Prior to the procedure, it must be clarified whether you have other illnesses or whether you are using medication that may affect the operation or anesthesia. It is particularly important to consider blood-thinning drugs. This must be clarified before the day of the operation, either with the ear-nose-throat doctor, ear-nose-throat outpatient clinic or your GP.

Good communication with the surgeon is essential to get the result you want. At the initial consultation, the surgeon will ask you how you would like your nose to look. You are welcome to bring pictures of your nose to give the surgeon an understanding of what you want. The surgeon assesses the shape of the nose and face, as well as the proportions, and discusses the possibilities with you. The surgeon also explains which factors can affect the operation and the outcome of the operation. This could be, for example, the structure of the nasal bone, the design of the nasal cartilage, the shape of your face, the quality of your skin and your age.

Which changes are possible to achieve depends on your unique circumstances. The surgeon and you must agree on the goal to be achieved with the rhinoplasty. It is not unusual for a plastic surgeon to have several consultations with the patient prior to a rhinoplasty. This is done to get to know the patient’s wishes better and avoid the patient having unrealistic expectations of the result.

During surgery on the bridge of the nose, the bone and cartilage are ground down and the nasal bone narrowed. If necessary, the nasal septum is also straightened at the same time.

With surgery on the tip of the nose, you can reduce or add cartilage where there is too much or where there is a little missing. If you want to raise the tip, you shorten the nasal septum a little in the upper part, while you remove something at the bottom to lower it.

It is sewn with stitches inside that dissolve by themselves. In those who have undergone surgery with an incision through the nasal septum, the stitches are removed after a week.

If you have operated on the nasal septum itself, thin plates are placed on each side of the septum to support it and prevent swelling and bleeding.
If you have had surgery on the bridge of your nose, a thin plaster cast is placed on it for a week.

For rhinoplasty, the incisions are placed inside the nose or on the underside.

• The nasal cartilage and nasal bones can then be shaped.
• The nasal bone is brought together, so that the nose becomes narrower and the cartilage at the tip is shaped.
• The tip of the nose is lifted by reducing the nasal septum.
• Finally, a plaster splint is placed over the bridge of the nose.

After the operation, you will usually have a bandage (compresses) inside the nose, and possibly an external splint around the nose. An internal splint may be inserted if you have had surgery for a breathing problem.

You must expect blood and clear fluid to drip from the nose until the bandage material is removed. This is normal. You use compresses to wipe away what drips from the nose.

For the first 12 hours after the operation, you should hold an ice pack over your eyes and cheek to reduce the swelling – but not so much that you get frostbite. Elevate your head (several pillows) at night to reduce swelling.

Remember the following

• Take it easy for a week. Rest and avoid physical exertion. Be on sick leave.
• Avoid blowing your nose for the first two weeks.
• If the root of the nose has been operated on, you should not wear glasses for the first week. If necessary, tape the glasses to the forehead and avoid pressure against the bridge of the nose.
• After any outer splint is removed, the nose will be swollen for a while. If extensive corrections have been made to the nose, it can take at least six weeks before you get an impression of what the nose will look like. And it can take 6-12 months for all swelling to disappear. Simpler interventions on the nose, for example correction of a crooked nasal septum, take on their new shape more quickly.
• Once the compresses in the nose have been removed, it can be useful to spray the nostrils four to five times a day with a saline spray. Since you cannot blow your nose for several weeks after the procedure, the salt water will help to clean and moisturize the nasal cavities. You can optionally make salt spray by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of salt in two cups of water – or you can buy (physiological) salt water at the pharmacy.
• For six weeks you should treat your nose as if you had a broken nose. Avoid getting hit by anything and don’t push it to the side.
• After two weeks, you can start to be more physically active, as long as it does not involve contact sports – which are prohibited for six weeks. Bending or lifting heavier than five kg must be avoided for the first two weeks after the operation.