On this page, we will go over the procedure known as rhinoplasty. Because education is crucial to the best results, here we will teach you about various aspects, including:
- Why rhinoplasty?
- Non surgical rhinoplasty
- The surgical procedure
- Benefits of a nose job
- The recovery process
Dr. Repta is a Scottsdale rhinoplasty specialist, a board-certified plastic surgeon who dedicates himself to achieving beautiful and individual results. He has personally delivered hundreds of nose jobs to happy patients.
Rhinoplasty Before & Afters
Why rhinoplasty?
Our nose is in the center of our face. Because of this, the nose plays a crucial component of the balanced appearance of our face. A nose that is too big, too small, or shaped in a way that does not match our face can unbalance our facial appearance. It can leave us with a look that may not match how we feel inside.
Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, can address both functional and aesthetics issues of the nose. Are you having trouble breathing through your nose? Rhinoplasty can address this. Do you dislike one or more aspects of your nose? Rhinoplasty can address that as well.
Our nose functions to help us smell and breathe. Several issues with the nose can be present that may inhibit our ability to breathe properly, including:
- Deviated septum (septoplasty)
- Internal nasal valve collapse (spreader grafts)
- External nasal valve collapse (alar rim grafts)
- Large turbinates (turbinectomy)
Rhinoplasty, also known as a “nose job” or nose shaping, is a cosmetic procedure used to correct and reconstruct the form and shape of the nose, restore and improve breathing, and aesthetically enhance the nose appearance with respect to facial balance.
Since the nose is commonly the most prominent feature of the face, it can either add to or detract from one’s inherent beauty and facial balance. Often, patients who have been considering a nose job can tend to procrastinate, as it can be an intimidating or fearful process for some. With Scottsdale rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Repta’s top-notch surgical skill and extensive experience, there is every reason to feel confident and excited about the opportunity to improve the appearance and function of your nose.
Having trained under some of the world’s finest plastic surgeons and having many years of experience delivering some of the best rhinoplasty Scottsdale has to offer, Dr. Repta may be your surgeon of choice.
Am I a rhinoplasty candidate?
Rhinoplasty is the ideal procedure for those who are unhappy with their nose shape and structure, those suffering from functional problems, like a deviated septum, and those who have sustained nasal injuries and trauma. You’re a suitable candidate for a rhinoplasty if you:
- Are in good physical health, with no serious medical conditions that may affect the surgery.
- Don’t smoke, or you’re willing to stop smoking for an extended period before and after the surgery.
- Have realistic cosmetic goals and expectations from the procedure.
- Your nose has reached full maturity, usually after the age of 15.
What is the Cost of Rhinoplasty?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average cost of a rhinoplasty in the U.S. is $5,409. This average reflects only the cost of the procedure and excludes operating room facilities, anesthesia, medical tests, post-surgery garments, prescriptions for medications, and other related expenses.
Further, every rhinoplasty is tailored to a patient’s specific cosmetic goals, facial structure, lifestyle, and needs. Thus the actual cost of a rhinoplasty procedure differs greatly from one individual to the next. You’ll receive an accurate quotation from our office after your initial consultation. You can also discuss possible financing plans to help you pay for the procedure.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated surgical procedures, and it should only be performed by the most skilled and experienced plastic surgeons. Patients who choose inexperienced plastic surgeons, or surgeons without adequate specialization in rhinoplasty, often end up needing a corrective nose surgery.
Reasons for Rhinoplasty
Cosmetic Upgrades: Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures because the nose makes a significant contribution to your facial appearance, harmony, and balance. A crooked or disproportional nose can significantly affect your appearance, leading to self-consciousness and social anxiety. You may opt for a rhinoplasty to change your nose size, alter the angle, straighten the bridge, reshape the tip, narrow the nostrils, or perform other cosmetic alterations.
Functional Improvements: In some cases, rhinoplasty may be necessary to correct some structural defects leading to functional problems, like difficulty breathing, sleep apnea, speech problems, etc. A deviated septum is a condition wherein the central cartilage of the nose (the septum) isn’t centered, leading to breathing problems. Over time, a deviated septum may cause sinus infections, sinusitis, or sleep problems. Rhinoplasty is necessary to address these functional issues.
Medical Reasons: Rhinoplasty may also be necessary if you’ve sustained nasal injuries or trauma. A rhinoplasty can repair or reconstruct significant nasal damages, such as a broken nose or restricted airway. In these cases, the plastic surgeon will identify the root cause of your nasal problems and curate a treatment plan that restores optimal nose functionality.
Procedure
During the procedure in his Scottsdale rhinoplasty facility, Dr. Repta will make tiny incisions to access the bones and cartilage supporting the nose. The incisions can be made inside the nostrils, often referred to as “closed rhinoplasty”, or outside on the columella, the small column of skin that separates the two nostrils, otherwise known as “open rhinoplasty.”
Incisions
Of the two techniques, open rhinoplasty tends to be more advantageous as it allows greater visibility and access in making the desired changes. However, both procedures are valid and have their respective advantages on a patient-to-patient basis.
Bone cartilage removal or tissue additions
Next in your procedure, nose surgeon specialist Dr. Repta will either remove bone and cartilage or add additional tissue, depending on the desired result.
Skin re-draping: your new shape
Once Dr. Repta has reshaped the bone and cartilage, the skin and tissue are re-draped over the nasal framework, giving the nose its new appearance. A splint is placed on the nose to protect it and help with swelling during the healing process.
Benefits of Rhinoplasty
There are many benefits to rhinoplasty or nose shaping, and if done right, it can result in not only a pleasing, aesthetic facial appearance but can also lead to restored self-esteem, renewed confidence, and improved breathing. Some of the issues that a nose job can correct are:
- Too wide of a nose
- Too long of a nose
- Too short of a nose
- A twisted or crooked nose
- A nasal profile with a dorsal hump or depressions on the bridge
- A nasal tip that is enlarged or bulbous, drooping, upturned or hooked
- Nostrils that are too large, wide, or upturned
- Nasal asymmetry
- Correct a birth defect or injury
- Breathing issues
Recovery & Healing
During the recovery process for rhinoplasty, patients will experience some swelling and bruising as a result of the surgery. Typically there is bruising and swelling around the eyes as well as the nose.
It is advised that patients keep their heads elevated and relatively still for the first few days after surgery to help with the healing process. A cold compress can be used to help reduce the swelling. Dr. Repta will prescribe pain medication to help with any discomfort following the surgery.
Typically the recovery time for rhinoplasty is about 1-2 weeks and while the initial bruising subsides within this time, it may take up to one year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. During this time, you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to its final result.
Rhinoplasty Risks & Complications
Rhinoplasty is a very commonly performed cosmetic surgery with a very low rate of error when done by an experienced board-certified cosmetic surgeon. However, as it is a surgery, it does come with a few inherent risks. These include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Adverse reaction to the anesthesia
- Pain and discomfort
- Breathing problems
- Numbness around the nose
- Possibility of nasal asymmetry
- Persistent swelling
- Persistent discoloration
- Visible scarring
- Septal perforation, i.e., a hole in the septum
- The eventual need for a revision rhinoplasty
Not ready for surgical rhinoplasty?
If you feel you are not ready for surgical rhinoplasty, a popular procedure is non surgical rhinoplasty, which Dr. Repta is highly skilled in. If you are interested, please click here to learn more about non surgical nose jobs. Otherwise, please continue reading to learn more about the rhinoplasty procedure, benefits and recovery process.
Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
During your Scottsdale rhinoplasty consultation, Dr. Repta will discuss your cosmetic goals and expectations, medical conditions, current medications, and details of previous surgeries. Following the discussion, he will examine your nose, evaluate your general health, and run imaging tests to curate the ideal treatment plan. Dr. Repta leverages state-of-the-art imaging technologies to produce a digital image of your treatment results, allowing you to see the results before proceeding with the rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty FAQs
Do I stay overnight after the rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure. You can return home after a brief observation period. However, you should arrange to have someone else drive you home.
What is the recovery time for rhinoplasty?
You’ll have to wear a nasal splint for 7 to 10 days, and you can expect mild swelling and bruising for up to 2 weeks. You can resume strenuous activities in 4 weeks.
When can I see the rhinoplasty results?
The rhinoplasty results will be visible once the swelling goes down in 2 to 3 weeks.
A word from Dr. Repta:
Nose Job
"Everyone has heard of it but few know what it actually means.
Hollywood has done a great job of getting the term “nose job” out there to the public, but not very many people know what it actually entails. Confusion about what a “nose job” is, is often made worse because of the different terms that describe components of what a “nose job” can be. Terms such as:
- spreader grafts
- tip refinement
- hump reduction
- nostril correction
- tip elevation
These terms describe components of a “nose job”. A nose job or rhinoplasty are one and the same thing. Nose shaping surgery or nose surgery can also be used to mean the same thing as well, and all four terms are often used interchangeably.
The most important part of a nose job or rhinoplasty is not the words but what the final shape and outcome is. It will be important for you as the patient to understand and be able to communicate how you would like your nose to look when it's all said and done. This is really the only reason to be educated about all of these different words, names, and terms related to nose job surgery.
The nasal tip is of course the tip of the nose. It is the part in-between the columella, that piece between the nostrils, and the bridge of the nose. In general, the tip of the nose is made up by the middle part of the lower lateral cartilages. The lower lateral cartilages are “C” shaped cartilages that form the columella, the nostrils, and the tip of the nose.
The sides of the nose, by the bridge of the nose, are made of the upper lateral cartilages. It is important to properly shape these cartilages to give the bridge of the nose the right shape and size, but also to allow for proper breathing. Spreader grafts are sometimes needed to open the internal nasal valve. This valve is where the upper lateral cartilages meet the nasal septum. The nasal septum is that large piece of cartilage that separates the left nostril air passage from the right nostril air passage.
Finally, there are two bones at the root of the nose, which are located between our eyes. These bones can be broken and moved so that the base of the nose, where the nose meets the cheeks/face, can be widened or narrowed as needed to achieve the desired “width” of the nose.
So lets review: A nose job is a rhinoplasty which is also nose shaping surgery. The nose is made up mainly of cartilage and a little bit of bone. The shaping changes that can be done for a rhinoplasty take place when the cartilage and bones get changed. In general, the nose should function well, should be balanced with the other parts of the face, and should be smooth and natural in appearance."
Schedule a Consultation
If you would like to know more about your Scottsdale plastic surgery options, request a consultation online. Or if you prefer, you are welcome to call the office at 855 DR REPTA and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you.
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