The surgery

Before Surgery

Additionally to surgeon consultation, it is mandatory to have also a consultation with an anesthesilogist and to make blood tests. For patients from foreign country, it is eventually possible to have this consultation with your own anesthesiologist.

15 days before surgery, smoking should be stopped as well as taking aspirin.

The day before, the patient will have a light diner and will diet after midnight.

The D-day

The Rhinoplasty

From the beginning to the final placing of a splint over the nose, aesthetic rhinoplasty will be exclusively performed by Dr Aiach and Dr Duron. 

Mostly, rhinoplasties are performed under general anesthesia. Nevertheless, in a few cases, we can do it under local anesthesia.

On average, the procedure takes 2 hours (between 1 and a half and 3 hours).

Incisions are inside the nostril and, mostly, on the columella (thin part of the nose situated between the nostrils). This incision called "external approach" is now very frequently used in USA and Europe. It brings a better exposure of the tip cartilages and permits a more precise work on it. It will just leave a 5 mm scare almost invisible because it is in a shadow area.

After incisions, the surgeon will analyse deformities of the cartilages and the bones and correct it. Procedures use reductions, fold and sutures techniques. One can also use cartilage grafts if needed. Such grafts can be harvested in the septum, the ear or, rarely, the rib (for big deformities in secondary rhinoplasty). They are never rejected because they come from the patient himself.

A deviation of the nose will always be corrected in the same stage in order to improve breathing.

At the end of the surgery, one can decrease wide alar with a small incision in the crease between the ala and the cheek.

At last, a metal splint is placed on the nose and small packs are put in the nostrils.

Follow up

The patient stays one night in the clinic. Nostril packs are removed the first day and generally, after the surgeon visit, the patient is in good conditions to leave. Medicines are prescribed and printed early post operative instructions with emergency number are given. 

It is usual to have swelling during 2 to 4 days, and sometimes bruise for 7 to 10 days but this varies a lot from one patient to another. In case of pain, pain-killer are efficient.

Day 6

Metal splint and columella stiches are removed on the 6th day. Sutures inside the nose are resorbable and do not need to be removed.

Day 6 to 10

Usually, a normal social life is possible after 6 or 8 days even if a small oedema persists. Remaining bruising can be masked with cover mark.

Complications such as bleeding or infection are exceptional and quickly treated.

During all this period, you can call or visit tour surgeon at the office for asking questions or being reassured.

The Final Result

As in any cosmetic procedure, a 100% result can not be given before the surgery. Healing process varies significantly from one individual to another . This is particularly true for rhinoplasty where the skin has to cover the underlying carilaginous structures whithout becoming bulky or fibrous.

After surgery, rhinoplasty patients become very observant of any details or minor defects they would not have noticed befor surgery. If a touch up is necessary (less than 5%), it will be made after 6-12 months minimum.

Where are the scars after a rhinoplasty ?

After a rhinoplasty, there will always be scars inside the nostril. Furthermore, often, there will be a scar under the columella (thin part of the nose situated between the two nostrils).

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