Rhinoplasty

To see Dr Avery, you will need a referral from your GP or another specialist who knows you well. Some people seek a consultation after speaking with family or friends, or following their own research into plastic surgery.

The initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss your personal reasons for considering surgery, your expectations, and any questions or concerns you may have. Dr Avery will take time to understand your health history and circumstances so that the information you receive is specific to you.

When you arrive at Avery, you will be welcomed by our Care Team and asked to complete a medical history form if this has not already been done. You are welcome to bring a supportive family member or friend with you to your consultation, should you wish, to help you collect and retain al of the information you need to make an informed decision about surgery.

As part of the consultation, Dr Avery will carry out an examination of the area of concern and provide information about whether surgery may be suitable for you. This discussion will include what the procedure involves, the possible risks and complications, and any limitations that may apply in your situation. The aim is to provide you with clear information about what surgery may or may not achieve, and whether it is an appropriate option for you.

Your consultation will also include discussion of the estimated costs associated with surgery.

After your appointment, our Care Team is available to answer any further questions, including those relating to fees and practical next steps.

At Avery, our focus is to provide you with accurate and personalised information to support your decision-making process before, during, and after surgery.

Rhinoplasty is performed under a general anaesthetic, with local anaesthetic often used during surgery to assist with post-operative pain management. An incision is usually made across the underside of the nose in the skin bridge between the nostrils, known as the columella. Additional incisions may be made inside the nostrils to allow access to the bone and cartilage of the nose.

Several surgical techniques may be used depending on the existing nasal structure and the purpose of the procedure. In some cases, cartilage from the ear, nasal septum, or rib, or occasionally bone or implant material, may be used for reconstruction or support.

The operation usually takes between 2–3 hours and may be performed in combination with other procedures, depending on the individual’s circumstances. A short hospital stay, often including one night for monitoring, may be recommended.

As with all surgical procedures, rhinoplasty surgery does have risks, despite the highest standards of practice. It is not common practice for any surgeon to outline in detail every possible side effect or rare complication. However, it is important that you are informed of the more common risks and the less common but potentially very significant complications, so you can carefully weigh the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of surgery. It is usually possible to provide a more comprehensive list of potential risks and complications related to surgery, so that any risks particularly relevant to an individual can be identified and discussed further.

The following possible complications are listed to inform and not to alarm you. There may be other complications that are not listed. Smoking, obesity, and other significant medical problems will cause greater risk of complications.

Some general risks and possible complications of surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Heavy bleeding from an operated site. This may require a blood transfusion.
• Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases.
• Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings or antiseptic solutions.
• The formation of a large blood clot (haematoma) beneath an incision site may require further surgery.
• Complications such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism or stroke may be caused by a blood clot, which can be life threatening.
• Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site(s).
• Slow healing.
• Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia and other risks related to anaesthesia.
• Tissue cannot heal without scarring and that how one scars is dependent on individual genetic characteristics. Dr Avery will do his best to minimise scarring but cannot control its ultimate appearance.
• Smoking or using nicotine products during the 3–4-week pre-operative and post-operative periods is prohibited as these could dramatically increase the chances of complications.
• All medications I am currently taking, including prescriptions, over the counter remedies, herbal therapies and supplements, aspirin, and any other recreational drug or alcohol use can affect the safety of my surgery.
• There can be no guarantees about the results of any surgery.

Specific risks for rhinoplasty surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Asymmetry
• Chronic pain
• Change in sense of smell
• Swelling that can persist for 18 months
• Nasal septal perforation
• Nasal airway alterations
• Further surgery required (early or late)
• Unsatisfactory result / disappointment
• Further recovery time if further surgery is required
• Numbness, can be permanent
• Scarring
• DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – clot in legs or PE (pulmonary embolus) – clot in lungs
• Allergic reactions to tape, suture material, topical preparations

The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) has further information about rhinoplasty surgery including the possible risks for this surgery.

An overnight stay in hospital is often recommended following rhinoplasty surgery. As with any operation, patients should arrange for someone to drive them home from hospital and to have an adult available to assist in the first night after surgery.

Return to work and daily activities varies between individuals and depends on the complexity of the procedure and personal healing. Some people may return to light duties after one to two weeks, while others may require longer. A firm supportive splint is commonly placed on the nose at the end of surgery and usually remains in place for up to two weeks. Patients are advised to avoid nose blowing, heavy chewing, swimming, or other activities that could place stress on the nose during the healing process.

Bruising, swelling, and occasional bleeding are expected after rhinoplasty and generally improve over the first two weeks. Residual swelling, particularly around the nasal tip, may take many months to resolve, and the nose may continue to change for up to 12–18 months after surgery. Nasal packs or splints may be used to provide internal support during early healing.

Pain relief is tailored to the individual. A pain management plan is provided before discharge and can be adjusted if required during recovery.

Incisions are most often made inside the nose. In some cases, a small external incision at the base of the nose may be required. Scarring varies depending on the surgical technique, healing response, and individual factors such as skin type.

The financial aspects of your surgery are as important as the medical elements when planning for surgery. At Avery, the surgeries we offer fall into three different financial categories: Self-funded – aesthetic surgery; self-funded – plastic and reconstructive surgery; and health insured – plastic and reconstructive surgery.

To make sense of these three financial categories, we have created a detailed price guide to help you understand what may or may not be covered by your health insurer/Medicare and your out of pocket expenses.

To download this guide, please click here.

For more information or to book a consultation, please contact our team on 02 4002 4150.

People with young children should be aware that the recovery period after rhinoplasty requires protecting the nose from accidental bumps or sudden movements, which can be more likely around small children. This may increase the risk of injury or complications during healing. A consultation is required to discuss your personal circumstances, including home environment and support, to determine whether surgery is appropriate and what precautions may be needed.

A cosmetic rhinoplasty involves modifying the cartilage and/or bone of the nose for appearance-related reasons, or in some cases as part of reconstructive surgery after trauma or developmental differences.

A functional rhinoplasty refers to surgery performed to address breathing problems related to the internal nasal structures. Where breathing is the primary concern, assessment by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon may also be appropriate.

Rhinoplasty involves surgical modification of the bone and/or cartilage of the nose. In some cases, this procedure may also address breathing concerns if they are related to the structure of the nose. Outcomes vary, and breathing function can be influenced by many factors including pre-existing nasal anatomy, healing, and any prior conditions.

If breathing is the main concern, assessment by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist may be appropriate. A consultation with Dr Avery will also include discussion of whether rhinoplasty is suitable in your circumstances, and the possible risks, benefits, and limitations.

Rhinoplasty may involve modification of cartilage at the nasal tip, depending on individual anatomy and the goals of surgery. The extent of possible changes is limited by factors such as nasal structure, skin thickness, and healing. A consultation is required to review your circumstances, discuss surgical options, and outline the potential risks, benefits, and limitations.

Rhinoplasty may involve modification of bone and cartilage at the bridge of the nose, depending on your anatomy and the goals of surgery. The extent of possible change is influenced by factors such as nasal structure, skin thickness, and healing. A consultation is required to determine whether this procedure is appropriate for you and to discuss the potential risks, benefits, and limitations.

You should not blow your nose for 7 to 10 days after rhinoplasty surgery to avoid any potential trauma to the nasal structures.

Bruising and swelling are expected after rhinoplasty. Bruising usually improves within 1–2 weeks, while swelling reduces gradually over several weeks. Residual swelling, particularly at the tip of the nose, can take many months to settle, and changes may continue for 12–18 months after surgery. The duration and extent of swelling vary between individuals, and strategies to support recovery will be discussed during your consultation.

The level of pain experienced after surgery varies between individuals and depends on the extent of the procedure. Local anaesthetic is often used during surgery, and pain is managed afterwards with prescribed medications. Supportive measures such as dressings, surgical garments, limited movement, and the use of cold compresses may also assist in managing discomfort.

Dressings and, in some cases, surgical garments help support the wounds and surrounding tissue as healing progresses. In the early weeks, you will be advised to restrict excessive movement of the surgical area. Your recovery plan, including the timing of return to normal activities, will be discussed with you during follow-up to ensure it is appropriate to your circumstances.

Private health insurance generally does not cover surgery when it is considered cosmetic in nature and does not have an associated Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item number. In some situations, such as surgery to address significant developmental differences, changes following trauma, or to relieve nasal obstruction, a Medicare item number may apply. If an MBS item number is applicable, your private health insurer may provide a level of cover depending on your policy. These details, including eligibility and potential rebates, will be clarified as part of your consultation and with supporting assessments where required.