Overview of Asian Rhinoplasty
Many noses have a unique structure or shape that reveals a person’s ethnic background. As plastic surgery's popularity continues to grow globally, surgeons must devote more attention to patients' ethnic variations, both aesthetically and anatomically, when performing rhinoplasty.
There are several notable differences in anatomy and aesthetic preferences that influence the techniques and outcomes of Asian nose surgery. Anatomically, the Asian nose often has a lower and flatter bridge, a short and wide nasal tip, weak underlying cartilage and thicker skin. Common complaints are that the nose is poorly defined, too flat, too wide or too short. Aesthetically, Asian patients often desire a discreet look that retains their unique Asian beauty.
The Sydney plastic surgeons of Asian Plastic Surgery believe firmly that any rhinoplasty procedure must be tailored to the patient’s specific anatomy and preferences. Many Asian patients choose our surgeons for rhinoplasty due to their knowledge of Asian plastic surgery and cultural sensitivity in their approach to surgery.
Benefits of Asian Rhinoplasty
There are numerous reasons patients consider nose surgery. Common desires of Asian rhinoplasty patients include:
- Augmenting the structure of the nasal dorsum
- Increasing the projection of the nose
- Refining the nasal tip
- Thinning the nasal bridge
- Altering the angle between the nasal tip and upper lip
- Adjusting the shape or width of the nostrils
Additional reasons to consider nose surgery include reducing snoring, improving breathing, correcting damage from an injury or refining the results of a previous rhinoplasty.
All candidates for Asian rhinoplasty in Sydney must be physically healthy and have realistic expectations regarding what can be achieved with surgery. One of our surgeons will evaluate your candidacy for a rhinoplasty procedure during a private consultation.
What to Expect
The first step of an Asian rhinoplasty procedure is a consultation with a plastic surgeon. During this initial meeting, your surgeon will assess your anatomy, medical history and goals to create a personalised surgical plan. Use this time to communicate your questions and concerns and learn about the procedure so you feel completely at ease heading into surgery.
Asian rhinoplasty is an inpatient procedure performed under general anaesthesia. Many different techniques may be utilised, depending on your goals. Before your procedure, your surgeon will gauge which technique suits your needs and explain your options thoroughly.
Recovery experiences can vary significantly from one person to another due to a multitude of factors. These include the specifics of your procedure, your body’s natural healing process, individual health conditions, age, lifestyle, skin quality and adherence to aftercare instructions.
This variability means that while we can provide general guidelines and average recovery timelines, your personal experience may differ. The following information about rhinoplasty recovery is a general overview and should not replace the personalised guidance you will receive during your consultations and postoperative care.
Key Recovery Expectations
Initial Downtime: 1-2 weeks
Full Recovery: 3-6 months for majority of swelling to subside; complete healing may take up to a year, with subtle changes and refinement occurring during this time
What to Expect: swelling, bruising (especially around the eyes), numbness, nasal congestion, discomfort, headache
Activity: light activities can be resumed within a few days; avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting and contact sports for at least 6 weeks.
Medications: Pain relief medications, nausea control medications and antibiotics will be prescribed
Aftercare: avoid blowing your nose (gently wiping is allowed); sneeze with your mouth open; avoid activities where bumping your nose could occur; do not set glasses on your nose for 4-6 weeks
Sleeping: sleep on your back and with your head elevated for the first few weeks
Garments: a nasal splint is usually worn for the first week; ensure that it does not get wet while bathing (many patients find it easier to take baths instead of showers)
Incisions: the splint and any sutures are typically removed around one week post-op
Scars: scarring is typically minimal, as the incisions are small or located inside the nasal cavity
Recovery from Asian rhinoplasty takes several weeks. There is some expected discomfort in the first days, which is managed with prescription pain relief. Bruising and swelling decline noticeably within the first two weeks. Many patients find they are comfortable returning to work and social engagements after these two weeks have passed. Others prefer a longer recovery if their schedule allows.
Full results emerge gradually. Because cartilage is slow to heal and settle into its final shape, you may continue to notice changes in your nose’s appearance for six months to a year after your surgery.
Popular Asian Rhinoplasty Procedures
One of the most common requests from patients of Asian heritage is dorsal augmentation, a type of rhinoplasty that builds up the bridge of the nose for increased structure and projection. This can be accomplished using a variety of methods.
Dorsal Augmentation With Implant
The use of synthetic implants to enhance the nasal bridge is popular in many Asian regions. These implants are made from Gore-Tex or silicone and come in a range of premade shapes and sizes. This technique is popular, but the complications linked with nasal implants can be considerable.
Dorsal Augmentation With Autologous Cartilage Graft
An autologous tissue graft is created with the patient’s rib cartilage, which is carved to match the patient’s anatomical dimensions and aesthetic preferences and laminated (layered) for strength. This technique reduces the risk of rejection or implant-related complications and is the gold standard for plastic surgeons performing dorsal augmentation.
Dorsal Augmentation With Costal Cartilage Allograft
In costal cartilage allograft rhinoplasty, a cadaver rib graft is used instead of a graft from the patient’s own ribs. This option may be appealing to patients who desire the benefits of a cartilage graft but do not want to sacrifice a rib or have an additional scar. Dr Ellis Choy was the first Australian plastic surgeon to perform rhinoplasty with the costal cartilage allograft technique.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Asian rhinoplasty approach does Dr Choy recommend?
At what age can I get rhinoplasty?
How long does rhinoplasty take?
How much does rhinoplasty cost?
How long until rhinoplasty swelling goes down?
Can rhinoplasty change your face?
Making an Informed Decision
Undergoing plastic surgery is a significant decision that should be made only after careful consideration of all aspects involved, including the potential risks and complications.
General Risks and Complications
There are general risks and complications that apply to most plastic surgery procedures. These are discussed in detail on our Risks and Complications page.
Specific Risks and Complications
In addition to those that apply generally to plastic surgery, each individual procedure comes with its own specific risks and complications. For Asian rhinoplasty, these may include:
- Prolonged swelling
- Septal perforation (a hole in the nasal septum)
- Numbness or reduced sensation
- Nasal valve collapse
- Breathing difficulties
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Implant complications
- Cartilage graft warping
Next Steps
Request a consultation at Asian Plastic Surgery for a detailed discussion of these considerations. One of our specialist plastic surgeons will conduct a thorough risk assessment based on your individual factors and outline the measures that can be taken to minimise these risks. Our entire team are here to support your decision-making process, providing all the information you need to make well-informed choices about your care.
Procedure performed by
Dr Ellis Choy
Specialist plastic Surgeon
Dr Ellis Choy is an Australian trained, fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon. He specialises in a wide range of Asian Plastic Surgery procedures involving the face, breast and body works. As an Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, Dr Choy helps his patients achieve life-changing transformation via personal enhancement.
Request More Information About Asian Rhinoplasty Surgery With Dr Ellis Choy
The plastic surgery team at Asian Plastic Surgery use their extensive expertise in Asian cosmetic surgery to perform rhinoplasty that celebrates Asian facial features. Being of Asian heritage themselves, our plastic surgeons have personal knowledge of Asian anatomy and understand the concerns of Asian patients. Patients from all over Australia travel to Sydney for our surgeons’ proficiency in Asian plastic surgery.
For more information about Asian rhinoplasty in Sydney, contact Asian Plastic Surgery today on +02 5104 9703.
