A full Rhinoplasty is done under general anesthesia. This is one of the most delicate and complicated operations that we do. The nose consists of a skeleton framework made up of bone and cartilage. A Rhinoplasty involves making changes to this skeleton framework allowing the skin to drape over it to give a new shape. Mr Khan refers to Rhinoplasty as  ‘A surgery of millimeters’ where a few millimeters being taken off or added from the bone and cartilage makes all the difference. This change in skeleton creates a new shape and skin drapes over it. To achieve this precision, a lot of expertise and experience is required.

This is a usual and understandable concern. Especially as sometimes reshaping of the nose can involve removal of a bony hump or fracturing of a nasal bone to make it narrow. In spite of this it is surprisingly not a painful procedure. Mr Khan ensures that  adequate post-operative care is given after this procedure. Appropriate painkillers will be given to you and usually after the first 24 hours paracetamol on its own is enough.

As explained above, due to the need for bony work, bruising is inevitable. However, Mr Khan uses very fine osteotomes (surgical instrument) to break the nasal bone so that the damage is very precise and localised. This technique causes little bruising which usually settles in a week to ten days. You will be encouraged to sleep in an elevated sitting position or with a few pillows under your head for the first few days to minimise any bruising. Photographs of past patients will be shown to illustrate this.

In order to allow the broken nasal bone to reset in a new position, a splint is put on which is removed in seven to ten days. Like any bony fracture, nasal bones take three months to heal. Therefore, during this time you have to be very careful to try not to injure the nasal bone. For example, avoid contact sports during this time.  Other exercises can be started after two to three weeks.

This will depend on what changes need to be made to your nose and this is something that is discussed in the first consultation with Mr Khan. For any significant work to the nasal tip, Mr Khan uses an open Rhinoplasty technique. This means that a small cut is created under your nose and the skin is lifted off to adjust the underlying skeleton. This scar heals very well and is not noticeable in nine to twelve months. Photographs of past patients will be shown to illustrate this.

You may experience an initial altered sense of smell with the occasional offensive odour. However, this is not permanent and settles down to normal in a few weeks. This initial altered sensation of smell occurs due to crust formation inside the nose. This can also cause some difficulty breathing. Mr Khan will give you a nasal spray or drops to put in your nose to soften this crust so that it comes out easily. After three weeks you will be able to blow your nose and these crusts will then clear. Your throat may become dry due to breathing through mouth and frequent small sips can be helpful.

Once the splint comes off after seven to ten days, you will be able to see the major changes made. However the nose is susceptible to a significant amount of swelling after surgery, which can take sometimes up to a year to completely settle down. Therefore, as the swelling improves, the changes made to the nose will become more and more apparent. Results of surgery are also dependent on thickness of nasal skin.

This varies from patient to patient and is also dependent on the type of job you do. At  least two weeks off is recommended.

Surgery should never be taken lightly as it carries risks and Mr Khan will discuss these. Risks and complications that can come with any operation are also relevant for a Rhinoplasty. These could be both from the operation and from the general anesthetic. Whilst complications can occur, Mr Khan takes a lot of precautions to avoid these. These will be discussed with you when you come to see him.