Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) is a surgical procedure which removes bulges in your nose, changes the shape of the tip of your nose, and reshapes the nose by increasing or decreasing its size, reducing the span of nostrils or changing the angle. This can also repair some breathing problems, which sometimes, will allow it to be covered by insurance. Check with your plastic surgeon about your specific case. This plastic surgery procedure takes anywhere from 1 to several hours.

Important Note: Every single patient is different, and has a different scenario. Because of that, it is very important that prior to making a decision, you contact a board certified plastic surgeon, and consult with them about your goals, desires and to see if you are a good candidate for this plastic surgery procedure.

Are you a Good Candidate?

The best candidates for Rhinoplasty are both men and women.

Is this you?

• Are you physically healthy?
• Do you have realistic expectations in reference to plastic surgery?
• Do you have trouble breathing through your nose?
• Do you dislike the shape and look of your nose?
• Are you uncomfortable with the look of your nose?

If you:

• Have unrealistic expectations this may not be for you. You should discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
• Are not physically healthy, you would not be a good candidate for rhinoplasty.
• If the patient is under 18 years old, you should consult with your plastic surgeon in reference to your specific case. Plastic surgeons will want to wait until the minor has completed his or her growth spurt.

Risks

• Reaction to the anesthesia.
• Bleeding from the nose
• Infection
• Scars are not visible in most cases, however, when the incision is from the outside, minor scars may appears, but are typically not visible.
• Burst blood vessels may appear as small red spots on the skins surface.

The Procedure

Nose surgery usually takes 1-2 hours, but some procedures, depending on how complicated, can take up to several hours. Your plastic surgeon will separate the skin of the nose, from it supporting structure of bone a cartilage. After this is done, the plastic surgeon will sculpt the desired shape of your nose. This is very much on a case by case basis, as every patient will have different needs. The skin is then placed over the new structure your plastic surgeon created.

Many plastic surgeons choose to perform rhinoplasty from within the nose, which means that the incision is done inside the nostrils. This means no scarring for the patient. Other plastic surgeons, usually for more complicated procedures, choose to make the incision from the outside. This does leave the patient with a scar, but it is typically not noticeable.

After the completion of surgery, a splint will be placed on your nose to help maintain the shape and also for protection.

After surgery, your recovery

The first full day after surgery are the most difficult. Your face will feel swollen, your nose will ache, and you may have a mild to strong headache. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe you with some medication for this pain. Patients should plan to remain in there bed for the first full day, outside of using the restroom.

Bleeding is very common the first couple of days after surgery. The bruising around your eyes will be the most significant in the first 3-4 days, but can be controlled with cold packs. Lastly, your plastic surgeon will likely ask you to not blow your nose for one week, in order to protect the healing.

You will become active again typically after 2 days, and able to return to work within a week or two.

Did you know? Every Plastic Surgeon on MyPlasticSurgeonUSA
is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery!

Have more questions? Click here to Ask an Expert!

Ready to schedule a consultation? Find you Plastic surgeon here!