Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

A nose job, medically named rhinoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure intended to improve the shape and structure of a patient’s nose in order to create a more aesthetically pleasing look. Nose surgery can also be used in order to reconstruct the nose after an accident or improve the breathing of patients with an extremely deviated septum. The operation’s success has prompted the nose job to be one of the most popular procedures performed in the United States. Often times it is coupled with other facial procedures which include chin implants, a brow lift and or a face lift.

How Nose Surgery is Performed

A nose job starts by sedating the patient before surgery. The cosmetic surgeon, in the case of aesthetic rhinoplasty, will either make a closed or open incision to the patient’s nose. The closed rhinoplasty is performed by making incisions to the inside of the nostrils in essence hiding them. An open rhinoplasty requires an additional incision to be made to the soft area of tissue that separates the two nostrils, referred to as the columella. After the incisions are made, the surgeon will slowly and gently pull back the skin off of the nose gaining access to the area underneath. The doctor will then reshape the nasal structure by either augmenting the bone with cartilage from the inside of the nose (in rare cases the doctor will have to use cartilage from the inside of the ear or the ribs) or removing part of it in order to achieve the desired look. The surgeon will then replace the skin over the bridge of the nose and close any open incisions.

Length of Procedure and Required Treatments

The length of a rhinoplasty is relatively short in comparison to other plastic surgery procedures. You should expect nose surgery to take anywhere from 1-2 hours.

Recovering from Nose Surgery

Nose surgery recovery is surprisingly mild considering the operation. You should expect a mild amount of pain the first day after the operation. You will have to wear a splint over the nose for about a week after the procedure. It is then removed along with any sutures. Bruising and swelling may occur for up to 10 days which will cause a feeling of tightness and stuffiness in the nasal area. Although you may not feel 100% comfortable for a couple of weeks, you can expect to return to work after only a couple of days.

Risks of Nose Surgery

Rhinoplasty performed by a skilled plastic surgeon is relatively safe; however you should always keep certain risks in mind even if they are rare. These risks include the possibility of having to have a secondary procedure if you are not happy with the results of the first.

Cost of a Nose Job

The average cost of nose surgery is usually around $4,000 although several factors can influence that cost including location of surgery, individual patient needs, and the surgeon performing the operation.

Is Rhinoplasty Right for You?

By law, you must be at least 13 years of age to have nose surgery performed on you. Ideally you should be in relatively good health and a non smoker.

How to Find Board Certified Rhinoplasty Surgeons Near You

Choosing the right rhinoplasty surgeon can be a daunting task. Surgeons vary greatly in skill, experience and price. It is imperative that you speak with more than 1 surgeon before having a surgery performed on you. Don’t just shop for the best price, although a well priced surgery is a bonus, it is important that you feel comfortable with the surgeon you choose and confident that they will do the job right. Visit our plastic surgeon directory for 5 Star Surgeon Network Approval Rated™ Surgeons near You.