Rhinoplasty, commonly known as nose surgery, removes, re-arranges, or re-shapes the bone or cartilage of the nose to correct deformities. As one of the main focal points of the face, the nose has a big impact on how people see themselves. Last year, half a million people opted to have rhinoplasty to change their nose.
During your consultation to see if you’re a good candidate for rhinoplasty, we will conduct a thorough physical exam and discuss your thoughts about your desired change in your appearance. Next, when your concerns have been addressed and determined that rhinoplasty is right for you, we use digital photos and computer imaging to allow you to see what those changes will look like.
We usually advise general anesthesia during rhinoplasty so that the patient is comfortable throughout the procedure. If the goal is to reduce the nose size or shape, or to straighten it, the skin covering the underlying bone and cartilage will be separated, allowing the cartilage and bone to be reshaped. Once this has been done, the skin is then re-draped over the surface. Flared nostrils can be narrowed by creating an incision at the junction between the nose and the skin of the upper lip.
After surgery, a lightweight splint is used to maintain the shape of the nose. This splint is removed within a week following surgery. During surgery, nasal splints may be inserted by the surgeon to protect the septum, and maintain it in a straight position as it heals.. These splints are also removed within a week. Stuffiness is expected after surgery, especially when changes have been made to the septum. Recovery usually takes one to two weeks. After this time, most patients are able to return to their regular activities. There is minimal pain during recovery and this can be controlled with the use of medications. Bruising may be present around the eyes, but starts to fade after a few days. Discoloration disappears within two weeks.
In most cases, the patient has to pay for the procedure. However, if rhinoplasty is done because of nasal obstruction or trauma, the insurance company may pay for the procedure. Check with your insurance company to determine if coverage is available. Patients who undergo a cosmetic/elective surgical procedure are expected to pay the full amount 14 days before the scheduled date of surgery.