If youre keen to modify the appearance of your nose, youll be joining a long list of Brits whove made up their mind to have rinoplasty.

What is it? Nose reshaping surgery is a nasal surgery. The process can be done for medical reasons, breathing troubles, birth defects, or injury, or it may just be done for aesthetic cosmetic purposes. According to the recent records from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk), need for the procedure has moved up by 34 per cent in one year, making it the fifth most popular procedure for women in the UK and the most popular for men.

Nose jobs can decrease or increase the size of the nose, change the shape of the tip or bridge of the nose as well as taper the distance of the nostrils. Rhinoplasty is mainly of two types: reduction and augmentation. One of its subtypes is tip reshaping also called tip-plasty which involves reshaping the tip of the nose. Consultant plastic surgeon from the West London Clinic (www.westlondonclinic.co.uk) think that the nose can be called a balanced nose only when its tip is in proportion. Alex Karidis one of the leading cosmetic surgeons in London points out that gone are those days when people use to have to huge size button nose. Now people prefer to have proper shaped nose making reduction the most popular type of rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty and its uses Expert ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon Mr Kalpesh Patel declares: Many patients seek rhinoplasty wish to look normal and fit in. They want a nose that matches their face. Having surgery can entirely change their life and give them the confidence and self- esteem they were earlier lacking. Also, rhinoplasty can be done to improve nasal function for instance, due to a birth defect or injury thats led to breathing problems. Mr Ion comments that skin turns thin with the increasing age. Similarly, the fat around the nose looses resulting in the drooping of the nose. Thus, Rhinoplasty is more popular for people of old age bracket.

The rhynoplasty procedure

Your surgeon will do cuts inside your nostrils to reach the bone and cartilage. The shape of your nose will then be made by slightly removing and re-shaping the bone and cartilage. The closed technique of rhinoplasty comprises of all cuts being made within the nose. The cartilage is then removed from the nose and shaped without any fear of getting a scar. Mr. Patel states that a procedure now gaining popularity is open rhinoplasty, where the nose skin is pared to get easy access and allow a surgeon to watch what theyre doing, rather than relying on feeling their way. This procedure creates just a small scar on the columella (the skin between the nostrils), which should fade over time.

Rhinoplasty Cost Charges differ from place to place but is generally between 3,000 to 4,000.

Recovery period

After the rhinoplasty your face may be puffy, you may be experiencing pain, or you may have a dull headache. There will be some swelling and staining around your eyes. You will have a splint over your nose to hold the bones in position. A little bleeding is common after a rhinoplasty and you may have a stuffy feeling nose for a few weeks which will disappear after 6-12 months. Prevent from strenuous activities, have sunbathe to avoid bleeding.

Perils related to rhinoplasty Every surgery carries some uncertainty and risk and rhinoplasty is the same. There is a risk of infection and of having a reaction to the anesthetic. After surgery, small burst blood vessels may come out as small red spots on the surface of the skin. These are usually small, but may be permanent. Removing too much cartilage or bone can create an unnatural look and isnt desirable because it may hinder breathing. On a more positive note, some people find that rhinoplasty can in fact help to relieve their breathing difficulties.

How much reliable is rhinoplasty? Unlike other cosmetic surgery procedures (many of them need to be repeated later), you shouldnt need to redo a nose job unless youre unsatisfied with the outcome. Mr. Patel states that in about 10 per cent of rhinoplasty cases theres a poor aesthetic outcome and five per cent of patients will wish to have the surgery again. Healing takes time. Some swelling, generally visible only to you, may continue for several months. You can expect to watch the final results of your rhinoplasty six to twelve months after your surgery.