Rhinoplasty in Medellín

Rhinoplasty, nose surgery and nose job are different names for the same thing: changing the shape, size or proportions of the nose. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), it can also correct breathing problems that come from the structure of the nose, such as a deviated septum. When only the septum is straightened, the surgery is called a septoplasty; when it's done together with a rhinoplasty, it's called a rhinoseptoplasty or septorhinoplasty. Your surgeon decides whether you need both at your in-person consultation.

The ASPS describes two ways to do the surgery. In a closed rhinoplasty, the incisions are hidden inside the nose. In an open rhinoplasty, an incision is made across the columella, the strip of skin that separates the nostrils. To make the nose smaller, bone or cartilage can be removed, and to shape it, cartilage grafts can be added. That cartilage most often comes from the septum, sometimes from the ear and rarely from a rib. Your surgeon decides what you need when they examine your nose.

A rhinoplasty isn't always the answer.

• If you want a small change without surgery, there's nonsurgical rhinoplasty with hyaluronic acid filler. According to the ASPS, filler only adds volume: it doesn't make the nose smaller or improve breathing. The effect is temporary, and that consultation is with our aesthetic physician.
• A small chin can make the nose look bigger. In that case, we also look at chin surgery, on its own or together with a rhinoplasty.

If you're not sure which applies to you, we'll go over it with you at your consultation.

According to the ASPS, you may be a good candidate if your face has finished growing, you're in good health, you don't smoke and your goals are realistic. Put the other way around, now isn't the time if:

• Your face is still growing. Your surgeon assesses this.
• You're not in good health right now. If your test results aren't in order, surgery is postponed.
• You smoke and don't plan to quit before surgery.
• You expect your nose to look exactly like the one in a photo. The ASPS points out that every face has some asymmetry, so the result may not be completely symmetrical.

No surgery is free of risk, and rhinoplasty is no exception. The ASPS lists these, among others:

• Anesthesia risks.
• Infection.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Changes in skin sensation, such as numbness or pain.
• Skin discoloration and swelling.
• Poor wound healing or scarring.
• Septal perforation, meaning a hole in the septum. It's rare, may require another surgery and sometimes can't be corrected.
• A nose that doesn't turn out the way you expected, or the need for revision surgery.

Before you decide, we go over them with you and you sign an informed consent form.

Before surgery, you get your pre-op tests done and stop smoking. Go over the medications you take with your specialist: according to the ASPS, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements can increase bleeding. We tell you what to stop taking, how long to fast and what to bring. You'll need an adult to take you home and stay with you the first night.

Afterward, you wear a nasal splint and, depending on your case, nasal packing. The ASPS explains that swelling can come and go during the first year and tends to be worse in the morning. Avoid bumping your nose while it heals, protect yourself from the sun and keep every follow-up visit until you're discharged.