You have thought about it. And maybe now is the right time to do it? How long before the wedding can aesthetic correction of the nose be performed, are there visible scars, and how to understand which shape of the nose will suit you best - we asked Jānis Lapiņas, doctor of the J. Gīļas Plastic Surgery Clinic, about this.

Jānis Lapiņš

Can aesthetic correction of the nose be combined with medically correctable problems?

You can't really solve only aesthetics without solving the functional issue. Of course, there are things that only an otolaryngologist can do, but there are things that should be done automatically when performing an aesthetic correction of the nose, such as the correction of the nasal septum. Most modern rhinoplasty techniques require manipulation of the septum. If it is deformed, crooked, we straighten it. Most often, the partition is also the main raw material. If the nasal septum has already been corrected or a lot of cartilage has been cut out, we don't really have the material to use for aesthetic reconstruction. Then you have to take either ear cartilage or rib cartilage, which is more complicated. Aesthetic surgery cannot be just aesthetic. It should at least be functionally non-impairing.

If the shape of the nose is changed, does the operation take place from the inside and no scars remain?

There are two major approaches. Either open nose method or closed. With the open method, the only thing that will testify to the operation - if you look very, very carefully, will be a small scar, which is practically invisible. With the closed method, we access the nose through the part of the nasal mucosa.

Photo: PINTEREST

If the bride wants to correct her nose, how long before the wedding would it be recommended?

The nose may swell and be red after the operation, but 3-4 months after the operation the patient will look good.

What is the preparation and postoperative time?

There is no special need to prepare. Before consultations, we perform examinations, you must be healthy, without a runny nose. After the operation, the patient mostly spends the first night in the hospital, most of the time he can go home the next day. The first week is the time when the nose is swollen, there may be discharge from the nose, most often you have to wear a plastic langue to protect it. One week after the operation, we take off the plastic protectors and switch to taping. A month after the operation, the appearance is already acceptable.

How do you reach the desired shape of the nose with the patient?

There are various specific programs, similar to breast augmentation, with which we can model the nose. But I like to do it by manually manipulating the image because I know what is surgically possible to achieve, as opposed to a program that has no idea what is realistically doable.

By playing with the image, together with the patient we arrive at the imagined ideal option, which is realistically achievable and which we will try to achieve, so that it is not the case that each of us has imagined something different. When operating, it is important for me to know where my limits are, where I can express myself.

Photo: PINTEREST

I noticed that it is currently popular to make pointed noses abroad. Do potential customers also come to you under the influence of trends?

In our latitudes, girls have a tasteful understanding of what a nose should be. Today, social networks are one of the drivers of opinion formation, often perhaps not the best. Tastes are different. But my patients aren't the kind who come after those very pointed Instagram noses. There are certain limits to which I concede, but they must be with aesthetic taste and understanding. If we and the patient agree on the ideal shape of the nose, we will have a good cooperation.

How did you get into this job?

Already in high school I wanted to study medicine. I entered Stradiņa University and knew that I would be interested in surgery. At some point, at a family event, I received an invitation to see what was happening at the Microsurgery Center, and I started volunteering there. This ignited interest in the industry. Microsurgery and plastic surgery are what I am very interested in. My residency exam took place on Baznīcas Street, in the same room where I am now. After the exam Dr. Jānis Gīlis offered - if I ever think about working in private practice, he would be happy to see me in his team. Well, I've been here for the twelfth year. Working in microsurgery was a fantastic training to develop both motor skills, sensation and stability, as well as how to deal with non-standard situations.

Photo: PINTEREST

What gives the most pleasure in plastic surgery?

Many operations have been done, it is satisfying that I feel free in operations that are at the top of complexity in plastic surgery. There are no operations left on my field that I haven't done yet. Technical and psychological prowess is at its zenith. If in the postoperative period I see that the patient enters the office smiling and happy - that is the coolest feeling.