient is more likely to have wrinkles than a young patient with a same-sized hump. All procedures are planned meticulously, taking these into account, and patients are informed accordingly. 

While it varies depending on the method and the patient's needs, a nose job typically takes 1-2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia.

Depending on the procedure performed, patients can be discharged after 6 hours of follow-up or after spending a night in the hospital. If there is any pain, it can be easily relieved with simple painkillers. 

There may be minimal edema and bruising around the eyes after the surgery. Regardless of open or closed technique, edema and bruising are minimal in cases where soft tissue can be preserved. If bruising and edema are present, they will completely disappear within seven to ten days. 

Most patients feel well enough to return to work or school within one to two weeks. Two follow-up visits are required after surgery. The splint placed after surgery is removed after one week. After the surgery, follow-ups are performed every two weeks for two months and then once a month for a year through online meetings and photographs. 

While it takes anywhere from six months to a year for the shape of the nose to fully set in patients with thin and medium skin, this period can take up to two years in patients with thick skin. 

The patient may or may not need nasal packing after a nose job. Nasal packing is more likely to be used in operations where the patient's breathing problems are corrected and in cases where the roof of the nose needs additional support. However, gauze or cotton tampons are no longer used. Instead of these, most surgeons prefer silicone airway nasal splints, which make for a more comfortable post-operative period. 

It is vital to inform your doctor about the details of your overall health and the medications you take prior to the operation. This will help prevent problems and complications that may occur both during and after surgery. 

Regulation of blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure, normalization of thyroid hormone deficiency or excess, regular follow-up of diabetics and normalization of HbA1c levels, and normalization of blood levels in case of significant iron deficiency are necessary to achieve the best possible outcome in both the surgery and wound healing. 

In addition, details regarding the use of all kinds of medicine, vitamins, herbal supplements and tea, smoking, and alcohol should be shared with the doctor as they may affect the anesthesia and surgery process. 

It is recommended to sleep with your head elevated for the first few days after surgery and to sleep on your back for the first month. Bending down and lifting heavy objects should be avoided. Walking around the house and strolling in the park are perfectly all right as they help blood circulation, but even light exercise should be avoided until your doctor gives permission. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for around six weeks. 

It is crucial to avoid wearing glasses for three months to protect the structure of the nose. No matter how light the glasses are, pressure on the bridge of the nose can compromise the results of the surgery. It is recommended to wear contact lenses during this period. 

Contact sports and masks that compress the face, such as snorkels, should be avoided for two months. 

Patients should avoid wearing glasses in the early period after rhinoplasty surgery. Even if the glasses are very light, the pressure they apply can disrupt the new structure of the nose, cause pain and prolong the healing process. Therefore, it is essential to avoid wearing glasses for the first three months and to prefer contact lenses. 

As with any operation, nose surgery comes with some risks, such as bleeding and infection. There are also risks, such as breathing difficulties, dryness, swelling, and an unnatural look. All these can be avoided to a great extent if both the patient and the surgeon inform the other party thoroughly, the patient abides by the surgeon's recommendations both before and after surgery, and of course, the surgeon's planning and execution are meticulous. 

3D simulation devices that can model how the nose will look after surgery can be rather misleading in some cases because they do not take into account skin thickness and elasticity. This can lead to patient dissatisfaction. In the consultation, we ask the patient to explain and show us in detail what they want and what they do not want. We explain what kind of result we can achieve by showing examples from real life, from patients with similar problems. Thus, we can create a more realistic expectation about the appearance of their nose after surgery. 

While plastic surgery allows to create striking changes in patients' appearance, it should be kept in mind that the surgeon's most significant limitation is the anatomical structure of the patient. A nose shape that is perfectly suitable for one face may not be so for another face. Factors such as the patient's bone structure, face shape, and skin thickness may not allow the execution of that nose. 

However, we do encourage our patients to tell and show us exactly what they wish for. Your doctor will carefully listen to your wishes and needs, analyze them and implement them in the best way possible. A holistic approach is essential in rhinoplasty, and keeping expectations realistic is of great importance in patient satisfaction. 

If you are interested in getting a nose job in Istanbul, you probably want to find the best rhinoplasty surgeon in the area. Dr. Bora Ok has years of experience in rhinoplasty with thousands of satisfied patients and will be more than happy to sit down for a consultation with you. Please get in touch with us on Whatsapp +90 552 822 23 21 to schedule an appointment.