Rhinoplasty Surgeon in Vancouver

There are two main methods to perform a rhinoplasty , Open or Closed. Many surgeons prefer the open rhinoplasty approach during nose surgery because they can gain a better view and better access to the inside of the nose. In this approach, the incision using this approach is made under the nose on the skin between the nostrils. Once the incision is made, the skin is moved back to allow access to the internal structures. The incision lines, which heal nicely leaving scars barely visible, are fairly small and usually measure between 2-3 mm. In a closed rhinoplasty, the incision is not visible after surgery because it is made on the inside of the nose. The closed rhinoplasty technique is used on noses that have features that are easily corrected. It is commonly used when the tip of the nose has good shape and is not too long, too wide, over or under projected.

About half of rhinoplasty patients will benefit from a manual nasal fracture during surgery. This planned break allows access to perform certain functions during surgery such as narrowing the width of the nose or correcting an asymmetrical nose. This is a common practice and heals within just a few weeks following surgery.

Nasal packing is the insertion of gauze and/or cotton packs into the nasal chamber after surgery. These are used to control bleeding, but are not necessary 100% of the time. They are generally used if the surgery includes the septum.

Noses that are too large or too wide, or have a specific deformity may only be able to be enhanced through nose surgery. However, the look of some noses may be able to be enhanced using an injectable filler such as collagen, calcium hydroxyapatite, or fat taken from another part of the body. “Injection rhinoplasty” may be an option before resorting to surgery. This is an in-office procedure that can help to soften or camouflage a bump, alter the tip of the nose, and smooth out irregularities.