If you have deformities in your nasal cavity, or other issues involving the nose, your physician may use rhinoplasty to make your nose more functional, or more aesthetically pleasing. Usually, the surgeon will make incisions inside your nasal passages, or use incisions inside and outside the nose, both, to access the nose for the procedure.

Closed rhinoplasty has a few advantages over open procedures. There is less edema after surgery with closed surgeries, and less scarring is usually left. Movements by the surgeon can be more delicate and targeted without drastically altering the structure of the nose. Closed procedures don't usually take as long as open surgeries, and you will look and feel normal more quickly after a closed surgery.

You will meet with your surgeon before the surgery is scheduled, to discuss your concerns and possible solutions. The surgeon will analyze your nasal issues and list all the problems that you have, both cosmetically and functionally. He will review your medical history and give you a physical examination, and then focus on your concerns.

Since rhinoplasty tends to narrow the nasal passages, you may not be a good candidate for this procedure if you already have a narrow airway. As long as this is realized ahead of time, though, it can be accounted for in some procedures. Your physician will educate you about any functional issues you already have, and let you know if the aesthetic reasons for the surgery outweigh the potential problems you might develop. Above all, the nose must remain functional.

Your surgeon's goal from rhinoplasty may not be exactly the same as yours. He should discuss his plans with you, and listen to your concerns. You should understand the goals before you have the surgery done. When the surgery is completed, you will have symmetry on both sides of your face, a straight appearance of the nose, and a nose that "fits" your face.

The nasal tip post-rhinoplasty is usually more attractive, and well-defined. There should not be a bulbous shape, and the base of your nose should be proportionately as wide as the rest of the nose.  

For the rhinoplasty surgery, you may receive deep IV sedation or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will discuss which anesthesia he prefers for your particular case. You will probably also receive a local anesthetic, not enough to distort the tissue where the delicate work is being done.

After surgery, your comfort and swelling should be taken into account, with pain medications prescribed if they are needed. The nose should be stabilized and immobilized. Surgical strips or Steri strips will be applied to pad the cast of the nose, to immobilize bone segments and to reduce swelling and edema.

The surgeon may use these taping methods so that the nose heals better, with less scarring. A nasal cast will cover a good deal of your nose, and it may be left on for five to six days. Afterwards, you  should soon be able to see the positive results of the procedure.