Nasal Refinement (rhinoplasty)

Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a “nose job” is the second most common type of cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Nasal refinement procedures can be performed for a variety of reasons – but in most cases, whatever the reason, the patient may experience a boost in self-esteem due to an improved appearance.

Most people think of a nose job as a purely surgical procedure but in some cases non-surgical means may be used to correct certain issues and straighten the appearance of the nose. In other cases, such as septal deviation (uneven nostrils), nasal reduction (a nose that is too large) or nasal reshaping (a nose that is unpleasing in shape) surgical procedures may be required.

Surgical Options

Any type of surgical rhinoplasty will involve some swelling, pain and bruising and the patient will generally want to take some time off of work or normal activity to allow tissues to heal. Total recovery time will depend upon how much tissue is removed or altered and whether cartilage or bone is involved as procedures affecting the bone are more invasive and take longer to heal. Common surgical nasal refinement procedures may include one or more of the following:

• Tip Rhinoplasty – for those that are unhappy with the shape of the tip of the nose. Some patients feel that their nose is too pointy, while others feel that their nose is too button-like. In either case, if the rest of the nose is well shaped, a procedure can be performed to correct only the tip of the nose and reshape it into a more pleasant appearance. In most cases, the patient’s own cartilage is removed or reshaped but in some cases a cartilage graft may be needed.
• Bridge Rhinoplasty – for those who are unhappy with the width or shape of the nose at the bony portion. In most cases, the bridge is too wide and may be reduced. In other cases, it may be done to improve breathing as the bridge is too narrow – meaning that the airways can be enlarged to allow for greater airflow. This type of surgery may involve both cartilage and bone and may be more extensive.
• Hump Rhinoplasty – involves surgical procedures to correct the dorsum or “hump” of the nose. In most cases, reduction of the hump is desired but the procedure may also involve reshaping or changing the overall appearance of the nose. Bone and cartilage may both be involved in this type of procedure.
• Nostril Reshaping – if the nostrils are too large or if the patient has a deviated septum resulting in uneven nostrils, nostril reshaping can be done to correct the appearance or imbalance. This type of procedure most often involves repositioning or removal of cartilage and does not affect the bone

Non-Surgical

Some patients do not necessarily need an invasive rhinoplasty procedure. In these patients, dermal fillers can be used to fill in dents and depressions on and around the nose to smooth out sharp angles, alter the angle of the tip, camouflage bumps and deviations and create a taller nasal bridge. Recovery from this type of nasal procedure is minimal and may involve minor swelling and irritation at the site of injection. This type of procedure may require multiple treatments and is only considered semi-permanent but may improve the appearance at a much lower cost with less recovery time.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, a consultation with Leif Rogers, MD and his staff will help you determine your needs and choose the right option for the best outcome for you.