Do you find yourself taking photos from only certain angles, avoiding a glimpse of your profile in the mirror, or even trying makeup tricks to try to minimize the appearance of your nose? Or maybe you feel just plain self-conscious about your nose? Whatever the case may be, if you find yourself unhappy with the appearance or shape of your nose, rhinoplasty may be a worthwhile procedure for you to consider.
WHAT IS RHINOPLASTY?
Rhinoplasty (also known as a “nose job” or “nose reshaping”) is the cosmetic or plastic surgery of the nose. Reasons to undergo rhinoplasty surgery can vary, but it can help improve facial symmetry, self-esteem, and overall confidence. Many people don’t realize that rhinoplasty is not just a cosmetic procedure, but can also be deemed medically necessary if you do not have full function of your nose without the surgery.
Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, can correct the overall appearance and structure of your nose and is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty was the 3rd most popular cosmetic procedure in 2017, with roughly 218,000 Americans having nose surgery in 2017 alone. By surgically shaping and removing, or in some cases adding, cartilage, bone or tissue to your nose your face can appear more symmetrical, attractive and boost confidence. Some of our patients desire nose surgery because they feel like their nose is crooked, their tip is droopy, they have a bump or hump on their bridge, or they just feel like their nose doesn’t look right on their face. If you feel like no matter how many makeup tricks or the self-acceptance you’ve tried isn’t cutting it, rhinoplasty may be worth it to get the self-confidence you are looking for. Many patients choose to have this procedure to correct cosmetic issues they’ve either always had or are the result of an injury or accident to the face/nose.
CANDIDATES FOR RHINOPLASTY
Your first step in deciding whether you are a candidate for rhinoplasty (nose surgery) is to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. There you will undergo a medical evaluation that will include obtaining your medical history and a physical examination of your nose. If you’re in good health, over the age of 16 (generally the age where your facial bones have stopped growing), are not a smoker (although if you are it doesn’t mean you’re disqualified from having rhinoplasty, however, your surgeon will require you to quit smoking for up to four weeks before and after your surgery) and your surgeon deems you otherwise qualified for the procedure, you can then move forward with discussing desired outcomes and expected results. Before coming in for your free rhinoplasty consultation, you should consider researching or bringing in photos of noses you may want to show Dr. Tehrani so you both can set expectations for the outcome of your procedure. As long as you have realistic expectations and understand that improvement, not perfection, is gained from nose surgery, you may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty.
Whatever the reasons are that have you considering rhinoplasty, we encourage you to do proper research and understand the procedure before deciding on nose surgery. Please contact us to schedule an appointment if you have any questions or concerns. Here at Aristocrat Plastic Surgery & MedAesthetics, we are one of the few plastic surgery practices in NYC that offer you a detailed consultation free of charge.
RHINOPLASTY SURGERY
Rhinoplasty surgery involves our board-certified and experienced surgeon, Dr. Kevin Tehrani, performing a detailed examination of your current nose. From there, Dr. Tehrani will decide which procedure will give you the best results and be the most effective.. There are two types of techniques used in rhinoplasty surgery to achieve the desired results, open and closed rhinoplasty.
Open Rhinoplasty Surgery
An “open” technique involves an incision between the skin between your nostrils (columella). The open technique gives the surgeon a better look at the anatomy of your nose as well as helping them precisely shape and correct your nose. An open rhinoplasty is usually able to give the patient the best outcome as the full visibility of any defects or deformities are easily identified.
Closed Rhinoplasty Surgery
The “closed” technique involves no external incisions and all corrections are made inside the nose. Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia so regardless of the technique Dr. Tehrani recommends, you will not feel pain during the procedure.
Scarring After Nose Surgery
Although some patients may feel they would rather have a closed rhinoplasty surgery to minimize scarring, due to limited visibility using this method, you may not receive the desired results that may be possible using an open technique. Rest assured, Dr. Tehrani will choose the most appropriate technique for your individual case. Don’t let the worry of potential scarring prevent you from getting the best outcome and improvement you’re looking for. It should also be noted that most scarring due to nose surgery is very minimal and usually fades dramatically with time.
RHINOPLASTY RECOVERY
Rhinoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you will be going home the day of your surgery to recover. You will need to have a family member or friend with you to drive you home from your procedure and will need to have someone with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery. Your nose may be filled with packing and depending on your surgery, nasal splints may be used to help keep your nose straight while your bones heal. A nose cast will be applied to the bridge of your nose during your surgery and will remain in place for roughly seven days after your procedure.
If you have had packing placed in your nose during surgery, it is generally removed a few days after your rhinoplasty, allowing you to breathe easier after your procedure. At your follow up appointment, usually 7 days after surgery, Dr. Tehrani will remove your cast, as well as any splints or sutures you may have had put in place. Swelling and bruising are to be expected, but overall recovery from nose surgery isn’t painful and most of our patients describe a feeling similar to the stuffiness associated with a head cold. Dr. Tehrani will advise you to sleep with your head elevated as well as recommending supplements to take before and after your rhinoplasty to minimize swelling and bruising. While at home, we encourage you to use cold compresses to also help alleviate any discomfort. Although most patients don’t feel the need to take pain medication following rhinoplasty, you will be prescribed medication to manage any pain that may be associated with your procedure. We advise you to take at least 7-10 days off from work/school to recover from your rhinoplasty. Even after the first 7-10 days, you will still experience some swelling on your nose, which can take up to six months to fully resolve. However, it may take up to one year for all swelling to dissipate, especially in the tip of your nose.
RHINOPLASTY COST
The average cost of rhinoplasty surgery can vary greatly between cases (based on the complexity of existing nose structure) and practices. At Aristocrat Plastic Surgery & MedAesthetics, Rhinoplasty can range between $11,800 and $12,950 and includes any pre/post op appointments as well the surgeon, anesthesia, and operating room fees. It is important to note, that when deciding if rhinoplasty is for you, cost should not be your primary concern in your decision-making process. It is important that your surgeon has extensive experience in nose surgery, as well as board-certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. We understand that cost can be a determining factor in whether to undergo any surgery and don’t want financial implications to hold you back from having the confidence and look you desire. We are pleased to offer financing options, including Care Credit, to help you pay for your rhinoplasty.
CONCLUSION
Hopefully, we have been able to address any fears or concerns you’ve had regarding your decision to undergo rhinoplasty surgery. When deciding on any surgery, it’s always important to make sure you do extensive research on the procedure as well as the surgeon before proceeding. No matter how much researching you do on your own, nothing can compare to meeting with a plastic surgeon one-on-one to fully discuss any surgical procedure you may be considering. We encourage you to come to our offices and meet with one of New York’s most respected plastic surgeons, Dr. Tehrani. He can answer your questions and help alleviate your concerns before your procedure. Contact our office today and schedule a free consultation to move one step closer to achieving the confidence you deserve.