What is a Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, or a nose job, is one of the most commonly performed procedures by a facial plastic surgeon. With prior training as an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, Dr. Patel has spent thousands of hours learning about every aspect of the nose.
Patients are typically interested in rhinoplasty to change the overall shape of their noses. Whether this is a reduction, rotation, or narrowing of the width, understanding the function of the nose in addition to the architecture is very important.
It is rare to hear someone comment on the beauty of a nose. The nose frames the face and, rather than being a focal point, allows others to notice one’s eyes, cheeks, or smile. A nose should provide harmony and balance and needs to be analyzed in concordance to the rest of the face. The bottom line is no one wants their nose to be noticed. A beautiful nose is a plain and simple one.
What happens during the rhinoplasty consultation?
During your consultation, I will take some basic photos and review them in detail. Then, I will use a simulation software called Mirror to draw a nose that is a reasonable expectation and then work with you to make some tweaks to customize until you love it. I also will look on the inside of your nose to assess your breathing and any other functional aspects. This is a dynamic and interactive conversation with the primary goal of aligning your desires with my expertise to achieve the optimal result.
How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?
The nationwide average price of rhinoplasty is $7500. I wrote a detailed blog post about everything you need to know about the cost of a nose job.
What Are The Benefits Of A Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty has several specific goals. Some facilitate breathing as well as improve facial appearance. During a rhinoplasty, the surgeon may make your appearance more pleasing to you by:
- Removing a hump on your nose
- Modifying the bridge of your nose
- Reshaping the tip of your nose
- Reshaping or resizing your nostrils
- Repairing your nose after an injury
- Increasing or decreasing the size of your nose
How Is A Rhinoplasty Performed?
Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure that is performed under general anesthesia. It usually takes from 2 to 3 hours to complete. Surgeons use one of two techniques when performing nose surgery. In a closed rhinoplasty, incisions are made within the nostrils. In an open rhinoplasty, the incision is made across the columella, the tissue between the nostrils. With both methods, the surgeon gently lifts the soft tissues covering the nose. The surgeon sculpts the bone and cartilage to the desired shape. Any additional cartilage needed to augment the nose can often be taken from the septum. If the patient has a deviated septum, the surgeon will adjust the septum and the inner structures of the nose to improve breathing. Then the tissues are re-draped and stitched closed. If the patient desires nostril reshaping, this is done as the final stage of rhinoplasty.What is a non-surgical rhinoplasty?
A non-surgical nose job, or liquid rhinoplasty, is a procedure in which filler is injected into the nose. Obviously, this does not make the nose smaller, but with accurate placement, one can make the nose appear to change shape. I when you are ok with a temporary change and reduce a hump or want to slightly straighten our or cover small irregularities. This procedure is best performed by someone with knowledge of the nasal anatomy, as an accidental injection into a blood vessel can lead to serious consequences.
Are There Any Restrictions After A Rhinoplasty?
While you will be able to resume normal activities about a week after surgery, you will have to protect your nose while it heals by observing the following directives during the post-operative period:
- Avoid strenuous activities: 6 weeks
- Take baths instead of showers: 5 days
- Avoid blowing your nose: 4 weeks
What is recovery after a rhinoplasty like?
The most common concern is pain. I was the chief author of a landmark study on pain following rhinoplasty and found that, on average, patients utilize 9 pain pills over a period of about 3 days after the surgery. Pain levels vary from patient to patient, but the recovery process is approximately one week.
A splint is placed over the nose for 5 days followed by tape for an additional 5 days. There is some congestion that can be intense at first but resolves after 2 weeks. I do NOT use packing in the nose. Though you may bleed a little bit more because of this, it greatly improves a patient’s comfort level.
Bruising and swelling also cause some discomfort, but I will utilize an array of therapy and techniques that will minimize these effects. Most patients are fully back to normal and ready to show off their nose about 4 weeks after surgery; however, the very last bit of swelling after an open approach rhinoplasty can last up to a year.
What Are The Possible Risks Of a Nose Job?
Complications arising from a rhinoplasty are rare and, when they do occur, usually minor. These may include infection, nosebleeds, or a reaction to the anesthesia. Some few patients may experience recurring nosebleed or numbness in or around the nose. On rare occasions, the nasal septum may be perforated, but this can be repaired. In general, a rhinoplasty is considered a very safe surgical procedure. The most common and dreaded risk is the possibility that you don’t heal perfectly and need a revision surgery.What Is Revision Rhinoplasty?
Revision, or secondary, rhinoplasty corrects deformities caused by a previous operation on the nose. It is a more difficult procedure to perform than primary rhinoplasty because there is less cartilage to work with and there may be scarring or tissue contracture. When performed by a highly skilled plastic surgeon, however, a revision rhinoplasty can improve both the appearance and the function of the nose.Will Insurance Cover Your Nose Job?
There are many situations in which insurance companies will consider rhinoplasty a medically covered benefit. Generally speaking, these situations involve an inability to breathe. Though this can generally be improved by fixing the inside of the nose by addressing the cartilage divider (septum) or shrinking the turbinates, there are instances in which other aspects of the nose need to be addressed. These can be as a result of anatomy or previous trauma.
Typically, insurance companies want to know you have tried conservative measures (such as nasal sprays) and require an internal nasal evaluation. While nose straightening is often covered, reducing a hump, narrowing the base, or refining the tip are typically excluded. It is also possible to have a surgery that is partially billed to your insurance and the remainder is designated as cosmetic and covered by you. Dr. Patel always advises patients who are considering surgery for either medical or cosmetic benefits to carefully review all of their options before making a decision.