If youre keen to transform the look 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 the procedure commonly known as rhinoplasty or having a nose job involves surgery to restructure the nose. Rhinoplasty showing a steep increase of 34% in its popularity in the last year has emerged as one of the top 5 surgeries for men and women. British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk) reported it as the most admired plastic surgery procedure among men.

Nose jobs have the ability to alter the size of the nose in its whole, eliminating a bump, changing the shape of the bridge or the tip of your nose and tapering the nostril openings. Rhinoplasty is chiefly of two types: reduction and augmentation. One of its subtypes is tip reshaping also known as tip-plasty which involves reshaping the tip of the nose. According to specialsist plastic surgeon Lucian Ion, from the West London Clinic (www.westlondonclinic.co.uk): The mark of a balanced nose is a tip thats in proportion. Leading London cosmetic surgeon Alex Karidis states: Reduction is still the most liked type of rhinoplasty. Luckily, the days of the button nose are vanished and patients are now looking for a more natural look.

How is it beneficial to you? Mr Kalpesh Patel ear, nose and throat surgeon points out that majority of the people choose rhinoplasty to improve the shape of the nose to look smart and assist those who experienced that the shape or size of their nose caused them awkwardness and social uneasiness. The procedure can be carried out for medical reasons also like breathing problems, birth defects, or injury, or it may just be performed for aesthetic beauty purposes. People often have rhinoplasty when they become older. Some may decide to choose rhinoplasty to restore their nose, says Mr Ion. Ageing can often cause a drooping of the nose tip because the fat in this area has been partially absorbed and because, as the skin reduces with age, the tip becomes more peculiar.

The rhinoplasty method

Your surgeon will make cuts inside your nostrils to get to the bone and cartilage. The shape of your nose will then be created by partially removing and re-shaping the bone and cartilage. The most important process is a closed operation, carried out from inside the nose and making no noticeable scars. The surgeon enters the nose through cuts inside the nostrils and reshapes the bone or cartilage to give the desired shape. Mr. Patel comments that a procedure now acquiring popularity is open rhinoplasty, where the nose skin is pared to gain easy access and allow a surgeon to observe what theyre doing, instead of relying on feeling their way. This procedure creates just a small scar on the columella (the skin between the nostrils), which should disappear over time.

Rhinoplasty cost Costs differ from place to place but is usually between 3,000 to 4,000.

Postoperative care

During the first day or so after your rhinoplasty, your nose will possibly ache. Your face will feel be swollen and puffy. You may have a headache. A little bleeding is normal after a rhinoplasty and you may have a stuffy feeling nose for a few weeks which will disappear after 6-12 months. Keep away from strenuous activities, take sunbathe to avoid bleeding.

Rhinoplasty and hazards it involves Every surgery carries some uncertainty and risk and rhinoplasty is the same. There is a risk of infection and of facing a reaction to the anesthetic. After surgery, small burst blood vessels may appear as small red spots on the surface of the skin. These are usually small, but may be permanent. Excessive removal of cartilage can create breathing difficulties and affects the appearance also. On a more optimistic note, some people find that rhinoplasty can actually help to relieve their breathing problems.

How long does it last? Unlike other cosmetic surgery procedures (many of them need to be redone afterwards), you shouldnt need to redo a nose job unless youre displeased with the outcome. Mr. Patel states that in about 10 per cent of rhinoplasty instances theres a poor aesthetic result and five per cent of patients will wish to have the surgery again. The rhinoplasty surgery outcomes will not be immediately apparent. Some residual swelling will persist for six months to a year after the rhinoplasty operation. The ultimate outcomes will not be visible until this swelling has fully subsided.