Rhinoplasty (Nose Job Surgery)

Rhinoplasty is one of the commonest cosmetic plastic surgical procedures. It is a nose-reshaping surgery to correct any deformities or to enhance the aesthetics for cosmetic purposes. Rhinoplasty can be done under local or general anaesthesia. The main complaints by patients who are unhappy with their noses are:

- nose bridge hump

- crooked nose bridge

- bulbous nose tip

- long nose tips

- broad & flat nose bridge

- flared nostrils

- post-traumatic injuries to the nose

- birth defects


Our noses can be seen as made up of 3 main components:

1. Nostrils - the two arches of our nose. Some people have bigger & some have narrower arch. Changing the shape of these can change the way the nose looks.

2. Nasal bone & cartilage - these are a collection of cartilages which form the 'nose bridge'. This is where our spectacles/sunglasses rest on. Some people have flatter & wider cartilages and some have higher & narrower ones.

3. Columella - this is the piece of tissue in between our two nostrils. A shorter columella will make the nose look flat while a longer one will make it look higher.


Which part of the nose to be enhanced depends mainly on what the patient wants. Of course, the patients' expectations will have to be reasonable. Rhinoplasty will enhance the patients' looks but will not achieve perfection. The patients should not expect rhinoplasty to transform them into someone else.


It is vital to consult a properly qualified and board certified Plastic Surgeon for rhinoplasty. Other surgeons who do rhinoplasties are ENT & Maxillofacial surgeons.