"Nose jobs" (rhinoplasty) are the most sophisticated of all cosmetic surgeries, because the nose is a completely hollow structure.

The surgeon has to change the shape of the nose, while preserving intact both its support (outside walls) and its breathing function (inside wall).

Tiny incisions and minimum surgery are used to achieve maximum results with minimal swelling.

Nose surgery consists of removing the excess cartilage and gently filing down the excess bone.

The scars are hidden inside the nose. If it is necessary to decrease the size of the nostrils, a tiny scar is left at the base of each nostril.

Frequently, implants made of a synthetic sponge-like material may be used to augment parts of the nose and to improve the final result of the surgery. Infection of these implants is possible but uncommon. If an infection does occur, the implant is removed and replaced again a few months later. All stitches are absorbable.

To prevent pain, a new type of absorbable pack, like gelatin, is placed inside the nose and will gradually dissolve during the first week following surgery. On the average, nose surgery is performed within one to two hours.

At the end of the operation, a small plaster cast is applied to the nose. After a week, the cast is painlessly removed. Most of the swelling and discoloration around the eyes tend to disappear within the following week.

Your nose will continue to improve for at least a year following surgery. Therefore, do not expect to see your final result when the cast is removed. Do not be alarmed if the shape of your nose keeps changing during the first few months.

On the average, you are presentable and may return to work one to two weeks after surgery. Numbness of the upper teeth and mild nasal blockage may be experienced for a few days to a few weeks following surgery. Thick nasal skin makes the surgery more difficult, limiting somewhat its final result and prolonging recovery. This is because thick skin does not shrink as much as thin skin (therefore the nose cannot be made much smaller).

Often, the use of a synthetic implant, like a sponge, is required to achieve a superior result. In rare cases of extreme skin thickness, thinning the skin by sanding may be added to the surgery. Special medications may be administered following surgery in order to shrink the skin.

If you have thick nasal skin, your nose may be improved by surgery, but you must be patient while awaiting the final result and realistic in your outlook. In the case of revision surgery when the nose has undergone one or more previous unsuccessful operations, improvement is possible but the surgery is technically more difficult and the results more limited than in the case of a virgin nose.

In some cases, the appearance of your nose may also be influenced by some weakness in the features that surround it, such as flat cheeks,thin lips, a recessed forehead, a double chin, etc. These features can be corrected at the same time or shortly after nasal surgery to enhance the final appearance of your nose. Even a slightly weak chin can make your nose look bigger. In such a case, increasing the size of your chin by a few millimeters is recommended to improve the appearance of your nose.