External rhinoplasty or open tip rhinoplasty means the doctor is making cuts on the outside of the nose, in the crease where the nose joins the face so that there is no visible scar after the procedure has been completed. Open-tip rhinoplasty is usually employed when surgery requires more extensive removal or manipulation of the skin and cartilage tissue. Any of these procedures can be performed using a local anesthetic or general anesthesia and usually can be completed anywhere from two to four hours depending also on the complexity of the work being done. Using either internal or external incision methods, skin and cartilage of the nose and below, the surgeon can begin the artistic process of sculpture in the existing fabric to achieve the desired goals of the patient.

Recalling that the art is really just rhinoplasty surgery, the doctor will often refer to the photographs and notes made before the procedure. It will carefully check the symmetry of the shape of the nose and make sure the changes you are making are appropriate to achieve the desired result. Alterations very small incisions as small as a millimeter or two, can do great differences after the swelling has gone down in the overall appearance and balance of the finish. This is the art of the surgeon you have selected. When the surgeon has completed the process of sculpture, will be reviewed carefully the blood vessels in the area to see if they have been affected by the surgery, your nostrils will be measured to see if they conform to their pre-op notes and measures and then begin the process of closing the nose. Small sutures are used to close the incisions made during the proceedings whether internal or external.

These incisions are similar in size and shape to those used by heart surgeons are closing when small veins and arteries after cardiovascular surgery. Finally, a small protective splint is placed around the nose. Your surgeon will have been provided by the splint before surgery and was expected to wake up. After about 24-48 hours on your next visit, the splint will be removed and your new nose ready to “face” to the world. You keep some swelling, a small amount of pain and antibiotics to prevent infection. provides comprehensive information on the preparation and recovery from rhinoplasty, as well as costs, surgeons and procedures, including revision rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty Info is the sister site.