Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic nose reshaping procedure, generally used to improve the shape, symmetry, and size of a patient’s nose in relation to the rest of their face. When performed correctly, the result improves the overall appearance of the patient.
What are the Types of Rhinoplasties?
The type of rhinoplasty you need may change depending on the reason for the surgery (medical or cosmetic). The most performed rhinoplasties are:
- Open Approach
- Closed Approach (Endonasal Rhinoplasty)
- Revision Rhinoplasty
- Septoplasty (non-Cosmetic)
- Functional Rhinoplasty
- Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
- Ethnic Rhinoplasty
Is Rhinoplasty Right for You?
The patient must have a fully grown nose before proceeding with reconstructive surgery. If you are a girl over the age of 15 or a boy over the age of 16, you are a potential candidate for a rhinoplasty procedure. Please note that if you are not of legal age in your US state to decide on your own to have a surgical procedure, you will need the consent of your parent or guardian to have the procedure.
When considering rhinoplasty, you’ll also need to have realistic expectations. While this type of surgery is now common and advancing all the time, the desired result may require more than one procedure in some cases.
What Can I Expect Before Rhinoplasty?
Before receiving rhinoplasty surgery, you may be advised by your doctor to do some or all of the following:
- Submit to a complete medical evaluation
- Take certain medications or temporarily come off certain medications
- Stop smoking for a month or more
- Cease taking anti-inflammatory medications that might increase bleeding
What Can I Expect from a Rhinoplasty Procedure?
On the day of surgery, you will be given anesthesia. If reconstruction requires cartilage or tissue grafting, you may have the necessary tissue and cartilage removed from your ear or from deeper inside your nasal cavity. Your surgeon can then proceed with restructuring and reshaping the skin and bone of your nose.
Rhinoplasty surgery can take one or several hours to complete, depending on the amount of restructuring and reshaping necessary.
What Can I Expect During Rhinoplasty Recovery?
Rhinoplasty is usually considered to be a minor procedure and is commonly an outpatient procedure. You should be able to go home the same day. Your nose will be splinted on the inside and bandaged on the outside. Your doctor may suggest some of the following things to ease and speed your recovery:
- Avoid exertion for one or two weeks
- Take prescribed medications
- Rest with your head elevated above your chest for a week or so to reduce swelling and nose-bleeds
- Return in a few weeks to have the splints removed if they are not manufactured to dissolve on their own
You may experience headaches, swelling, bleeding, and drainage for several days after surgery. If you experience extreme distress, contact your doctor, your condition might require an examination and possibly the prescription of additional medication.
How Do I Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon for my Rhinoplasty?
Ensuring you have done your due diligence in choosing the right plastic surgeon can be life-changing. Finding the surgeon that meets your specific needs is essential to your confidence and the surgical results. To assist you in this journey, we created this guide to help you ask the right questions.
After making sure your surgeon is qualified and Board Certified, schedule a consultation and determine what rhinoplasty best suits your needs and what you want to accomplish. Your doctor will perform a thorough examination of your nose and make recommendations. Once you have agreed on the best procedure, you can schedule the surgery.
How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?
Rhinoplasty is not usually covered by medical insurance. It may be in specific instances, especially when it has to do with an injury or a sleeping disorder like sleep apnea.
If you’ve learned that insurance will not cover your rhinoplasty, you’ll want to consult the plastic surgeon you chose to do the procedure. The surgeon and their staff will provide you with an estimate for your rhinoplasty.
There will often be flexible payment options like cash, credit card, and financing options.
Schedule a free consultation with Dr. James Aronovitz today to get your questions answered.