What should I consider when getting a rhinoplasty?

Miss Lydia Badia, expert nose and facial plastic surgeon of the East and Badia clinic at Harley Street, explains the basic of rhinoplasty and what to keep in mind when considering nose surgery. 

What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, sometimes referred to as a nose job or nose surgery, is a procedure to improve the appearance of the nose. Rhinoplasty is usually performed to improve the look of the nose, but it can also be performed for functional reasons, such as improving the air flow in the nose. It can be a surgical procedure performed under anaesthetic, but it can also be performed as a medical procedure with injectables, which are temporary, but equally provide a good benefit for the patient. Surgical rhinoplasty provides lifelong results, so the most important thing is to tailor that procedure to the patient - no 'one size fits all'.

What are the benefits of nose surgery?

It makes people more confident if the nose looks better. Patients that have had an issue with the appearance of the nose, most of them for many years experience a lack in self-confidence, so the aesthetic improvement of the appearance of the nose can be incredibly beneficial when considering the patient's self-image. The aesthetic improvement is important but so is the function of the nose in that having a blocked nose can be very dehabilitating to someone's life, so the benefit can be both functional and aesthetic.

What are the risks to consider when having a nose job?

No surgical procedure is risk free. The risks are very much dependent on what the treatment is, and what the procedure is. There are some risks which are inherent to having an operation, for example a little bleeding or bruising, but specific risks these days are quite rare. The patient should also consider the downtime of a surgical procedure, with bruising and puffiness of the face and of the nose. However, overall, rhinoplasty is a safe operation in the right hands.