Rhinoplasty (RIE-no-plas-tee) is surgery that changes the shape of the nose. The reason for rhinoplasty may be to change the appearance of the nose, improve breathing or both.
The upper part of the structure of the nose is bone. The lower part is cartilage. Rhinoplasty can change bone, cartilage, skin or all three. Talk with your surgeon about whether rhinoplasty is appropriate for you and what it can achieve.
Your other facial features, the skin on your nose and what you would like to change are considered when planning the procedure. If you’re a candidate for rhinoplasty, the surgeon will develop a personal plan for you.
Sometimes part or all of a rhinoplasty is covered by insura
Rhinoplasty may be done inside the nose or through a small external cut, known as an incision, at the base of the nose, between the nostrils. The surgeon will likely readjust the bone and cartilage underneath the skin.
The shape of the bones or cartilage in your nose can be changed in several ways. It depends on how much needs to be taken out or added, the nose’s structure and available materials. For small changes, cartilage may be taken from deeper inside the nose or from the ear.
For larger changes, cartilage from a rib, implants or bone from other parts of the body can be used. After these changes are made, the skin on the nose and tissue are put back, and the cuts are sewn together.
Sometimes, the wall between the two sides of the nose, known as the septum, is bent or crooked. This is called a deviated septum. It can be straightened during surgery to make breathing easier.
