Rhinoplasty (aka Nose Job) FAQs
9/29/2022
Rhinoplasty FAQs
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 350,000 patients elected to undergo rhinoplasty in 2020, making it the most performed cosmetic surgery in the United States. If you are considering rhinoplasty, here are several of the most frequently asked questions about the procedure.
What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose for functional or cosmetic reasons. Surgery on the septum, a septoplasty , is another procedure commonly performed together with a rhinoplasty.
Common requests include:
- Remove a hump or bump
- Improve crooked appearance
- Narrow the tip
- Increase or decrease the size of the nose
- Reduce the nasal width
- Change the size of the nostrils
- Adjust the tip projection
What are the benefits of rhinoplasty?
For people who feel self-conscious about their nose, rhinoplasty may help them become more confident about their appearance. For individuals with nasal obstruction due to their nasal anatomy, rhinoplasty may help improve their airway to facilitate easier breathing.
What is the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty?
With a closed rhinoplasty, there is no external incision, and the surgery is performed entirely using incisions within the nostrils. Now with an open rhinoplasty, an additional incision goes across the columella, the bridge of tissue between the two nostrils. This extra incision allows the skin of the nose to be reflected upward to "open" the nose. Each technique has advantages and disadvantages. Your surgeon will be able to counsel you regarding which approach would best suit your needs at your consultation.
How do I know if I'm a good candidate for rhinoplasty?
When you consult with one of our board-certified facial plastic surgeons, he will perform a comprehensive nasal examination, review your medical history, and discuss your expectations to help determine if rhinoplasty is right for you.
In general, most candidates meet the following criteria:
• Facial bone growth is complete (usually age 16 for women and age 18 for men)
• Not an active smoker or heavy drinker
• Has not used Accutane in the preceding six months
• In good health
• Has realistic expectations regarding possible outcomes
Ultimately the best way to find out if you're a good candidate for rhinoplasty is to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons to discuss your goals.
What can I expect during/after rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia at an outpatient surgical facility and typically takes 2-4 hours to complete depending on the complexity of the surgery.
Dr. Kridel and Dr. Delaney do not pack your nose. Instead, splints of soft, non-adhesive material inside your nose hold the newly repositioned tissue in place overnight and are removed the very next day.
Like all FPSA surgical patients, we will see you frequently during the first two weeks after surgery and at regular intervals for up to a year. Swelling will take place, but the majority subsides within a few weeks. Your nose will continue to improve over the ensuing months, and the final result can take up to a year to "settle in."
Can I combine other procedures with rhinoplasty?
It is extremely common for patients to take advantage of being under anesthesia to have other procedures done simultaneously. Not only is it safe to combine rhinoplasty with other procedures, but performing procedures together is more cost-effective and allows our patients to combine their recovery periods. For example, many patients will elect to undergo a septoplasty and/or turbinate reduction at the same time to improve their nasal breathing. Aside from the nose, submental liposuction, chin implant, laser skin resurfacing, and radiofrequency skin tightening are some of the most popular procedures that patients elect to achieve their ideal aesthetic goals.
How do I select a rhinoplasty surgeon?
Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex and challenging surgeries on the face. Therefore, it is critical that patients select a facial plastic surgery specialist who is familiar with the anatomy and has extensive training and experience specific to nasal surgery. If nasal surgery is unsuccessful, the impact can be devastating to patients and expensive to repair.
When selecting a surgeon, you should first look for a board-certified surgeon who performs rhinoplasty regularly. Our surgeons have extensive advanced training in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, so they have a unique knowledge of the function, anatomy, and aesthetics of the nose.
As every surgeon has their own style, you need to review their before and after photos to see if you like the results.
Once you have narrowed your search to a few surgeons, consider scheduling a consultation. At the consultation, see if you ca n develop a rapport with the surgeon and if, together, you can develop a shared rhinoplasty vision that would make you happy.