Rhinoplasty

The results of rhinoplasty are permanent. Once the structure of your nose has fully developed, which typically occurs by about age 16 or 17, its size and shape change only minimally as you age, so nose-reshaping in adulthood provides long-lasting improvement.

If you have rhinoplasty to correct a deviated septum or a closed or depressed nasal valve that makes it challenging to breathe through your nose, insurance may cover all or part of the procedure. Insurance does not cover elective plastic surgery done solely for cosmetic reasons. When rhinoplasty aims both to open the nasal airway and to improve your nose’s appearance, insurance may defray your overall cost to have the procedure done.

You should wait to have rhinoplasty until your bones, and particularly the bones in your face, have stopped growing or are near their final size and form. For females, this is usually by about age 16, and for males by about age 17, but the specific age varies from person to person. One way to judge this is by the curve of your growth chart. If you are within an inch or two of your projected adult height, the bones in your face are unlikely to change significantly, and you may be ready for rhinoplasty. If you might still grow another four to six inches, you should wait.

When performed by a skilled surgeon with training and experience in rhinoplasty, you can expect results that are not only natural-looking, but that also give your face a naturally attractive look. When done well, nose-reshaping surgery will make your nose less noticeable, so people focus on the harmony and balance of all your facial features.

Because rhinoplasty is a tricky procedure, in which millimeters can make the difference between success and disappointment, it’s crucial to select a board-certified plastic surgeon with demonstrated

Most rhinoplasty surgeries are done under general anesthesia, but this can depend on the nature of the surgery being performed.   Moderate sedation and local anesthesia may also be an option.

You may experience swelling, bruising, and may have stents in the nasal airway to facilitate healing.

Know what you would like done, prepare questions, check your surgeon’s board certification, and know where the surgery will take place. You should also have realistic expectations for the surgery.

Surgical instructions will begiven to you prior to surgery.  Please do not eat or drink the morning of surgery.

Keep your head elevated and rest.

Bleeding, infection, asymmetry

Usually, smoking is a contraindication, which means the procedure could be harmful to you if you are a smoker.

Recovery occurs within 4-6 weeks, but the final result will take up to 1 year following surgery.

This depends on the type of work, but 2-3 weeks in general.

4-6 weeks.

All surgery changes the shape and type of nose you have, so a consultation with your surgeon is critical to understand expectations.

No, but it can be more uncomfortable because breathing will be affected for a while.

Functional rhinoplasty concentrates on the breathing issues of the nose and can be beneficial to help with breathing difficulties.

You may need a septoplasty if you are able to breath out one side of the nose or the other better – your surgeon can also look inside and determine if the septum is deformed.

There is no specific age requirement, and it depends really on what you are having the surgeries done for, but we would want patients to be at least over the age of 18 for elective cosmetic rhinoplasties.  Rhinoplasties required for cleft lips and palates can be done sooner.

If septal work is required, yes.

There is usually more scarring and structures not as “clean” as the primary surgery.

Better functional breathing.

Not everyone uses computer imaging.  Like anything in surgery, a computer-generated picture is no guarantee that the result will look the same.

Some functional rhinoplasties for breathing may be covered.

In the hospital or ambulatory surgery center.