Nasal Surgery/Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, more commonly referred to as a “nose job”, is a surgical procedure that is used to change the external appearance of the nose. A rhinoplasty can also improve breathing for people who have structural blockages inside their nose. Often times, even minor changes to the nose can have a profound effect on a person’s overall appearance, making rhinoplasty one of the most popular elective cosmetic procedures performed in the United States today. Common appearance changes performed as part of a rhinoplasty procedure include an overall change in the size of the nose (increase or decrease), removal of a bump, a change in the shape of the tip or the bridge of the nose, a change in the angle between the nose and upper lip, or a narrowing of the nostrils.

Rhinoplasty procedures reshape the nasal cartilage and bones to achieve desired results with minimal scarring and recovery time. Ideal candidates for this procedure include healthy men and women seeking subtle reshaping and/or improved breathing through the nose. Although younger patients may be interested in this procedure, they should postpone treatment until they have finished growing, which usually occurs around age 16 for girls and 18 for boys. Continued growth following the rhinoplasty may alter the initial results.

Generally, rhinoplasties are performed either with a combination of local anesthesia and sedation or under general anesthesia, and take between 1-2 hours to complete. A “closed rhinoplasty” involves incisions made inside of the nose, which leave no visible scarring. An “open rhinoplasty” involves a small incision made on the underside of the nose, which leaves a well concealed fine-line scar which is barely visible.

During the open rhinoplasty procedure, the skin of the nose is separated from the bone and cartilage for sculpting, and is then re-draped over the newly shaped framework before the incisions are sutured closed. Both open and closed rhinoplasties are equally effective, though open rhinoplasties are preferred for improving breathing or more complicated sculpting of the tip of the nose.

Following surgery, a bandage and splint are applied to the nose for the first week of healing. The splint is removed after a week, and the sutures are generally removed within the first 7-10 days. Patients are generally able to return to work and other daily activities within the first 1-2 weeks, although more strenuous physical activities should be postponed for 2-3 weeks. It is also important to limit sun exposure, especially for the first 2 months following surgery in order to ensure optimal healing. Common side effects during recovery include swelling, bruising, and slight discomfort, which are a normal part of the healing process and can be controlled with pain medication.

Rhinoplasty surgery may also be combined with other procedures to achieve desired results, including non surgical injectables such as Botox Cosmetic or Juvederm® with little to no added recovery time. Schedule an appointment with our offices for a personal consultation to discuss your options and whether you are a candidate for Rhinoplasty or other facial enhancement or rejuvenation procedures.

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