Rhinoplasty: Nose Implant in Thailand

Nose Surgery and Augmentation Surgery

Nose Implant or Augmentation Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that helps improve a patient’s nose. In general, surgeons use nasal implants to lift wide, flat noses with a large disproportionate nostril size. Other surgeons perform Augmentation Rhinoplasty to lift the ridge of a patient’s nose and make it more attractive. 
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In many nose surgery procedures, plastic surgeons would change the bone and cartilage of the patient’s nose. Some may also change the skin along with the bone and cartilage to create a more prominent nose for the Rhinoplasty patient.

Rhinoplasty Surgery Benefits

There are many different techniques that surgeons perform to make a nose shape suit a patient’s face, personality, gender, and age. Getting a Nose Job could improve:

• Noses with humps or depressions on the bridge
• Nose tips that are bulbous, hooked, or drooping
• The overall size of the nose
• Nostrils that are too wide
• Noses that are too big or small
• A deviated septum, or when a patient’s nasal septum is displaced to one side

Like every surgery, patients would be required to consult with a surgeon prior to the procedure. Speaking with an expert will help patients discuss their goals and get expert advice to help them make correct decisions. 
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During the consultation, surgeons would ideally suggest procedures that they can perform on a patient’s nose to achieve the desired goal. 

Augmentation Rhinoplasty typically lasts up to two hours. Patients may be given general or local anesthesia. 

Open and Closed Rhinoplasty

There are two different Rhinoplasty techniques that surgeons perform.

• Open Rhinoplasty
  This surgical procedure involves making an incision in the columella area, to access the structures of a patient’s nose, including the underlying cartilage and bone. Open Rhinoplasty gives the surgeon broad visibility of all the components of a person’s nose. 
• Closed Rhinoplasty
  During a Closed Rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes the incisions inside the nose. This means the procedure is unlikely to leave visible scars. This procedure has a slightly reduced recovery time. 
  
• Which is better?
  Closed Rhinoplasty is performed at a faster pace. Additionally, the patient would experience less swelling during the recovery period. However, an Open Rhinoplasty will allow the surgeon more room for precision for more complex cases. 

There is no “better” procedure. Each method has its own advantages, which the surgeon will take into consideration when creating a surgical plan. 

Materials used in Nose Implant

There are four different materials available for Nose Implants.

• Soft Silicone.
  This type of implant is extremely easy to shape. It has also been in use for a long time. However, there is a small chance that this material may cause a nose to tilt or deform.
• e-PTFE sheet.
  ‍This material is embedded and intertwined with a person’s nasal tissue. Also, it has less chance of creating a tilted or distorted nose when compared to the soft silicone implant. However, this material is more expensive than silicone. 
• Body tissue.
  ‍A surgeon would use a patient’s ear or rib cartilage to make a more prominent nose. However, the patient would have two surgical incisions, which are the rib and the nose. Additionally, this procedure can only be done with Open Rhinoplasty.
• PMMA customized implant.
  ‍The material will be molded according to the patient’s desired goal and specific needs. However, preparations for surgery will be more expensive as the patient would need to get a CT scan. The material also takes about a week to be prepared. 
  

Who is a good candidate for Nose Implant?

In general, a good candidate is:

• A person with a flat nose
• A physically healthy individual
• A patient who has realistic expectations

Preparing for Nose Implant

In preparation for Nose Implant, a patient may be required to:

• Consult with a plastic surgeon
• Get a physical examination and lab tests
• Stop smoking or drinking alcohol at least two weeks before and after the surgery
• Stop taking Aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements that prevent blood clotting

Procedure of Nose Implant

• The clinician would administer local or general anesthesia, depending on the surgeon’s recommendation
• The incision is made according to the method discussed during consultation.
• The implant is placed on the dorsal bone. The shape of the nose will also be adjusted to look more balanced and natural. 
• The incision is closed.

Nose Implant post-operative care

There are ways to help speed up recovery time:

• Keep the head elevated when in bed to reduce swelling
• Avoid strenuous activities
• Take baths instead of showers
• Avoid blowing the nose
• Avoid extreme facial expressions
• Avoid wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses for at least a month
• Limit consumption of sodium
• Do not use ice or cold packs following the surgery
• Attend all follow-up appointments

It may take up to six months for all the swelling to completely disappear. However, a good impression of the final outcome can be seen two months after the surgery.

Nose Implant risk and complications

• Unfavorable scarring
• Infections
• Asymmetry
• Scarring
• Swelling, bruising, or pain
• Allergic reaction from the implant
• Poor healing
• Bleeding

Questions to Ask a Doctor / Surgeon Before before Nasal Surgery

Dedicated plastic surgeons will take care to answer every question that a patient may pose before and after performing any procedures. It is often advised for a patient to list the questions on a paper in advance of the consultation.

Some key questions to ask a plastic surgeon before any surgery include:

• Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon?
• How many years of experience do you have in cosmetic surgery?
• Do you have specific experiences with related procedures, such as resizing or reshaping nostrils or placing cartilage grafts?
• Are the results I am seeking realistic?
• What are the limitations of this surgery?
• Will there be visible scarring?
• Would I need pain medication during my recovery period?
• What type of nose implants would be most appropriate to achieve my desired facial features?
• What is the treatment plan?
• Are there any concerns that I should be aware of?