Dependent upon your individual circumstances your rhinoplasty may be carried out by either the ‘open’ or ‘closed’ methods. If you are having a closed rhinoplasty the cuts that your surgeon makes will be inside your nostrils. This takes less time, leads to less swelling, and means that you will recover faster. Not all patients can achieve their desired outcome using the closed method. If you are having an open rhinoplasty then the surgeon will also need to make a cut on the skin between your nostrils. This may leave you with a small visible scar.
After making the initial cuts, the surgeon will reshape the cartilage and/or bone in your nose to achieve your desired result. The surgeon will usually close the cuts inside your nose with dissolvable stitches so that you don’t need to have them removed. If you have stitches outside your nose you will need to have them removed after 1 week.
After the operation you may have dressings (nasal packs) inside your nostrils for 1-2 days; this will stop you breathing through your nose. You may also have splints inside the nostrils and on the outside of the nose which you may need to wear for up to 2 weeks following the operation.