Rhinoplasty: Cosmetic Surgery for Enhancing the Nose

Before she became a supermodel, Giselle Bundchen had to slim down her large nose. While her group went on a long hiatus, Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child had her nose trimmed down. Katie Holmes had a newly built-up bridge. Giselle, Kelly and Katie are only three of the many celebrities who have had a nose job and came out looking even more fabulous than before.

All three had rhinoplasty, a cosmetic surgery performed to reshape the nose. Rhinoplasty can make a nose smaller or larger, change its angle in relation to the upper lip, change the tip, correct unsightly bumps, indentations and other defects. This particular cosmetic surgery can reshape the nose so that it is in proportion with the rest of the face. It is also done to correct structural problems in the nose, which cause chronic congestion and breathing problems. Simply put, rhinoplasty is done to enhance the nose.

In general, rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure. However, there are cases when the doctor who performs the surgery requires the patient to stay overnight in the hospital. The procedure is done using general or local anesthesia. Doctors who perform rhinoplasty are trained in otolaryngology, the branch of medicine specializing in diagnosis and treatment of the ear, nose and throat.

During rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes cuts to reveal the bones and cartilages supporting the nose. The cuts are made inside the nose so that they are not visible. Depending on the kind of nose job being performed, the surgeon may remove some bone and cartilage or he may add tissue taken fom another part of the patient's body or use a synthetic filler. Once the bone and cartilage are rearranged and reshaped, the surgeon places the skin and tissue over the nose and closes it. To support the new shape of the nose, a splint is placed outside the nose. In some cases, nasal packing is used for additional support.

Depending on the kind of nose correction that a patient wants, the results of rhinoplasty may be minor or significant. Prior to the surgery, patient and plastic surgeon should be on the same page regarding the goal to be achieved. A patient needs to have realistic expectations, which the plastic surgeon shares. This way, the surgeon will be able to perform the task to the patient's satisfaction.

The results of a rhinoplasty procedure is pretty much permanent. However, an injury or some other factor can change the nose's appearance. Another important thing to mention is that rhinoplasty should be done only on a nose that has fully developed. In women, the nose is fully developed at 15 or 16 years of age. In men, the nose is fully developed at 17 or 18 years of age. If rhinoplasty is performed before the nose has fully developed, the nose will continue developing, affecting the results of the surgery and possibly causing complications.

Today, the desire to look beautiful is magnified a hundredfold in the media. Images of skinny models and six-pack biceps dominate the print, television and online media. Many women and men have been convinced that in order to be beautiful, they should undergo some kind of cosmetic surgery. Rhinoplasty is just one of the more popular type of cosmetic surgery that many have had or are thinking of having. But here's a friendly advice...unless you have a medical or health condition that only a kind of cosmetic surgery can fix, stick to what you already have.