Rhinoplasty, colloquially known as a “nose job,” is a facial plastic surgery procedure performed to enhance the appearance or function of the nose. Rhinoplasty is common among both men and women and should produce a natural-looking, yet noticeable improvement to the rest of the face. Even small changes made to the shape of the nose can bring more balance to your facial features. Although rhinoplasty usually focuses on the appearance of the nose, you may consider a septoplasty if you have issues with breathing. A septoplasty corrects obstructions in the nasal passage so you can breathe easier. Conveniently, septoplasty and rhinoplasty can be performed at the same time if you have both cosmetic and functional issues with your nose.
Schedule your rhinoplasty consultation today by contacting Philadelphia plastic surgeon David Bottger, MD. He can speak with you about your concerns and help you attain the ideal nose shape to fit harmoniously with the rest of your features.
What Can the Rhinoplasty Procedure Accomplish?
Rhinoplasty can be an extremely rewarding procedure for the right candidate. The nose is the central feature of the face — if it appears out of proportion with your other features, this lack of balance can detract from your natural beauty. Rhinoplasty can help bring your nose back into balance, allowing people to see your whole face instead of zeroing in on the nose during a first impression. Nose surgery is very versatile and can generally:
- Straighten bumps on the bridge of the nose
- Correct the angle of the nasal tip
- Make the nose larger/smaller
- Adjust the size of the nostrils
- Repair a deviated septum
In certain cases, patients can have trouble breathing. If a deviated (or crooked) septum is blocking airflow, septoplasty combined with rhinoplasty can help you achieve easier breathing along with a more shapely, proportional nose. Dr. Bottger customizes each person’s treatment plan so the procedure can address both their functional and cosmetic concerns.
Is Rhinoplasty Right for Me?
If you are unhappy with the shape of your nose, you may be a candidate for rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty can be very successful for individuals who wish to correct one or more of the following:
- Bulbous, thick or wide nasal tip
- Large dorsal hump
- Long nose
- Drooping tip
- Wide nose
- Large nostrils
Generally, the ideal rhinoplasty candidate is 16 years of age or older, healthy, and a non-smoker. While rhinoplasty surgery can be performed on younger patients, this is usually only done in cases of extreme disfigurement because the nose still grows and develops until it finally stabilizes around 16 years old. If you’re a smoker, you may still be a candidate for rhinoplasty as long as you are able to temporarily abstain for approximately one month before and after surgery.
Rhinoplasty vs. Chin Implant Surgery
In some cases, a patient may believe they need a rhinoplasty when, in fact, a chin implant would better balance the facial features. A “weak” chin can sometimes make the nose appear larger than it actually is, and in these cases, a chin implant alone could have a remarkable effect on the entire face.
Sometimes, a rhinoplasty and chin implant can work in harmony to create a better facial aesthetic. Dr. Bottger will carefully examine your features during your consultation to let you know if you would benefit more from a rhinoplasty, chin implant, or both.
How is the Rhinoplasty Procedure Performed?
Rhinoplasty is most often performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure and takes several hours. In some cases, local anesthesia with IV sedation may be an option; please discuss any questions relating to anesthesia with Dr. Bottger during your consultation. There are two main rhinoplasty techniques: closed and open. The surgical approach that’s best for you will depend on your unique anatomic characteristics. Dr. Bottger will discuss which technique is likely to give you the best results based on your individual anatomy and personal goals.
What’s the Difference Between Closed Rhinoplasty and Open Rhinoplasty?
Depending on the types of enhancements desired and the surgical work necessary to achieve your goals, rhinoplasty may utilize the open or closed technique. Each approach has its own pros and cons, and Dr. Bottger will discuss these options in further detail during your consultation.
- Closed Rhinoplasty: In the closed approach, all incisions are made inside of the nose. From these incisions, excess cartilage and bone are reduced, sculpted, and repositioned in order to improve the nose contours.
- Open Rhinoplasty: During an open rhinoplasty, a small incision is made at the base of the nose (the columella) in addition to internal incisions. This allows for a more complete visualization of the tip and dorsal structure for sculpting and repositioning.
Both types of rhinoplasty can produce little to no scarring once incisions are fully healed, helping ensure an outcome that looks natural. With a closed procedure, there should be no visible external scarring whatsoever.
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Best doctor ever! Had rhinoplasty and septoplasty done and I am very happy with my results!
What Can I Expect From the Rhinoplasty Recovery Period?
After your rhinoplasty surgery, a splint is placed to support the nose and removed after one week. External stitches are also removed after one week. Internal stitches will dissolve on their own. The majority of bruising and swelling typically dissipates within two weeks, although residual swelling can last for up to one year.
It’s common to experience nasal congestion for around one week to 10 days following rhinoplasty surgery. There may also be some pain, but it’s usually not severe and can be well managed with medication. You should be able to see results after your splint is removed, but keep in mind it may take up to a full year for final results to become fully evident.
How Long Do Rhinoplasty Results Last?
The results of rhinoplasty are meant to last a lifetime and patients typically enjoy increased confidence, as well as a higher self-esteem after their procedure. Since the framework of the nose is permanently enhanced during nose surgery, the results should be lasting. Furthermore, the outcome is known to keep improving as swelling decreases in the months following surgery. To protect the integrity of rhinoplasty results, Dr. Bottger advises patients to exercise caution when playing sports or doing activities that may potentially injure the nose. If rhinoplasty was performed to correct breathing issues, the procedure should also facilitate easier breathing indefinitely.
How Much Does Rhinoplasty Surgery Cost?
The rhinoplasty procedure is customized to achieve the aesthetic goals of each patient, so the cost of surgery will vary depending on the details of your treatment plan. The price of rhinoplasty at our practice generally ranges from $5,010 to $11,540 ; however, the ultimate determinants of your cost estimate will be the extent (and nature) of surgical work required and the technique used during surgery.
Our team will be able to provide you with a personalized quote and a complete price breakdown once your needs are assessed in a consultation. We understand the need to bring the cost of cosmetic surgery into budget, which is why our practice works with CareCredit® — one of the leading healthcare lending companies in the country. Once you’re approved, CareCredit® offers a range of payment plans consisting of low monthly installments to help make the price of rhinoplasty more affordable. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any questions you may have about the application process or the cost of rhinoplasty in general.
If you are in the Philadelphia area and are considering a rhinoplasty, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. David Bottger at (610) 227-6114 today to schedule your consultation. We serve patients in Philadelphia, Newtown Square, and other nearby areas of Pennsylvania.