Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is the medical name for reshaping the nose. It is a cosmetic surgery procedure. Rhinoplasty is different than the plastic surgery to improve the nasal airway, which is a functional or reconstructive procedure. Frequently the procedures are done together.

Overview

During your rhinoplasty consultation, we will take a medical history, discuss what you would like to change about your nose, examine the structure and support of your nose, look for nasal airway problems and finally, photograph your nose. From these photographs we will make sketches of your current nasal shape. Using the sketches and your physical exam, we will be able to make a diagnosis as to what is causing the nasal shape to be unsatisfactory. We will then resketch the nasal shape based on your facial proportions and your goals to give you an idea what is possible, given your basic nasal structure. We must be careful to note that the sketches are a goal, not a guarantee.

Rhinoplasty is done as an outpatient under twilight anesthesia, where the patient is breathing on their own but does not feel or remember anything. Operative time for rhinoplasty is approximately two hours, depending on the changes being made. Patients go home the same day with a splint on the outside of their nose to protect the new shape. They may also have an internal splint. These splints are removed approximately five days later. After the plastic surgery, swelling will resolve rapidly and will be 80% gone at 6 weeks. However, the last 20% may take a year to entirely resolve.

The dynamics of nasal plastic surgery are very complicated and we must be realistic about what we can achieve. Nasal skin thickness and bone structure determine what is possible for each nose. Using your sketches, we will show you what we believe is an achievable appearance for your nose. Your nose won't be perfect but it will be safely, predictably, and reliably much improved.