Rhinoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-image. The best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.

Are you a good candidate?

• If you have an abnormal appearance of the nose as a result of birth defects, injury, or disease.
   
• Nose that is cosmetically unattractive or does nor "fit" with other facial features.

Intended Results

• A more attractive nasal shape. The nose to be in better proportion to other facial features.

• The procedure is done on an outpatient basis usually under a general anesthesia.
   
• STANDARD RHINOPLASTY: Incisions are made inside the nostrils. The nasal bones, cartilage, and soft tissues are reshaped to improve external contour.
   
• OPEN RHINOPLASTY: Frequently used for difficult or larger noses. Involves one external incision across the columella (strut between the nostrils). Bones, cartilage, and soft tissues are reshaped under direct vision.
   
• TIP-PLASTY: If only the nasal tip is abnormal, it may be corrected with either a standard or external (open) approach.
   
• Large nostrils may be reduced through tiny incisions at the outer base of the nostrils with either type of rhinoplasty.

Recuperation and Healing

• The patient goes home with an external cast or splint in place. The nose may be packed for 24 to 48 hours. The cast or splint is usually removed in 7 to 10 days.
   
• Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication
   
• Majority of swelling and bruising subsides progressively over 2 to 4 weeks.
   
• External sutures (if any) are removed in 4 to 6 days. Internal sutures dissolve.
   
• Semifinal result is evident in 3 months. Final result is evident in 12 to 14 months which is the time necessary for complete tissue softening.

Other Options

• An additional procedure that may enhance the result is a chin enlargement.
   
• If you need to improve breathing, correction of a deviated septum (Septoplasty) may also be appropriate.

Insurance Guidelines

• This procedure is not covered by insurance if being done for cosmetic reasons. If however, the nasal deformity is due to recent injury, insurance coverage may be available.
   
• Pre Authorization information can be obtained from your insurance company.

Note

• The specific risk and suitability of the procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual. Such possible complications are best reviewed with your plastic surgeon prior to surgery.

Photographs

• No photographs are currently available for this procedure.