What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a "nose job," is surgery to alter the shape of the nose. It can be to restore it to a previous appearance before trauma or injury or it can be to change it to a new, more esthetically pleasing appearance. 


What are the risks associated with Rhinoplasty?

The biggest risk is not meeting the patient's expectation, but of course there are the risks of bleeding, infection, scarring, inadequate correction or improvement. 


What does a Rhinoplasty procedure involve?

Rhinoplasty involves an anesthetic-- either under general or local with intravenous sedation. It involves incisions-- either on the inside or occasionally on the outside of the nose. It involves removing cartilage or bone [reduction rhinoplasty] or adding bone, cartilage or synthetic materials [augmentation rhinoplasty] or a combination of both to change the profile and appearance of the nose. 


Are there any age restrictions for undergoing rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty can be done at any age, depending on the indications. Usually cosmetic rhinoplasty is done after the patient stops growing --age 16 for girls, 18 for boys. 


Why does it take a full year to see final rhinoplasty results?

One of the side effects for any surgery is swelling at the operative site. In the nose, a small amount of swelling can persist for up to a year-- obscuring any small, subtle but permanent changes. 


Is it true that the nose is more runny after rhinoplasty?

It depends on what is done. Certainly if the nasal mucosa [inner lining of the nose] has been cut or violated during a rhinoplasty there tends to be more irritation and nasal discharge. 


Does rhinoplasty leave scars?

Yes, but if the scars are inside the nose they are hidden. Sometimes there are small incisions made on the outside of the nose and these are visible... but often are hard to see by the casual observer.