MED0001204761 This website contains imagery suitable for audiences 18+. All surgery contains risks read more here
MED0001204761 This website contains imagery suitable for audiences 18+. All surgery contains risks read more here
NOSE PROCEDURES
Rhinoplasty addresses two things; Cosmesis (the look of your nose) as well as Function (how well you breathe).
ON THIS PAGE
Asian rhinoplasty refers to nose surgery planned around the features that are common in patients of East Asian, South East Asian and related backgrounds. The concerns raised most often in this group are different from those in Caucasian rhinoplasty. Rather than reducing the nose, the aim is frequently to add height to the bridge and definition to the tip, while keeping the result balanced and true to your face. The goal is never to westernise the nose, but to refine it in a way that respects your features.
Dr Ricketts assesses your nose and your whole face together and plans the operation around your anatomy, your skin and what you would like to change. She is honest about what is realistically achievable, particularly where the skin is thick, and she takes time to understand the result that is possible.
Asian noses often have thicker, more fibrofatty skin, softer or less projected cartilage, a lower or wider bridge, an under-projected or rounded tip, and a wider nostril base. Because thicker skin does not show fine detail as readily, the framework often needs to be built up and supported to create definition that shows through the skin. Common goals include:
Dr Ricketts performs predominantly open structural rhinoplasty, which gives the visibility and access needed to build and support the framework accurately. Where height and projection are needed, she prefers to use your own cartilage, taken from the septum, ear or rib, rather than a synthetic implant. Using your own tissue avoids some of the longer term risks associated with synthetic nasal implants, such as movement, exposure or infection, and it integrates with your own nose. Sometimes Dr Ricketts will suggest using donor cartilage as an alternative to your own. She will discuss the options, and the reasons for her recommendation, with you in detail.
Rhinoplasty may suit you if you would like to refine or add definition to your nose, if you have difficulty breathing, or both, and if you are in reasonable general health. Thicker skin can take longer to settle and can limit how much fine detail is achievable, so realistic expectations and patience with the recovery are important. Dr Ricketts will be honest with you about what is achievable for your nose and your skin.
At your consultation, Dr Ricketts examines the outside and the inside of your nose, including how you breathe, and she assesses the bone, cartilage, skin thickness and the balance of your whole face. She will discuss what is concerning you and what is realistic, including where cartilage would be taken from, and she explains the approach, the recovery and the risks. She gives you written information and encourages you to take your time, ask questions and consider a second opinion.
Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic, usually as a day case or an overnight stay. On the day Dr Ricketts confirms the plan with you, and our team supports you through your admission, the operation and your recovery. A splint is applied to the outside of the nose, and you will go home with clear instructions and a support person.
Rhinoplasty carries the general risks of surgery and anaesthesia as well as risks specific to the nose. General risks include:
Risks more specific to rhinoplasty include difficulty breathing through the nose, ongoing or new blockage, asymmetry, irregularity of the framework, collapse or change in shape as the nose heals, altered sensation, and the chance that revision surgery is needed. Where cartilage is taken from the ear or rib, there are also some additional risks related to those surgical sites, and a scar. Because thicker skin settles slowly and unpredictably, the final shape can differ from the early result, and no result can be guaranteed. Dr Ricketts will discuss the risks relevant to your nose and your chosen approach.
A splint is usually worn on the outside of the nose for around a week, and there are usually soft internal splints for support. In the first one to two weeks expect bruising and swelling around the eyes, which fades over this period. Your nose will be congested while the lining heals, and sleeping with your head elevated in the first week helps to minimise early swelling. If cartilage was taken from the ear or rib, that area will be tender for a time.
Many people return to desk work after about two weeks. Strenuous exercise and activities that risk a knock to the nose are restricted for four to six weeks. Thicker skin tends to take longer to settle than thin skin, so the tip and the fine definition can continue to refine for well over a year. Dr Ricketts will see you for reviews. Healing varies between individuals, and the outcomes one person experiences do not necessarily reflect what another will experience.
Dr Sophie Ricketts is a specialist plastic surgeon based in Richmond, Melbourne, with a focused practice in facial surgery, including Rhinoplasty procedures. She is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the peak professional bodies for plastic surgery in Australia. You can also find her on RealSelf. Each of these listings is maintained by independent organisations and provides patients with a straightforward way to check the qualifications, training, and scope of practice of the listed providers before booking a consultation.
No, not necessarily. The aim is to refine your nose in a way that suits your face and respects your features, not to apply a single standard or westernise it. Dr Ricketts discusses your goals in detail so the result reflects what you want while keeping your face in balance.
Rhinoplasty can be performed for cosmetic reasons, for functional reasons such as difficulty breathing, after trauma, or as part of cleft care, and sometimes for a combination of these. Whether your situation is regarded as medical or cosmetic is assessed individually, and any related questions are best discussed at your consultation.
Where height and projection are needed, Dr Ricketts prefers to use your own cartilage, taken from the septum, ear or rib, rather than a synthetic implant. Your own tissue integrates with your nose and avoids some of the longer term risks associated with synthetic nasal implants. There may be the option to use donor cartilage which is an off-the-shelf segment of rib cartilage that can be an alternative to using your own. The advantage of this is avoiding an additional surgical site for you on the chest. Dr Ricketts will explain her recommendation for you.
Thicker, more fibrofatty skin does not show fine detail as readily, so the framework often needs to be built up and supported to create definition that shows through. Thicker skin also settles more slowly, so patience with the recovery is important as well as realistic expectations around how much definition is possible.
A wide nostril base can be reduced with an alar base reduction, which places small scars in the natural creases at the base of the nose. Dr Ricketts will assess whether this would help your result and show you what to expect.
Most people feel comfortable in public after about two weeks, once the splint is removed and the bruising settles. Because thicker skin settles slowly, the tip and fine definition can continue to refine for well over a year.