Rhinoplasty in Harley Street, London

Rhinoplasty can be performed at any age; there are no age restrictions. However, the earliest usual age to perform a rhinoplasty is around the age of 16-17, as the shape and bony structures of the face are near completion and the shape of nose will not change much after this age. Sometimes it may be justified to perform the surgery earlier.

There are two techniques in rhinoplasty surgery: 1. The closed rhinoplasty technique: no incision is placed on the skin and the structures of the nose are approached through incisions on the inside of the nostrils. When the corrections of the cartilaginous and bony structures of the nose are completed, the incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures. 2. The open rhinoplasty technique: a small incision is placed across the columella, which is the strip of skin between your nostrils. The skin of the nasal tip is then carefully lifted up and the cartilages and bones of the nose are surgically corrected. At the end of the procedure the skin is closed with fine sutures. The small scar on the skin between the nostrils typically heals very well and is barely noticeable. The method Dr Ali will use depends on your needs and the goals of your surgery, so why not contact Mr Ali at Rhinoplasty Harley Street, London and Manchester today so we can discuss what approach is best for you?

Dr Khalid Ali will take a detailed history. This will include any complaints you may have related to nasal breathing and your wishes regarding the external shape of the nose. You will also be asked about your past medical history, medications, allergies, smoking habits, previous surgery and more. Dr Ali will then perform a clinical examination. This may include inspection of the inside of the nose with an endoscope, which gives a direct visualisation of the inner nasal structures, such as the midline partition of the nose (the nasal septum) and the mucosa on the side of the nasal air passage (the turbinates). This enables us to exclude other abnormalities. Then, Mr Ali will discuss with you in detail which changes to the outside shape of the nose you wish to have, how these changes can be achieved, and which technique he would recommend. Photographs of the nose will be taken prior to surgery, in different planes, and you may discuss your wishes and expectations with the help of these photographs. Mr Ali will also talk to you about the procedure and possible risks involved. The discussion includes the type of anaesthesia you will undergo. General anaesthesia is more frequently performed, but local anaesthesia with sedation may also be utilised.

You can typically get up and walk around the evening of the surgery or the following morning. You will have a splint on your nose. You need to avoid driving for 24 hours after surgery and have someone to drive you back home.

At the end of the procedure Dr Ali will typically place small strips of adhesive tape over your nose and place a cast on these strips. Mr Khalid Ali prefers to use small absorbable nasal packs inside your nose which will dissolve, allowing you to avoid the unpleasant discomfort of nasal pack removal.

If you have undergone an open rhinoplasty technique, your skin sutures will be removed 5-10 days after surgery. The incisions inside of the nose are closed with dissolvable sutures and do not need to be removed.

Most patients need about 1-2 weeks off work after nose surgery. The splints on your nose and suture will be removed in about 1 week after surgery.

You should refrain from exercise prior to removal of your cast and splints. After these have been removed, Dr Khalid Ali will give you specific instructions when you may resume sports and at what intensity.

After surgery, pain is usually mild and well managed with simple pain killers.

Your septum is the cartilage and bone inside your nose that separates your nostrils. If you suffer from breathing difficulties, snoring or nasal blockage due to a crooked or deviated septum, Septoplasty would help address and correct these issues. By straightening the nasal septum, this procedure makes breathing through your nose easier.

If you have a deviated septum, the only way to fix this is through septoplasty surgery. Some people are naturally born with a deviated septum, but it can also result from an injury to your nose. If you have breathing difficulties, snoring, blocked nose, asymmetric nostrils, frequent nosebleeds or facial pain, then a septoplasty would be the correct procedure for you. Contact our clinics at Rhinoplasty Harley Street, London and Manchester today to arrange a consultation with Mr Ali.

The procedure for septoplasty usually takes around 45 minutes. Like rhinoplasty, a septoplasty can also be performed as an open or closed procedure depending on how complex the septal deviation is. The closed septoplasty technique involves creating a small incision in the inner lining of the nostrils, to provide access to the cartilage and bone of the septum. Then, the septum may be repositioned, reshaped, or entirely removed and reconstructed. The open septoplasty technique involves the use of the open rhinoplasty approach to address the septum. Dr Khalid Ali will discuss which approach is best at your consultation.

You will typically be able to go home on the same day as your procedure. After the procedure, Dr Ali will insert a small dissolvable pack in your nose to hold the septum in place. Depending on which technique is used, the sutures will either dissolve away or will have to be removed about a week after the procedure. You will usually only need about 1 week off work after surgery.

You should refrain from exercise for 2 weeks. After this time has elapsed, Dr Khalid Ali will give you specific instructions when you may resume sports and at what intensity.

Septo-rhinoplasty is often performed as one procedure to address both functional and cosmetic issues of your nose. However, if you are only having a septoplasty, you might want to consider using the opportunity to also address anything you would like to change about the appearance of your nose. Dr Khalid Ali performs a septo-rhinoplasty to correct any functional problems and to address any cosmetic concerns you have, in the same procedure.