Nose Surgery and Its Cost in India

What does nose surgery mean?

Nose surgery entails altering the shape of the cartilage or bone of the nose. This is the most common surgery that people opt for. Generally, people decide to undergo a nose job to either rectify a defect present since birth or caused due to any injury. In addition to the above causes, people also opt to go for this surgery in order to make breathing easier. 

People often tend to ignore that there are certain guidelines pertaining to age that people should follow before going for nose surgery. But note here, nose surgery for improved breathing difficulties can be performed at any age. 

What are the types of nose surgery?

• Rhinoplasty

The nose is the most visible feature of the face. Hence, the slightest change can enhance the overall appearance of the face. Mainly recommended for cosmetic reasons, rhinoplasty is simply the plastic surgery for the nose. 

The surgeon corrects the shape of the nose to balance it with other features of the face. As this is a corrective procedure, it is imperative that an interested individual has a vivid idea of what the surgery entails- procedure, risks, and limits.

Also Read: Nose Before and After a Rhinoplasty

Types of Rhinoplasty 

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery divides rhinoplasty into three categories-

Closed Rhinoplasty

In a closed rhinoplasty, the doctor makes incisions inside the nostril. Doctors recommend this technique to those people who require minor changes to their nose to reshape their nose. Moreover, there is no visible scarring after the surgery. 

Open Rhinoplasty 

People who require extensive nose reshaping should consider ‘Open’ rhinoplasty. As the name suggests, in this type of rhinoplasty the doctor makes an incision between the nostrils that allows him/her to access the nasal structures more easily. 

Tiplasty

In this type of rhinoplasty, the ENT doctor only reshapes the tip of the nose without touching any other nasal structure. This can be done both by open or closed technique of rhinoplasty. 

Procedure of rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis which means a patient doesn’t have to stay overnight. The procedure starts with providing general or local anesthesia. 

During the operation, the surgeon opens up by cutting within the nostrils or base of the nose. Followed by this, the surgeon reshapes the inner bone and cartilage. 

After this, the doctor sutures or stitches to close the incision over the corrected bone or cartilage. Lastly, it is finished by placing a nasal splint to retain the shape of the nose on a temporary basis. 

• Septoplasty

Over 80 percent of people have deviated septum. Otherwise not considered a big concern, a deviated septum can be responsible for nasal obstruction for several people. People with deviated septum suffer from recurring nasal stuffiness or obstruction. In such cases, septoplasty can help. In simple terms, septoplasty is the surgical procedure to correct a deviated septum. 

The septum can get crooked or bent due to abnormal growth or injury. 

Procedure of septoplasty

The whole procedure of septoplasty is performed under the influence of anesthesia. The whole procedure takes 30-90 minutes to complete. First, the operation starts with making an incision on one side of the nose. Followed by this, the surgeon lifts up the mucus membrane and moves the deviated septum into its right position. In addition to this, if there are extra pieces of bone or cartilage, then these are also removed. After straightening the septum, the surgeon repositions the mucus membrane. Lastly, the doctor finishes the operation by packing the nose with cotton to keep them in position. 

Know here- The difference between Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty

What is the cost of nose surgery in India?

Usually, insurance does not cover nasal surgery for cosmetic reasons. However, medical insurance can cover wholly or partially for surgery performed to correct or improve breathing function, structural deformity, or injury. 

Hence, get in touch with the surgeons or insurance providers to know more about cost and coverage before the surgery.

Largely dependent on the type and complexity of the surgery, the cost of nose surgery can range from Rs. 40,000 to Rs 2 Lakhs. The cost of rhinoplasty varies from Rs. 1.6 Lakhs- Rs. 1.8 Lakhs. 

What does the cost of nose surgery depend on?

The cost of surgery depends on mainly two factors-

• Hospital from you are getting treated

The decision of choosing a hospital also affects the total cost of the treatment. To explain it further, premium hospitals tend to is on a higher-end than economy hospitals. The reason being that at the former you have better medical care, an option of person room, etc. 

• City in which you are opting the treatment 

The overall cost of treatment including food, logistics and accommodation will be higher in Tier 1 cities than Tier 2 cities. Furthermore, big hospitals in Tier 1 cities offer more additional services than the ones in Tier 2 cities. Hence, the cost is higher in metropolitan cities. 

What are some side effects?

All surgeries, irrespective of where they are performed, have some complications or side effects associated with it. Some of the side effects likely to follow after a nose surgery are-

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Dizziness 
• Excessive bleeding from the nose
• Scars
• Numbness in the nose
• Difficulty in breathing
• Inflammation in the nose
• Headaches
• Bruising

How long does it take to recover?

Generally, depending on the type of surgery and the physical condition of the patient, the recovery period can vary. The recovery period of nose surgery can last from a few weeks to several months. However, with the advancement in health technologies, the recovery period after nose surgery lasts from 2-5 days. The doctor who treated the patient can shed some light on this question.

What are some guidelines to follow after the nose surgery?

Patients are advised to wear the nasal splint in the first week of the recovery period. After the surgery, it is quite natural to have some swelling and bruising around the eyes. However, there’s nothing to worry about as all these symptoms improve within the third day of the recovery.

Here are some additional guidelines to take care of after any nose surgery.

• In addition to two weeks before the surgery, abstain from taking aspirin and ibuprofen for the next two weeks after the surgery.
• Stay hydrated as much as possible.
• Take as much rest as possible.
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling at the site of the wound.
• Try to avoid activities that put a strain on the body.
• Wear the nasal splint for the initial week of the recovery period. 

Also Read: How to Take Care After Septoplasty?