Rhinoplasty is done for many reasons, but usually it is done to either correct a medical issue (such as for a septum issue) or it is done as an elective surgery. Whatever the reason, it is hard to find good, quality surgical care, especially for patients that choose this as an elective surgery or for those without insurance. The average cost of this procedure in the US is around $6,000 and if you can find a surgeon to do it for that price or less, it is hard to find one that is well trained, board certified surgeon and who will deliver the best results for your expectations.

Procedure Details

In closed rhinoplasty, only internal incisions are made. Open rhinoplasty integrates external incisions, too. As with all cosmetic surgeries, incisions will be placed in inconspicuous locations. Most incisions will be inside the nose.

Rhinoplasty can correct medical problems in the nasal region, or it can alter the appearance of the nose with procedures such as hump removal, tip narrowing, shortening of the nose, nasal spine alterations, and nasion alterations.

Reduction, which is making the nose smaller, or augmentation, which is making the nose larger, is possible. Your surgeon will review photos with you to determine the look you want, then he will create a surgical plan to achieve your goals.

Prior to surgery, your surgeon will mark incision lines on your nose with a purple pen. After anesthesia is administered and pre-op procedures performed, your nose will be reshaped through small incisions. If augmentation is performed, cartilage or bone will be taken from another part of your body and grafted into your nose. Removal of bone, cartilage, and skin may be involved in both augmentation and reduction.

After the nose structure is contoured and shaped, the surgeon will close incisions with sutures and pack the nostrils with soft material to maintain the shape of the nose during healing.

An external splint will be applied to protect the nose for the first few weeks.

Risks and Side Effects

An outpatient procedure, rhinoplasty allows patients to leave the surgical center or hospital the day of surgery. Patients will experience external swelling and bruising for about 7 days, and internal swelling may last a few months. Most rhinoplasty patients can return to work the day after surgery.

Some risks and complications associated with rhinoplasty include: nose bleeds, numbness, scarring, nerve damage, over- or under-correction, asymmetry, obstruction, injury to function, perforated septum, voice change, chest infection, nose infection, or small blood vessels bursting.

Post Operative Care

The nasal packing and splint can be removed a week after surgery during a post-op visit with your surgeon. Bleeding from the nose is normal. The gauze dressing will collect blood and should be changed only when saturated, which may be every hour for the first 24 hours after surgery. Do not take anti-inflammatory medicines for 3 weeks after surgery because they may interfere with healing. Your surgeon will prescribe antibiotics and pain meds if necessary.

Elevate your head for 24 hours after surgery, and do not blow or bump the nose for at least 7 days. Swelling and bruising may extend to the eyes and across the face. This will subside in about 7 days.

Several subsequent office visits are necessary to assess healing, remove crusts, and insure a speedy recovery. Light, blood-tinged drainage from the nose may appear for several days. If bleeding becomes excessive, apply ice, with your head elevated, while holding the nose. Should the bleeding continue, notify your doctor.