Augmented confidence

Often people feel like their nose appears too large for their face or that there’s a bump on the nasal bridge when viewed in profile. Wider nose when viewed from the front and the nose being off-centre or crooked are the most common problems people notice. Sometimes a previous injury can make the nose asymmetrical too. This is when the augmentative procedure comes as a solution.

Cosmetic surgery for lip and nose consists of the enlargement and reshaping of otherwise normal lips to improve their dimensional relation with the patient’s nose, teeth, and surrounding facial structures. It’s purpose is to correct the shape of  the outside of the nose, to remove bumps from the bridge of the nose or to lift a drooping tip. If you have had doubts about whether you’re a candidate for augmentation, there are certain telling signs. Small and deflated lips, asymmetric features, reconstructive needs, drooping or sagging upper lip are some of them.

Preparing for the procedure is very simple. The Doctor may ask you to obtain an X-ray, CT scan or computer imaging of your nose prior to surgery. Some basic blood test will be required. Smoking and usage of nicotine patches must be strictly avoided too. Intake of any blood thinning tablets should be avoided while intake of vitamins at least one week prior to surgery is prescribed.

Various types of alterations can be made to the nose. Changes can be made to the septal bone if it is crooked. This is performed by re-breaking the nasal bone and straightening it, allowing the patient to breathe easier. Some patients have a hump on the bridge of their nose, which can be chiselled down, making it less visible. The nasal cartilage can be altered to allow a thinner bridge and narrower appearance. If the nose is bent, it can be straightened and changes can also be made to lift a drooping tip. Implants or cartilage can also be inserted to build up areas to produce a better looking nasal structure.

For people seeking lip augmentation, there are mainly two alternatives. The first is HA fillers. During this procedure, the compound is injected using a fine needle at several points along the edge of the treatment site. If a local anesthesia has not been used, you may feel minor stinging or burning as the injections are administered.

The second one is Autologous Fat Augmentation. After both the donor and recipient sites are cleansed and treated with a local anaesthesia, the fat is withdrawn using a syringe with a large-bore needle or a cannula (the same instrument used in liposuction) attached to a suction device. The fat is then prepared and injected into the recipient site with a needle.

The writer is a cosmetic surgeon.

(Disclaimer: Always check with an expert before going ahead with such treatment.)