Good candidates for rhinoplasty or nose surgery are people who are generally healthy but are self-conscious or unhappy with the appearance of their nose and may also be experiencing nasal airway blockage, both of which may be a result of nasal trauma. Plastic surgery can restore balance and proportion to the face and can improve breathing and sleeping problems.

At NorthEast Plastic Surgery, we specialise in nose surgery, helping patients achieve the natural looking results they want.

What does rhinoplasty involve?

Rhinoplasty involves making an incision (cut) under the tip of the nose, or inside the nostril. The skin is separated away from the internal structure, which is made up of cartilage and bone. The surgeon then sculpts the bone and cartilage to improve the overall shape. The skin is re-draped back over the internal structures and the incisions closed.

Nose surgery shouldn't be performed until the nose is completely formed - around 16 for girls and 17 for boys. If the surgery is done before the bones of the face are fully formed, it can disrupt the normal growth and development of the face.

What can rhinoplasty correct?

The procedure can correct birth defects, a broken nose that never healed properly, damage from an accident or trauma, or errors from previous surgery. It can:

• shorten nasal length
• reduce nasal width
• reduce the size of nostrils
• reduce overall size of the nose
• remove bumps, lumps, depressions and deviations
• restore symmetry

Even slight changes to the shape of the nose can have a dramatic effect on appearance and can change how people interact with you. However, it is important to have realistic expectations of what your surgeon can achieve with nose surgery - they can make improvements to the existing shape and structure of the nose, but can't give you a completely different nose. Your re-shaped nose needs to fit naturally with your own facial features.

Additional procedures

Sometimes, altering the shape of the nose can throw other features out of balance. Your surgeon may recommend another procedure, such as chin surgery, so that your face as a whole is more balanced and in proportion. Your surgeon will be able to guide you in what changes you can make to achieve the best result.

Choosing a surgeon

Nose surgery is permanent, so it makes sense to do your homework and choose a surgeon who has lots of experience in performing the procedure you require. Ask to see 'before and after' photos, so you have an idea of what is achievable and what you consider to look natural and aesthetically pleasing.

You should choose a Surgeon with whom you feel comfortable and who has significant experience in performing rhinoplasty. In Australia, any medical doctor can perform cosmetic surgical procedures without specialist training. Plastic and Reconstructive surgery is a recognised specialty and requires several years of specialist training in a dedicated training program after having completed a basic medical degree.

You should look for doctors who are plastic surgical Fellows of one of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, including the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Royal College of Surgeons of England. Such Fellows have completed post graduate training in plastic surgery and work under strict professional and ethical guidelines. However, training in plastic surgery does not necessarily mean training in cosmetic surgery, so always specifically ask your surgeon if they have undertaken dedicated training in cosmetic surgery. In Australia, the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery is the only College that offers formal training and accreditation in cosmetic medicine and surgery. If the Surgeon you visit doesn’t have their qualifications on display, ask to see them.

Choosing a Surgeon with these professional qualifications makes it more likely that you will get a result you are happy with and will potentially reduce the risk of complications.

Next step

NorthEast Plastic Surgery have highly skilled surgeons, Mr Patrick Tansley and Dr Sugitha Seneviratne, who can discuss with you any questions you have and guide you on what can be achieved.  If you have questions, simply click on the enquire button below.  If you would like to book at consultation (cost $140), click on the book a consultation button below.  Or you can call us on (03) 9088 5000 for Melbourne or (07) 3180 3400 for Brisbane.