The correction of the nose profile is carefully planned and discussed with you on the basis of photographs. Your wishes regarding shape and size will of course be taken into account, if technically feasible. However, it is important to ensure that the chosen nose shape really suits your face and harmonises with the rest of your facial features.
Rhinoplasty (nasal reshaping)
(Nose surgery)
As the centre of the face, the nose can easily become an eye-catcher. A nose that is too large or severely curved cannot simply be concealed, as is possible with disturbing features on the body. For many of those affected, the condition, which is seen as a blemish, becomes a real psychological burden. If, on the other hand, they decide to have a nose operation, they can literally breathe a sigh of relief.
In addition to the aesthetic blemish, there is often also a medical problem (e.g. obstruction of nasal breathing due to a curvature of the nasal septum). This can be corrected in the same operation.
Common nose operations include septorhinoplasty, rhinoplasty, nasal hump surgery, nasal tip correction and nasal reconstruction.
Reconstructive surgery and the nose
Reconstructive surgery also recognises corrections to the nose that become necessary due to an accident or congenital deformity, for example. Complex reconstructive techniques are used in particular for open nasal injuries where the skin has been destroyed in an accident and the underlying cartilage and bone material has been exposed. These techniques are also used in the case of malformations such as cleft nose, cleft lip, jaw and palate and the associated typical nasal deformity.
Nose surgery
On the day of your rhinoplasty, you will arrive at our practice one and a half to two hours before the procedure. You will be prepared for the upcoming procedure by the nursing staff and your doctors and informed about the planned type of anaesthesia.
Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic and takes approximately two hours. It can be performed on an outpatient basis in the day clinic or as an inpatient procedure, i.e. with an overnight stay at the Privatklinik Bethanien.
Nose surgery is performed with a small scar on the bridge of the nose or closed, i.e. without visible scars, inside the nose. The profile and size of the nose are adjusted by removing and shaping the bone and cartilage of the nasal skeleton and nasal septum from the inside. The inside of the nose is then stuffed with gauze strips (tamponade) and stabilised on the outside with a plaster cast.
Aftercare following a nose operation
The tamponade is removed after two to five days, the plaster cast after one week. The new nasal profile is then already clearly visible, although the swelling caused by the operation has not yet completely subsided at this point. The swelling will gradually subside over the following weeks, meaning that the final result of the rhinoplasty can only be conclusively assessed after several months. It is also normal for the contour of an operated nose to change again slightly within the first year. In rare cases, this may necessitate a minor follow-up correction.
Sports and other strenuous activities should be avoided for at least four weeks.
Facts and figures about rhinoplasty
Operation
1 to 2 hours, under general anaesthetic
Aftercare
Outpatient procedure, optionally 1 night in hospital, removal of the tamponade 2 to 5 days after the operation, plaster removal after 1 week
Sport
After 4 to 6 weeks
Sociability
Unable to work for approx. 2 weeks
Costs
From CHF 12,000
