Rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty, or nose job, is a surgical procedure that aims to improve the shape of your nose and enhance overall facial harmony. Although typically an elective cosmetic procedure, it is very technically demanding and excellent results require the performing surgeon to possess a highly refined set of surgical skills. Your nose is the central aesthetic feature of your face. It is a significant contributor to your facial beauty. Appropriate selection of a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands your aesthetic goals is of paramount importance. 

A rhinoplasty is an umbrella term that includes many procedures. These include surgical maneuvers that subtract from the overall shape such as shaving down an irregular hump on the dorsum, or bridge, of the nose; decreasing the size of the tip of your nose; decreasing the width of your dorsum; or decreasing the width of the base of your nostrils. Other surgical maneuvers add to, or augment, the overall shape such as building a higher nose bridge; lengthening the bridge; or increasing tip projection, or the highest point of the tip of your nose. A rhinoplasty changes the shape of your nose and this may be achieved through manipulation of underlying cartilage and bone through suturing techniques, resection, and implantation. Implant materials may also include synthetic products such as silicone or Gore-Tex, or autologous materials such as ear cartilage which is harvested during your rhinoplasty procedure.

• You were born with or have acquired (typically through trauma) a nasal deformity such as a crooked nose, dorsal hump, or an irregularly shaped dorsum.
• You have trouble breathing through your nose due to a deviated septum and are dissatisfied with the shape of your nose. A septoplasty corrects a deviated septum but does not result in any perceivable changes to the shape of your nose. Your plastic surgeon can perform a septoplasty at the same time of the rhinoplasty.
• You have invested a considerable amount of thought into getting a rhinoplasty and believe your nose, or certain aspects of it, are too big or too small. Rhinoplasties have been shown to improve patient’s self-esteem and quality of life.

Open

This is the most popular technique as it provides your surgeon with optimal visualization of where they are operating. The only visible scar from this approach is located at your columella. The resulting scar often heals seamlessly and is extremely difficult to see.

Closed

In this technique, all the incisions are made inside your nose.

• Most patients experience minimal to no pain
• You may go home with nasal packing, which will be removed in clinic in 1-2 days
• Patients often report feeling mild discomfort, similar to nasal congestion for the first week
• Some bleeding from your nostrils is normal and resolves within 4-5 days
• Degree of swelling and bruising is dependent on the amount of trauma and surgical skill. Most patients feel comfortable in public 2 weeks after the surgery
• You will go home with tape and a splint over your nose. This is removed 5 days after surgery.
• Sutures are removed in clinic 7 days after your surgery.
• You may return to work (desk job) after 1.5-2 weeks. This is dependent on your comfort level.
• You may gradually resume physical activity 2-4 weeks after surgery.