Open Nose Reshaping

The first step towards understanding open nose reshaping is learning about your nose’s anatomy. Its framework is made out of cartilage and bone. The bone supports your upper portion. In some cases dorsal humps can appear on your dorsum. The nose’s lower portion is kept in place by cartilage. All these elements will determine the shape of the nose. If any part shows deformities you might want to consider nose reshaping. The good news is that medicine did advance to a degree where almost anything can be done.

When open nose reshaping (also known as open rhinoplasty) is performed, the doctor will make small incisions inside the nostrils and on your columella. This appears in contrast with closed nose reshaping as the physician can lift skin from the cartilage and bone of your nose. By doing this the doctor can take a close look and your nasal framework. Precise adjustments can be made to its structure and shape. You should know that small instruments are used in order to perform the actual reshaping. Based on your personal case, operations that can be done include adding or removing bone, tissue or cartilage. All is performed in order to achieve your desired appearance. Some physicians will prefer open nose reshaping because better assessment of the cartilage and bone is possible. You should know that both closed and open rhinoplasty will give great results. In the end, all depends on the personal wishes and recommendations of the doctor that will perform the cosmetic surgery.

An open nose reshaping procedure will last between 2 and 4 hours. Before the operation begins you will have the area of treatment cleansed. The doctor can then choose to administer local or general anesthesia. The start of the procedure sees the physician making 2 incisions. One is across your columella and the other one will be done inside the nostrils. The inside area of your nose is exposed with the use of a retractor. The skin noticed along your columella will be dissected by using surgical scissors. Both the retractor and the surgical scissors are used to dissect the rest of the skin noticed on the cartilage. The end result is a visibility of the nose’s framework. Precise adjustments to the shape of the nose can then be performed. Once the reshaping is over the incisions are closed. Most doctors will use dissolvable stitches to do this. Your physician might also decide to use nasal airway splint in order to gain support and stabilize your nose. A splint will also be used in the event that bone modifications were performed. The use of splints and bandages will then help in the tissue healing process.

Keep in mind that we are talking about a surgical procedure. This basically means that you should expect bruising, swelling and some pain. The good news is that the symptoms will disappear starting a couple of days after the surgery was performed. The bandages, splints and stitches will most likely be removed after one week. You should know that swelling will still be a reality for few weeks to come. Minor swelling can even last for few months. As bruising and swelling start to disappear you will start to notice the actual effects that open nose reshaping surgery had on your appearance.

We recommend that you pay close attention to what the doctor will tell you at the initial consultation. You will gain all the information required and make sure that you also ask what you want to know. A good physician will explain everything and will show you that he has the needed experience to perform open nose reshaping.