Commonly known as rhinoplasty, nose reshaping surgery is usually performed to improve aesthetic appearance but can also be used to reconstruct the nose following an accident or in the case of a birth defect in rare cases. This procedure sometimes helps to improve breathing and has existed in India since 500 BC, making it by far the most established form of plastic surgery. Methods remain little changed today and the procedure remains popular within the entertainment industry.

Procedure information
Performed with the use of either a general or local anesthetic, nose reshaping surgery varies considerably but always involves the repositioning of the skin on top of the underlying bone and cartilage, meaning the two must first be separated. Incisions are therefore made within the nostril or at the joining flap between the two, the columella.

The extent to which the bone is reshaped and manipulated is the greatest variable involved. Usually the tip or bridge is reshaped, or in extreme cases, a transplant or synthetic implant is introduced to reform the nose during reconstruction. During cosmetic surgery in which a specific reshaping is requested for aesthetic reasons, the remodeling of bone and cartilage is usually minimal and designed to reduce the size of the nose or make it less prominent.

Recovery time
The recuperation period can be slow, but patients will usually feel close to normal immediately after the operation. Puffiness and swelling of the face, including around the eyes, is usually unavoidable and the head should be elevated for 48 hours following surgery.

Anything that can disrupt the nose in the first fortnight afterwards is strongly discouraged including the blowing of the nose, over exposure to the sun and washing. Patients should expect some bleeding and stuffiness in the nose for a short duration. Scarring is usually minimal and the lace where incisions were made inside the nostrils unnoticeable.