By Bahar Ozbal • Medical review by Suleyman Tas, MD on October 24, 2020

What is Rhinoplasty ?

Rhinoplasty, is the name given for complete surgical operation to correct anatomical (structural) problems of the nose for aesthetic reasons and/or certain anomalies (innate structural defects). Rhinoplasty definition is also known as nose job. 

Rhinoplasty surgery effectively alters the appearance of the nose, by reshaping the bone, cartilage and soft tissues. Rhinoplasty surgery can resolve functional issues such as birth defects, nasal traumas, and respiratory impediments like deviated septum or sinus obstructions that affect breathing. 

How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?

Cost of rhinoplasty depends on different factors like “surgery method, doctor, who will operate the surgery and facility”.

You can check Rhinoplasty costs to learn more about Rhinoplasty prices and factors that impact the price.

Several factors can affect the cost but in general rhinoplasty starts from $8500 all across the USA and most cities of Europe.

What Happens During Rhinoplasty?

During the surgery intravenous sedation or general anesthesia are administered for your comfort.  The type of anesthesia depends on how complex your surgery is.

Rhinoplasty surgery can take between 1,5 hours to 4 hours depending on operation type and content.  

rhinoplasty

1. Closed Rhinoplasty

Closed Rhinoplasty means that all incisions and procedures are made inside the nostrils without opening the nose. One of the biggest advantages of "Closed Rhinoplasty" surgery is, there are no visible scarring.

Also there will be slight swelling and less complications after the surgery. This technique is the oldest technique dating back to the beginning of the 1900s.

2. Open Rhinoplasty

Open Rhinoplasty is performed when an incision is made across the columella, the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. In this method all structures forming the nose anatomy are visible.

As the procedure is unique your surgeon will reshape the nose according to the need of each patient.

After the incision the rhinoplasty surgery may start with breaking and removing bone and cartilage. If needed cartilage will be added to rebuild the tip.

Once the bone and cartilage have been resculpted, your surgeon will pull the skin back down and stitch it along the open rhinoplasty incision, across the columella.

How Should You Prepare For Rhinoplasty?

"Rhinoplasty before and after" preparation is as much important as the rhinoplasty surgery of its own.

Before scheduling rhinoplasty you will be asked to get a lab test (blood tests) which shows whether your hemoglobin, electrolytes, creatine and INR levels are suitable for surgery. If you have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, you may not be a candidate for rhinoplasty.

The next step after your blood test will be a physical exam which will help your surgeon to examine your facial features and the inside and outside of your nose.

During the physical exam your surgeon will also need to learn your medical history. After your medical history share you will be asked to take certain medications or adjust your current medications.

nose job

Before rhinoplasty surgery your surgeon will also consider whether you have an ethnic root or not as ethnic rhinoplasty requires unique techniques. (Ethnic rhinoplasty definition can be summarized as nose jobs on an African American or patients of African descent, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern/Mediterranean, Asian/Indian, and any other ethnicity without the typical Caucasian white nose.)

Rhinoplasty preparation begins two weeks before surgery. During this period you will be asked to stop smoking, avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.

You'll need to arrange for someone to stay with you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery, to drive you home and childcare or pet care if necessary...

What Happens After Rhinoplasty?

After Rhinoplasty surgery, particularly during the first 24 hours, you can expect to feel your face a little bit puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. These are expectable side effects of the surgery and can be controlled with pain medication.

Mostly, at the end of the surgery a light tape and plastic nasal dressing is placed on the outside of the nose, and plastic splints are placed on the inside of the nose. Both the internal and external nasal dressings are removed in 5-7 days after surgery.

It's important to stay in bed with your head elevated for the first day. Bleeding, swelling, and bruising are common during the first week.

Especially after open rhinoplasty to help rhinoplasty recovery time, it's recommended to clean incisions hidden inside the nose with hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial ointment for several weeks after the surgery.
after rhinoplasty

All the swelling in the nose will greatly improve in the first few weeks after the surgery, but for the final results you have to wait up to one year after surgery.

It's a must to apply sun cream SPF 20~30 to any areas exposed to the sun to protect your nose from sun light. Wearing a hat can also aid in protecting the incision site.

In order not to prevent pressure on your nose, it's important not to use eyeglasses or sunglasses on your nose for at least four weeks after the surgery.

Most patients will be able to turn back to work in a week to ten days. It is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise and contact sports for 6 weeks to protect your nose from any nasal injury.

Who Might Want To Get Rhinoplasty?

If a person who has got nasal hump, small nose, narrow, large or asymmetrical nose, breath problems, he or she might want to get nose job.

Who are the Right Candidates For Rhinoplasty?

1- Rhinoplasty for Aesthetic:

This surgery is the right operation for people who have anatomical problems to the nose shape. These anatomical problems include:

 

  • Nasal Hump that looks like a hump

  • Oversize or extremely small nose structure

  • Hawk nose or Snub nose

  • Narrow, large, or asymmetrical nasal flaring

  • Expanding nasal bone

  • Narrow nasal bone

  • Axial deviation that affects the face axis, having a curved nose.

  • Hawk nose or Snub nose

  • Greek nose (non-curved transition between forehead and nose) Operation is made to form this curve.
     

nose job for men

​​​​​​​2- Rhinoplasty for Health:
 
An individual with defected nose structure and has low life quality due to this defect is an ideal candidate. These health problems include:

 

  • Concha Hypertrophy Total of 6 concha inside the health nose may excessively grow over time. This is a permanent problem and Rhinoplasty is necessary to correct this problem.

  • Bonding in nasal mucous (mucus inside the nose)

  • Nasal valve (breathing system) defects

  • Septum deviation (curved nasal bone)

  • Narrow or contracted nostrils

Is Rhinoplasty Painful?

Rhinoplasty is not a painful surgery. An individual can go back to his/her normal life one week after the aesthetic surgery. Mild pain during this week can be suppressed with pain killers.
 

What is the Ideal Season For Rhinoplasty?

Ideal season for Rhinoplasty is winter and spring. After the operation, the patient must apply sun cream SPF 20~30 to any areas exposed to the sun to protect your nose from sun light. Wearing a hat can also aid in protecting the incision site.

nose job surgery

Using a bandage and tampon, or increased air pressure with higher temperatures may cause problems during summer, but as long as you take good care you can also consider summer months as well for Rhinoplasty.

How Long is Rhinoplasty Recovery Period?

New form of your nose will be clear in 2nd week when the oedema, swelling, and dark circles begin to decrease. The real and new look will start to show after the 3rd month.

After Rhinoplasty you need to rest for the first week. You need to follow all instructions of the doctor and be careful about your nose.

How Long Does a Rhinoplasty Last?

Nose job is a surgical operation so results are permanent.

What are the Stages of Swelling After Rhinoplasty?

In almost all operations, dark circles under eyes, swelling, throat ache and throat dryness are common complaints. Results can be seen by 3 months after the surgery and final results will be seen by 10 months to 12 months.

What are the Pros and Cons of Rhinoplasty?

As with any surgery, rhinoplasty has both pros and cons.

ethnic nose

However, by choosing a good doctor and aiming for realistic expectations, the pros will outweigh the cons.

Pros:

  • It strengthens self-confidence. A more aesthetically pleasing and symmetrical appearance makes people feel better.

  • Helps correct defects such as a deformity or a deviated septum

  • It leads to better breathing, more comfortable sleep and less sinus infections.

Cons:

  • The thought of surgery can cause anxiety.

  • It can be challenging since special care is required after the surgery.

  • There is no guarantee that a nose will be achieved exactly as desired.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Rhinoplasty?

After Rhinoplasty surgeries, there may be health problems regarding aesthetic and life quality.
 

  • Bleeding,

  • Infection,

  • Hole in septum (nasal bone)

  • Nose drooping caused by excessive carving of nose back

  • Dryness in the nose due to excessive reduction of concha or insufficient reduction of concha.

  • Dropping nose tip due to excess cartilage removal.

  • Feeling aesthetically unhappy about the results

What are The Alternatives to Surgical Rhinoplasty?

According to the nose job needed, patients can consider alternative options to rhinoplasty surgery.
Temporary nonsurgical nose jobs are also called as liquid rhinoplasty.

Liquid rhinoplasty is used to temporarily address issues like a dorsal hump (small bump), a drooping nasal tip, and asymmetry. So it has to be performed by a skilled plastic or facial plastic surgeon.

Liquid rhinoplasty or nose filler is usually done with hyaluronic acid based injectable fillers, the same type of filler commonly used in cheek and lip fillers.

Liquid rhinoplasty takes less approximately 20 minutes. Fillers last between 6 to 18 months. The cost of liquid rhinoplasty is much more cheaper than the cost of rhinoplasty surgery. According to the nose job done it costs roughly $1,000.

Written on 01/01/2018

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Last Update: 22/05/2023

Rhinoplasty Before & After Photos


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