How Long Does a Rhinoplasty Take?

“It all depends on what needs to be done,” says Dr George Marcells. “Some surgeries are relatively straightforward and can be completed within the hour. Those which are more complicated naturally take longer. Most surgeries last two to three hours, but some can be even longer, despite all the meticulous pre-surgical planning we put into your procedure.”

Perfection takes time

Most surgeons agree that rhinoplasty, which combines science and art, is one of the most difficult procedures to master. If you want your nose to look natural and function better after surgery than it did before, you want your surgeon to do their best. Nobody wants their surgeon to rush through nose surgery.

Dr Marcells fully agrees.“I am a perfectionist,” he says. “People come expecting me to make them look better. I can, theoretically, cut corners to make the operation shorter, but I don’t do so as a practice. I take my time and do the best job possible on every patient’s nose, each and every surgery.

“I think most of my patients appreciate the fact that when I am working on their noses, time becomes a secondary factor. A well-executed procedure with a great outcome is what I am aiming for.

“In essence, my patients are paying me to be a perfectionist. No one wants a half done nose, one that may collapse or cause trouble in either appearance or functionality. When the job is done, a natural looking nose that functions better than before will not just make my patient happy, it also brings immense satisfaction to me.

“It is important to mention that rhinoplasty is one of the most frequently revised procedures in cosmetic surgery. So many things can go wrong. And, especially in the hands of less experienced or untrained practitioners, they often do. Complications can arise. I am not saying masters of rhinoplasty don’t make mistakes, but taking extra care to avoid them will always mean a surgeon makes the fewest mistakes possible.”

Techniques make a difference

There are two primary approaches to nose surgery: open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty.

In closed rhinoplasty, surgical incisions are only made inside the nose, ensuring that scars are out of sight. But the closed technique only allows limited access to the nose surgeon. The physical pressures this technique places on the nose may even result in distorting the nasal cartilages.

Dr Marcells uses open rhinoplasty on his patients. In this method, incisions inside the nostrils and one small incision across the bottom of the noseallow for the skin of the nose to be folded up, opening the underlying structure for the surgeon to work on.

“I prefer open structure nose surgery because it allows room for precision work,” says Dr Marcells. “Open rhinoplasty, which is a specialised technique, allows me the best possible access for performing delicate procedures, something not always possible with closed rhinoplasty.”

Some patients are concerned about visible scarring. According to Dr Marcells, the trans-collumellar incision usually heals well. And the scar is visible only if you raise your head so much that it shows the underside of your nose. It will not be visible in regular face-to-face interactions.

Revision rhinoplasty takes longer

In general, revision rhinoplasty procedures take longer than primary rhinoplasties, because they are far more complex. They are, after all, being done to correct something that went wrong after a primary procedure, or because something did not work as well as either the patient or the surgeon expected. Correcting a mistake can be far more complicated than doing it right the first time. This also means that more time will be needed for the procedure.

Sometimes revision rhinoplasties require getting cartilage from sources other than the nose itself. Dr Marcells usually takes rib cartilage in such instances. Whether from the ribs or from the ear, taking extra cartilage adds time to the rhinoplasty procedure.

Some primary procedures require additional cartilage, so those procedures will be longer than a type of rhinoplasty that does not need extra cartilage.

You can find out more information on rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty on our website. For more information, orto make an appointment with Dr Marcells, please contact us on 1300 555 095. You can also use email or the ‘book consultation’ feature of this website to make an appointment.

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