Nose Surgery

Plastic Surgery for Nasal Reshaping: Rhinoplasty

Frequently Asked Questions:

What will my nose look like after Rhinoplasty surgery?

It is my personal philosophy that producing “natural looking” noses after rhinoplasty leads to the most satisfactory results and happiest patients. The “cute” nose of the 1960’s is no longer in demand and while in most cases we can successfully reduce large noses, I believe that a nose which is proportioned to other facial features makes patients the happiest! Excess cartilage and bone in the nose can be reduced using special plastic surgery techniques, irregularities and bumps can be removed and crookedness can be straightened and smoothed. Adding tissue grafts to enhance certain features of the nose can also be performed, but good judgment and experience is required to achieve predictable results with these plastic surgery techniques. In modern nasal plastic surgery procedures the trend is to move away from over-reduction of tissue that reduces breathing ability towards individualized treatment of each segment of the nose resulting in a balanced and refined look without compromising function.

How long does Rhinoplasty surgery take?

Rhinoplasty takes from one to three hours depending on the pre-surgery condition of the nose. Nearly all rhinoplasty plastic surgery operations are done at outpatient plastic surgery facilities. Less time does not always equal more efficiency or better results. My personal philosophy is to take the required time necessary during Rhinoplasty surgery to achieve the goals set forth by the plastic surgery patient and plastic surgeon.

Is there a lot of bruising after Rhinoplasty, and how long will it last?

Some bruising and swelling is expected after most Rhinoplasty surgery procedures. In general, bruising after nasal reshaping usually occurs under the eyes and is the direct result of fracturing of the nasal bones performed in order to reduce the width of the nose. In my practice, I use a different technique to release the bones, which reduces bruising significantly after this type of plastic surgery. Most plastic surgery patients experience five to seven days of discoloration and swelling around the eyes and upper cheeks. The nose itself will be swollen for around ten to fourteen days or longer, but subtle resolution of the swelling at the nasal tip can take months to go away. Avoidance of aspirin, ibuprofen and other medications which cause platelet dysfunction minimizes the chances of heavy bruising after Rhinoplasty.

I have trouble breathing through my nose. Will my breathing improve after Rhinoplasty?

When the condition described is associated with a deviated or “bent” septum, excessively large turbinates, which are structures used to filter and clean the air we breathe, and weak or collapsed internal nasal framework then correction of these offending structures is likely to improve breathing function. Not all airway obstruction results from large or malpositioned anatomic structures. Some airway obstruction is due to physiologic responses elicited by allergies to pollens and other environmental factors. The two conditions can exist simultaneously. Careful examination is needed before Rhinoplasty surgery to identify the conditions creating nasal obstruction. Some improvement can be achieved in most cases even in those who suffer from seasonal allergies.

I have trouble breathing through my nose. Will my insurance policy pay for Rhinoplasty?

While individual insurance policies vary, in general, functional plastic surgery to improve breathing is considered a covered benefit in many group policies. In this situation, the insurance company is likely to cover the expenses of anesthesia and some of the plastic surgery. However, once the “functional” part of the operation is completed, any other plastic surgery performed on the nose is no longer covered by the policy. If additional correction of a cosmetic deformity of the bridge and tip of the nose is performed at the same time the cost of this part of the plastic surgery procedure needs to be covered by the patient.

Will my nose grow after Rhinoplasty surgery?

The nose tends to elongate as we enter the middle years of our life and drooping of the tip of the nose can occur in later years as elasticity disappears from the body. Rhinoplasty as a teenager or young adult will not prevent the effects of aging on the nose. In other words, after Rhinoplasty, the nose continues to grow at a normal rate. However, the final shape achieved with plastic surgery generally lasts a lifetime and the recurrence of bumps and deformities is a rare occurrence.

How important is the plastic surgeon’s experience in Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is the one plastic surgery procedure in which the surgeon’s knowledge and experience can make the difference between success and failure. Thankfully, my experience in rhinoplasty is quite broad. I first learned nasal reshaping plastic surgery techniques during residency from two highly respected nasal plastic surgeons. Both of these plastic surgeons are members of the prestigious Rhinoplasty Society. After residency, I developed a successful nasal plastic surgery practice in adults and children. My adult plastic surgery practice has been mainly cosmetic in nature, however; I have also become skilled in nasal plastic surgery for reconstruction after cancer. As the LSU Chief of Plastic Surgery at Children’s Hospital I was fortunate to perform a large number of nasal plastic surgery procedures on cleft lip/nasal patients. These are some of the most challenging cases and but also served as a tremendous learning experience using various Rhinoplasty techniques. I continued to have good fortunes in rhinoplasty performing nasal plastic surgery on a broad range of patients in private plastic surgery practice. I have now become quite seasoned in rhinoplasty and use special plastic surgery techniques that are highly successful and predictable in treating rhinoplasty patients from all walks of life.