Rhinoplasty

• Are you unhappy with the shape of your nose?
• Is your nose too big?
• Does your nose have a large “hump”?
• Is the tip of your nose too big and round?
• Does the tip of your nose droop?
• Is your nose twisted or bent?

Would you like your nose to look normal?

Read this page to find out how your nose can be fixed

What can make a person unhappy about the shape of their nose?

The nose is the most important feature of the face. When we talk, we look at each other’s face and cannot avoid seeing the nose.

When a person is unhappy with the shape of their nose, it can affect their dealings with other people. They may feel embarrassed and self-conscious. They may avoid contact with others or limit their conversations. It can affect their self-confidence. Reduced self-confidence can affect their work and social-life.

What can affect the shape of the nose?

There are many factors that can affect the shape of your nose. These include:

• Injuries: Bumps to the nose when growing up can result in bends and twists
• Family: Certain nose shapes run in families
• Ethnicity: Your ethnic ancestry will have an impact on the shape of your nose.

What are the common problems with the nose?

• Large nose: A nose that is too big for the face
• Dorsal Hump: When the hard bony upper part of the nose sticks out in a bump
• Over-Projection: When the tip of the nose sticks out too far (projects) from the face
• Under-Projection: When the tip of nose does not stick out far enough from the face and appears flattened
• Bulbous tip: When the tip of the nose is big and round, lacking in refinement
• Droopy tip: When the tip of the nose droops down too low
• Over-rotated tip: When the tip of the nose is turned up too high, exposing the nostrils
• Hook nose: The combination of a hump with a droopy tip
• Twisted or bent nose: When the nose is not straight from top to bottom

How do I make an appointment to see Dr Singh about rhinoplasty?

Call our staff to make an appointment. You will need a referral from your GP.

What will Dr Singh do during my appointment?

Dr Singh will:

• Ask detailed questions about your nose and what you would like done with it
• Examine all aspects of your nose
• Pass a special super-fine camera to examine the inside of your nose. You can watch the camera on a TV screen. Special numbing spray is used so that you will not feel the camera.
• Take high-resolution photos of your nose in our custom-built digital photography suite
• Using high-tech computer imaging software, Dr Singh will change your pictures to show you the final expected results of your surgery. Together with Dr Singh, you can explore the possibilities of your new nose!

You can come back and discuss your surgery with Dr Singh as many times as you like before deciding to have an operation – you should not go ahead until you are happy. Dr Singh even recommends you consider seeking a second or third opinion before going ahead.

Where is the operation performed?

In the interests of patient safety, Dr Singh only performs rhinoplasty surgery at Lakeview Private or Westmead Private Hospitals.

Will I be awake during surgery?

No. You will be completely asleep under “General anaesthetic”.

Will there be any cuts or scars?

There are 2 methods of performing rhinoplasty – “Open” or “Closed”. Using a “Closed” approach results in no visible scars on the outside. Using an “Open” approach requires a tiny cut across the underside of the nose, between the nostrils – once healed, this is almost invisible.

Dr Singh is one of only a handful of Australian rhinoplasty surgeons formally trained in BOTH “Open” and “Closed” techniques and will advise you which method is best for your situation.

Will I have a plaster?

Yes – there will be a plaster on the nose for 1 week.

Will there be bruising?

Bruising under the eyes is normal after rhinoplasty. Different people have different amounts of bruising. The amount of bruising is NOT a reflection of how complex the surgery was. The amount of bruising is NOT a measure of the skill of the surgeon!

How long will it take for the nose to recover?

When the plaster comes off, the nose will be swollen. After a few weeks, this swelling goes away and the nose is close to its final shape. There will be minor changes in the appearance of the nose up to 6-12 months after the procedure. This is a normal part of the healing process for all human tissue.

Are there any alternative treatments to surgery?

Yes. There are always options and it is always your choice as to whether to have surgery. In general, you can try other options first and choose surgery if nothing else works. Non-surgical options include:

1. Do Nothing. If your problem is not severe, you may choose not to have any treatment at all.
2. Cosmetic treatments.You may wish to consider non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
3. Fillers. Sometimes fillers and injectable agents are able to address concerns and avoid the need for surgery.

We recommend that you discuss things with your GP first and consider trying non-surgical options. Only seek referral to Dr Singh if you are completely committed to surgery and have realistic expectations of the results.

Are there any risks to surgery?

Yes. Everything we do in life has risks. Even something as simple as crossing the street has risks... but we still cross the street. Dr Singh will explain the risks of your operation and provide you with an information pamphlet that explains the risks in detail. If you have any questions about risks, ask Dr Singh during your consultation.

What should I do next?

See your GP. If your GP thinks it is appropriate, your GP will recommend a referral to see Dr Singh

I have already seen a surgeon and had a rhinoplasty operation on my nose. It didn’t work! What should I do?

Dr Singh is an expert in primary rhinoplasty (first-time rhinoplasties). Revision rhinoplasty (patients who have had previous rhinoplasty with another surgeon) is more challenging as the techniques used by the original surgeon are often unusual and can only be seen after the nose has been opened up in surgery. Such cases can be quite difficult to fix. In the past few years there has been an increase in patients undergoing rhinoplasty surgery overseas and with non-specialist surgeons. For this reason, Dr Singh does not routinely see cosmetic revision rhinoplasty patients.

We recommend that you return to see your original surgeon first. If nothing further can be done and you still have symptoms, you may email our office and we can suggest surgeons who have a special interest in revision cosmetic rhinoplasty. Dr Singh always works together with your GP and your other specialists to achieve your best health outcome.