Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) in Marylebone, London

There are different surgical approaches depending on your anatomy and aesthetic and medical goals, though all techniques are performed under general anaesthetic. Dr Khoda offers rhinoplasty, septorhinoplasty, alar base reduction, cartilage grafts, tip rhinoplasty, and revision rhinoplasty. In a closed rhinoplasty, incisions are made inside your nostrils, and for an open rhinoplasty, inside your nostrils and across the central column of the nose between your nostrils (columella). The skin of your nose is lifted to give Dr Khoda access to the underlying bone and cartilage, which is moulded to create a new shape and size. Typically, the nose reshaping process involves cartilage grafts, which themselves are usually taken from within the nose. Finally, the skin is stitched over the reshaped nasal structure and a supporting splint is placed on top of the nose to protect it during the early stages of recovery. Nasal packs might be placed in your nostrils to aid with healing but are not always necessary.

The nose job surgery takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. If the rhinoplasty is performed in conjunction with other procedures at the Marylebone-based clinic, the overall surgery time is longer.

Immediately after the rhinoplasty procedure in Marylebone, you will have an internal and external splint in place to protect your nose. If nasal packs are used in your surgery, they will need to stay in place for 24-48 hours. The internal splint will be removed after a week and the external splint after 2 weeks. There won’t be any drains involved, and the stitches are absorbable inside your nostrils. Stitches in the columella will be removed after a week. Bruising will show under your eyes and on your cheeks, and you will feel congested as if you have a head cold.

Most of our patients take 2 weeks off work to recover from rhinoplasty surgery in Marylebone, during and after which time Dr Khoda recommends the following:

• Use Sterimar nasal spray three times a day for 3 weeks from the evening of surgery
• Start taking arnica tablets from the evening of surgery
• Prop your head up on extra pillows at night to help reduce swelling
• Tape your nose at night for 3 months
• Avoid blowing your nose for 4 weeks
• Limit bending and stooping as much as possible
• Avoid heavy lifting for 6 weeks
• Avoid even light exercise for 4 weeks
• Avoid moderate to more intensive exercise for 6 weeks
• Avoid contact sports for 2 months
• Don’t drive until you can safely perform an emergency stop

If you smoke, are taking blood-thinning (anti-coagulation) medication or have significant health problems, Dr Khoda will assess you carefully and might advise you to wait before undergoing rhinoplasty, or even to avoid it altogether. It’s important to be aware that allergic rhinitis and sinusitis might not be improved by a rhinoplasty.

All surgeries can lead to complications, but Dr Khoda works in a safe and consistent manner to minimise any risks. He uses the non-touch technique, avoiding skin contact with any part of the wound or any substance or surface that will come into contact with the wound, such as the inner surface of dressings. The most common complications with surgery are bleeding, haematomas, infection, numbness, alteration in nipple sensation, and the need to return to theatre for further procedures. Surgery also presents a risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Some of the potential complications specific to rhinoplasty are infection, slow healing, poor scarring, bleeding, asymmetry, pain, numbness or sensitivity in the skin, CSF leak (which can lead to meningitis), damage to the skin or cartilage, breathing difficulties, perforation of the septum, loss of nasal structure, and loss of smell.