Rhinoplasty

How it works

The bridge is raised with an implant such as silicone or Gore-Tex, or with your own cartilage. The tip is usually shaped by grafting cartilage taken from the ear or septum. A hump is filed down from the bone and cartilage that protrude. Function and appearance often come together, so a problem like a deviated septum needs diagnosis first.

Used for

• Correcting a low or deviated bridge
• A tip that reads blunt or droops
• A hump that stands out in profile

Cautions

• Implants carry long-term risks including capsular contracture, infection and visibility through the skin
• Using your own cartilage creates a second wound at the donor site (ear or rib)
• The final shape is judged after six months — a trip cannot settle the result

Aftercare

• A splint usually stays on for five to seven days, limiting washing and glasses until then
• Heavy swelling subsides in two to three weeks; fine swelling takes months
• Do not press or rub the nose after surgery