Your nose is one of the most prominent features on your face. It can have a tremendous impact on your facial symmetry and overall facial appearance.
If you have a nose that is large or misshapen, it can impact the way you feel about yourself and interact with others. Rhinoplasty can give you the elegantly contoured shape you’ve always wanted and the self-confidence you deserve.
For more information about rhinoplasty, please schedule a free consultation today by calling 650-934-7020. We help patients from the Silicon Valley and Bay Area, including Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose and San Francisco, California.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Commonly referred to as a “nose job,” Rhinoplasty is a facial plastic surgery procedure designed to reshape the nose, whether for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes. Rhinoplasty procedures vary significantly from patient to patient, and may be used to address:
- Size of the nose
- Width of the nose
- Slope of the nose
- Direction and position of the nose
- Nose hump
- Nasal tip shape and position
- Nasal asymmetry
While it is a popular aesthetic procedure, a nose job can also correct structural problems like a deviated septum, which can cause breathing difficulty, post-nasal drip, snoring and chronic stuffiness.
How a Rhinoplasty can fix breathing
In addition to correcting cosmetic concerns such as crookedness or a bump on the bridge of the nose, rhinoplasty can often fix breathing issues. The most common breathing issues stem from nasal cavities that are too small, a deviated septum, or having a long, narrow nose. During your consultation for rhinoplasty, talk to your doctor about cosmetic and functional concerns. While an experienced surgeon will perform a thorough examination of the nose before discussing how rhinoplasty can be performed, it is helpful to present all important information early on in this discussion.
Is a Rhinoplasty painful?
Rhinoplasty surgery is performed using general anesthesia. While asleep under this form of sedation, the patient does not feel any pain. Contrary to what you may expect, there is a good chance that you will feel very little pain after you wake up from anesthesia. Many patients rate their discomfort 0 to 4 out of 10 on the day of their rhinoplasty procedure. After the procedure, a soft splint may be worn to hold the shape of the nose during the early phase of recovery.
This is different than the packing that used to be common and is much more comfortable. The biggest discomfort that patients tend to have after getting a nose job is that they feel congested. While bruising around the nose and eyes is common after rhinoplasty surgery, this does not bring additional pain. As needed, patients may take over-the-counter pain medication to maintain comfort while they recover from their procedure.
Common Complaints Before Nose Surgery
Some of our patients have grown increasingly dissatisfied with the look of their noses as they grow older, while others have been dealing with the difficulties of an unattractive nose since childhood. Some of the common complaints we hear from our rhinoplasty patients include:
- Bent, crooked or unattractive bridge
- Nose that is too large or wide
- Nose tip that is too large, droopy or bulbous
- Nose tip that is too small
- Nostrils that are too wide or upturned
- Broken nose
Nose surgery can do more than just improve facial aesthetics and structural irregularities, it can significantly improve your self-esteem and confidence is social and professional settings. Many patients who have struggled their entire lives feeling self-conscious and embarrassed by the size or shape of their noses have found the benefits of rhinoplasty to be profoundly rewarding.
Types of Rhinoplasty
There are two main nose surgery techniques: closed and open. Determining which surgical method is best for your procedure depends on what needs to be accomplished with your surgery. Based on your individual needs, our rhinoplasty surgeons may recommend:
- Closed rhinoplasty: An incision is made inside the nose, giving access to the bone and cartilage that will be targeted in the procedure. This is the most commonly performed type of rhinoplasty because it can address a wide range of issues and result in less post-operative swelling.
- Open rhinoplasty: An additional incision is made externally to provide a direct view of the cartilage and bone that will be altered. This approach is most appropriate in cases of congenital deformities or incidents of trauma.
In some instances, surgical nose procedures are named for the specific condition they’re intended to address. For example, septoplasty and turbinectomy are procedures that deal with structural issues that complicate breathing. A turbinectomy is performed to reduce the size of turbinate bones in nasal passages, while a septoplasty is carried out to correct a deviated septum.
Patient Testimonial
"The entire team of physicians and nurses are top notch. Dr. Talley did my surgery and I couldn't be happier. He listens, he's kind and very skills. Heidi is a physician assistant and she is also highly skilled and professional. I recommend these professionals for anyone considering reconstructive or cosmetic surgery."
What Is Recovery like from A Rhinoplasty?
While every patient heals at his or her own pace, you can typically expect to get back to your job about a week after your rhinoplasty, once your splints and sutures are removed. You should avoid strenuous activities for several weeks after your surgery. Although you should notice an immediate improvement following your procedure, it may take a few months to achieve your final results.
How long it can take to see your results
It can take several months to see the final results of your rhinoplasty surgery. It might help to think of your recovery as a two-stage process. First, you have an initial recuperation period and then you experience long-term healing. In the first stage of recuperation, you can expect to notice a significant decrease in post-surgical effects like swelling over a two to four-week period. Most patients can return to work within two weeks and cover any residual bruising with bronzer or concealer. During the second stage of recovery, the final rhinoplasty results continue to improve over time. Around three months after surgery, you'll have a fairly good picture of what your nose will look like.
By that time, the vast majority of swelling has resolved. Still, it isn't until 12 to 14 months after surgery that the definitive shape of the nose is fully appreciable. Most people who see you won't notice the subtle changes that occur during these later months, but you might. Throughout your entire recovery, it is important to treat your body right so it has the full capacity to heal well. Take care to follow all of your post-op instructions, including wearing clothes that don't need to be pulled over your head and using extreme caution when interacting with children and pets.
Can I combine a Rhinoplasty with other procedures?
Yes. Many patients express interest in combining facial plastic surgery procedures. Often, concerns regarding the nose are influenced by the shape and projection of the chin. Ideally, the nose and chin should project to about the same degree. To achieve the best results from a rhinoplasty procedure, the doctor may discuss the value of chin augmentation, cheek augmentation or a mid-face lift, or other procedures that can improve facial contours as a whole.
How Much Is a Nose Job?
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The cost of nose surgery can vary, depending on the type of procedure performed and the extent of work needed. The best way to get a clear idea of what you can expect to pay for your rhinoplasty is to schedule a personal consultation with one of our experienced nose surgeons.
As with all plastic surgery procedures – and especially with nose surgery – you should resist the temptation to shop around for the cheapest price. Rhinoplasty demands the highest level of artistic skill and technical expertise. You can’t hide the results of your nose job under clothes, dark glasses or hats.
Why Choose Us
If you plan to alter the most prominent feature on your face, you need the knowledge, skill and experience of a board-certified plastic surgeon. Every physician at Altos Oaks Plastic Surgery is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a distinction that signifies the completion of rigorous testing and an unwavering commitment to excellence in the field of plastic surgery.
If you live in the Silicon Valley or Bay Area, including Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose and San Francisco, and would like to learn more about your rhinoplasty options, please call Altos Oaks Plastic Surgery today at 650-934-7020 to schedule a free consultation.