Rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is a surgery that helps reshape and resize the nose, while also improving the function of the nose. The changes can be cosmetic, functional, or both. The most common reasons for undergoing a rhinoplasty are a bump on the bridge of the nose, a wide or droopy tip, and asymmetries. A rhinoplasty is performed by changing the underlying cartilages and/or bones in order to improve the size and shape of the nose.

In order to undergo rhinoplasty surgery, you should be in relatively good health and be able to tolerate anesthesia. You should also have goals in mind to review with your surgeon, to be sure it is possible to achieve the results you desire. There is no specific age for rhinoplasty surgery, but most patients are 16 and older and are physically and mentally ready for a surgical procedure on the face.

A rhinoplasty can change the size and shape of the bones and cartilages beneath the skin of the nose in order to improve the size, shape, and function of the nose. This can be achieved using an open technique where an incision is made at the columella of the nose and connected to incision on the inside of the nostrils. This allows the surgeon to peel the skin of the nose back to change the structure of the nose. In a closed, or endonasal rhinoplasty, incisions are made only on the inside of the nostrils and the bones/cartilages are shaped through small access sides inside the nose. Both techniques are excellent and can be used, but it’s important to analyze the patient’s anatomy and goals prior to deciding on the type of rhinoplasty necessary.

First, start by finding board certified facial plastic surgeons near you who specialize in rhinoplasty surgery. Next, review their website, social media, google reviews, and other content. Word of mouth referral can also be very helpful. Once you have found 2-3 surgeons whose results and aesthetic match your goals, contact their office to schedule in-person consultations. After you have met with those surgeons, reviewed their work, discussed your goals, and developed a professional relationship with their team, select the surgeon who you feel will be able to deliver the best results for you.

Yes, rhinoplasty can improve both the appearance and breathing function the nose. An experienced rhinoplasty expert should treat both equally and perform surgery with both in mind. A well support, aesthetically pleasing nose should also breathe well. There is no reason to sacrifice one for the other.

Rhinoplasty costs range by surgeon, location, and type of surgery performed and can vary drastically. Primary rhinoplasty (first time surgery) often starts around $10,000 for the surgeons fee and can increase depending on length and complexity of the surgery. Revision rhinoplasty costs are often much higher due to increased complexity. Cost is important, but should not be the only factor when selecting your surgeon.

Financing or payment options vary by practice. Our practice accepts CareCredit, Alphaeon, and PatientFi.

Most primary rhinoplasty surgeries take between 2-3 hours. Revision rhinoplasty surgeries can take as little as 2 hours and as long as 6 hours, depending on the surgeon, complexity of the case, and steps necessary to achieve an aesthetic and functional goal.

Yes, rhinoplasty is a very safe surgery. However, fully evaluating the patient is critical. A thorough history and physical exam is an important part of the consultation process and medical clearance by a provider or anesthesiologist is often required to ensure that the patient is healthy enough to undergo an elective, cosmetic procedure such as a rhinoplasty.

This answer takes way more than 2-3 sentences. Unless you think it’s critical, I think it’s best to skip this question in the FAQs.

Almost all patients come out of rhinoplasty surgery with a case on their nose and some degree of bruising and swelling around the eyes. After 7 days, the cast comes off to reveal the new nose, although still quite swollen. Over the next few weeks to months, swelling slowly subsides to reveal the new, permanent nose. Swelling ranges from patient to patient, but can subside as early as 3 months and as long as 1.5-2 years depending on the type of rhinoplasty and the patients’ anatomy.

Rhinoplasty recovery is often easy for most patients. This consists of a small headache between the brows for a day, with mild tenderness to the tip of the nose, and stuffiness inside the nose where the skin is quite swollen. Pain is often gone in 1-2 days and stuffiness lasts until the cast is removed at day 7. Most patients do not finish the entire prescription of pain medication provided.

Most patients return to work 1-2 weeks after surgery. This depends on the type of work. No strenuous activity should be performed until 2 weeks after surgery.

Most patients see the final results of their surgery once the majority of swelling has subsided. This depends on multiple factors, most importantly the type of surgery (primary vs. revision) and thickness of skin. The thicker the skin, the longer swelling takes to resolve. Most patients see results at the 1 month point and near resolution of swelling at 6 months. However, some patients can hold on to swelling/edema for longer than 1 year.

Once fully healed, rhinoplasty results are permanent. However, external factors still influence the nose daily, such as sun damage, gravity, and traumas. The skin of the nose can change, and the cartilages of the nose can be pulled down slowly and slightly with gravity over time, leading to changes in the nose, not to mention trauma which can severely affect the nose. Some of these changes can be minimized with a properly performed surgery, but cannot be avoided altogether.

Yes, revision rhinoplasty can be performed if the patient is not happy with the outcome. This depends on multiple factors and should be discussed on an individual basis with the surgeon who first performed the surgery.

The overal goal of rhinoplasty surgery is to change the size and shape of the nose in order to achieve balance to the face and improve function of the nose. It is important to review this with your surgeon and to modify photos to see what the new nose would look like on the face. Achieving natural results depends on the patient anatomy, goals, and the surgeon’s ability and aesthetics. This is unique to each person and each surgeon and should be reviewed thoroughly prior to surgery.