Rhinoplasty

The phrase “as plain as the nose on your face” may be common, but the reality is few people want an obvious nose; for people who are unhappy with the appearance of their noses, we offer rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty, also called a “nose job,” is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic surgery procedures.

If you’re considering a nose job, you’re not alone with your unhappiness with your nose. People are dissatisfied with their noses for many reasons, and it’s no wonder. The nose is directly in the middle of the face and arguably the most noticeable facial feature. A nose that is not in balance with the rest of the face can render an otherwise beautiful face unattractive.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Nose Job?

Rhinoplasty at our plastic surgery center can fix many things about your nose that you may not like. The nose itself may be too big or too small. The bridge of the nose may be too wide or too thin, have a hump, or be crooked. The tip of the nose can droop or appear bulbous. The nostrils may be too large or appear to be constantly flared.

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure that reshapes the nose to a natural-looking form that fits with your other facial features. For issues that rhinoplasty can’t solve or to further balance facial features, a nose job at our facility is often combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as chin augmentation or eyelid surgery.

Rhinoplasty Consultation

Before surgery, our rhinoplasty patients engage in a thorough consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. The rhinoplasty procedure is performed at our plastic surgery facility. During the rhinoplasty consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will discuss your medical history and rhinoplasty expectations and evaluate your nose to determine the techniques that will produce the finest outcomes for you. Your plastic surgeon will create a surgery plan that includes pre-surgery instructions, surgical techniques and anesthesia to be used, and post-operative care and expectations. Your cosmetic surgeon may also recommend other cosmetic surgery procedures to help you achieve the look you want, such as facelift. In order to improve skin clarity and fine lines, the surgeon might also suggest a chemical peel and BOTOX® Cosmetic, Radiesse®, Juvederm®, or Sculptra® injections.

Rhinoplasty Procedure

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately one to two hours. To minimize scarring, incisions are placed inside the nose or in the line where the nose meets the cheek. During the procedure, your cosmetic surgeon manipulates the bone and cartilage of your nose to form the desired shape. To help the nose preserve its new shape, a splint is placed on the outside of the nose and nasal packs may be placed inside.

After the Rhinoplasty Procedure

After undergoing the nose job procedure, our patients will need to take some time to recover. You will find that your face will be puffy, your nose will ache, and you may have a headache. You’ll receive medication for the pain and will be told to stay in bed with your head elevated for at least one day. Cold compresses will relieve the swelling and bruising around the eyes. This bruising and swelling will peak after two or three days then gradually begin to subside. Stuffiness is common and usually lasts several weeks. Slight bleeding may last a few days. Any nasal packing used during the rhinoplasty procedure is usually removed after a few days, and all dressings, splints, and stitches are usually removed after a week or so.

You’ll have several follow-up appointments after your nose job at our plastic surgery facility. Healing after rhinoplasty is patient specific, but our cosmetic surgeons will explain to you what you can expect. Healing is usually a slow process and may take up to a year, although the results of your rhinoplasty will be visible after a few weeks.

For the typical nose job patient, swelling lasts for months, but after a week or two is usually noticeable only to the patient and cosmetic surgeon. Most patients are up and about within days after the rhinoplasty procedure and able to return to a sedentary schedule after a week or so. Rhinoplasty patients should avoid activity that increases the blood pressure, such as exercise, bending, or stretching. Touching the nose and wearing glasses should be avoided for a time period designated by the plastic surgeon. Because the nose will be numb, rhinoplasty patients should wear sunscreen, especially when out in the sun, and be careful when washing the face and applying cosmetics.

We encourage you to browse our gallery of rhinoplasty (nose job) before and after photos so you can see what kinds of results we have been able to achieve.

Rhinoplasty Risks

Rhinoplasty complications are usually rare and, when they do occur, are minor. Infection, nosebleed, and a reaction to the anesthesia are the most common occurrences. Small blood vessels may burst and appear as tiny red spots that may be permanent but are usually minor. Numbness may occur but is usually temporary. Very rarely a second rhinoplasty procedure is necessary to correct unforeseen deformities. These cases are quite unpredictable and happen under even the best of circumstances with the best of surgeons. The second corrective rhinoplasty surgery is performed at our facility and is usually very minor.

If you want a natural looking, attractive nose that people will think you were born with, contact Regional Plastic Surgery Center to discuss your rhinoplasty options. Our cosmetic surgeons will evaluate your nose and recommend the appropriate rhinoplasty and other cosmetic surgery techniques. You can have the appearance you’ve always wanted.

Contact Our Practice for a Rhinoplasty Consultation

If you would like to learn more about rhinoplasty (nose job), you should meet with the team of cosmetic surgeons at Regional Plastic Surgery Center. For more information on facial plastic surgery, contact our cosmetic surgery practice today!