Expert Spotlight

Dr Warwick Nettle
Plastic Surgeon

Nose reshaping

Many Australians would like to change the size or shape of their nose, according to a recent survey. But what can you expect from a consultation with a clinician and what are the treatment options?

“Most people want to alter the bridge or the tip of their nose. The nose tip may be too big or too small, too square or boxy, shapeless or droopy,” said Dr Warwick Nettle, who specialises in nose surgery (rhinoplasty).

However, it is not easy to completely define an aesthetically pleasing nose. A nose that looks good on one person may look out of place on another. There are also slight gender differences. Men usually want a strong bridge, and upturned nose tips may look good on most women but not on men.

Certain mathematical ratios may be used as a guide as to ideal proportions. But Dr Nettle prefers to define an aesthetically pleasing nose as “one that looks right on the face and fits harmoniously with other facial features.”

What happens in a consultation

In the initial consultation, you should discuss your goals of treatment with the clinician. You may want to take photos of the type of nose you like to the consultation.

You should also let your clinician know if you

• have had any previous injury to the nose
• have any breathing problems
• use any nasal sprays/drops
• have any allergies or hayfever.

Thanks to special computer software, you may even be able to look at digitally ‘morphed’ photos of yourself to get an idea of what you’d look like after the surgery.

What the nose reshaping procedure involves

Nose surgery involves reshaping underlying bone and cartilage. The surgery is usually a day procedure, which takes up to 2 hours. It is usually performed under general anaesthesia and patients commonly have local anaesthesia injected into the nose as well.
 

“The vast majority of patients say they experience little or no pain during and after the surgery,” said Dr Nettle.
 
After the procedure, you will have a splint on your nose to hold the bones in the right position for about a week. You are likely to be able to return to work 7-14 days later.

“In my experience, about 5–10% of patients may need a small touch-up,” said Dr Nettle.

Nose reshaping is primarily a surgical procedure but injectable fillers may be occasionally used to fill any dents or depressions in the nose. These filler treatments are temporary.

While most patients seek a nose job for cosmetic reasons, Dr Nettle said many experience some improvement in breathing after the surgery due to a reduction in obstruction of the nasal airway.

“The two important things about the nose are breathing and shape. It is a real test of the clinician’s skill and technique to marry the two,” he concluded.