Nose Augmentation
What Nose Augmentation Means And Involves
Nose augmentation goes by many names, some of which can be a bit misleading, so before going into too much detail, let's first define a few terms. An operation designed to change the shape of the nose in one way or another is called rhinoplasty. The term rhinoplasty applies whether the nose is being made larger. smaller, or simply changed in shape. Rhinoplasty is also called by many a "nose job", inelegant perhaps, but nearly everyone knows what it means.
Augmentation Means Adding - In most cases, rhinoplasty involves removing cartilage or tissue from the nose to change its shape or make it smaller. The term nose augmentation however implies that something is being added to the nose, or the nose is being made larger. Nose augmentation is also called rhinoplasty augmentation, and sometimes is referred to as a "nose lift". Nose augmentation is most commonly sought by those of Asian decent for the purpose of raising the bridge of what otherwise may be a rather flat or wide nose.
Autologous Or Homologous? - Whereas regular or primary rhinoplasty involves incisions and the removal of tissue, a nose augmentation procedure more often than not involves implants being placed into the nose. If there is not a necessity to remove much tissue, nose augmentation is sometimes advertised as being a non-surgical approach, although incisions have to be made to put implants in place. While synthetic materials such as silicone can be and are used in nose augmentation procedures, autologous implants are generally preferred. Autologous implants simply mean that the material used in the implant consists of bone, cartilage, or other tissue that is taken from the patient's own body. This is preferable, as the risk of infection or possible rejection is significantly less. For those who are not particularly queasy about the idea, implant material can also be sourced from cadavers. This is referred to as a homologous implant.
Nose augmentation that involves primarily implants and not a significant removing of tissue is usually accompanied by a rather quick recovery as opposed to a primary rhinoplasty procedures. The nose and the area around the nose are apt to be swollen for at least two weeks, or until about the time the stitches are removed. Swelling may continue for some time after, but usually begins to recede in a couple of weeks.
Both Technique And Aesthetics Important - It can be take several months before the nose finally settles into its new and permanent shape, but there is always the chance that the new shape will not be exactly as planned. This does not happen often, but the plastic surgeon will usually mention the possibility as one of the risks involved. Rhinoplasty and rhinoplasty augmentation are delicate surgeries, even though the adding of implants sounds like a simple and straightforward procedure. Plastic surgeons specializing in nose surgery have to be not only highly skilled in surgical technique, but need to have a sense of aesthetics as well, as nose surgery is in some ways a kind of art form. A surgeon who does not have a good understanding of how the final outcome will look, and how attractive it can be would be a surgeon best avoided. Designing a new nose, which is in fact what the rhinoplasty surgeon is doing, really involves taking into account the shape and appearance of the face as a whole.
Any operation carries certain risks, from the possibility of infection or other complications, or as in the case of plastic surgery, the risk of the final result being something different from the expected result. Rhinoplasty or nose augmentation is certainly not major surgery, and the patient can usually go home the same day. One of the risks with nose augmentation however is that on the surface it appears to be a simple operation, one which any surgeon could perform, even a relatively inexperienced one. Choosing a surgeon inexperienced in plastic surgery involving the nose would be a very risky approach to take.