Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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Rhinoplasty Procedure - What Results Are Possible?

I'm considering a nose job. What can I expect from the rhinoplasty procedure itself? How long does it last, what goes on?

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Expectations of rhinoplasty

Please see the Patient’s Complete Guide to a Rhinoplasty at www.seattle-rhinoplasty.com. This is a good resource where you will find answers to your questions and what you need to know about rhinoplasty.

What to Expect From Rhinoplasty

A cosmetic Rhinoplasty seeks to reshape the nose to better fit the patient's aesthetic goals. Better nasal proportions and shape can have a pleasing, even dramatic affect on facial appearance. Reshaping the nose primarily involves changing the nasal skeleton, bone and cartilage, which can be reduced, reshaped or augmented to produce the desired changes. Surgery is usually an out-patient procedure done with general anesthesia or IV sedation. Time away from work is usually... more

Rhinoplasty: What To Expect The Day Of Surgery

Because each surgeon has a different approach, philosophy, and surgical technique, rhinoplasty will vary somewhat depending on who performs your surgery, where it is done, and how it is done. In general, rhinoplasty surgery lasts anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. Many surgeons perform the surgery with their patients under general anesthesia, which means you are completely asleep and don't feel or remember anything. After surgery, patients go to a recovery room area for 1-2 hours before being... more

Rhinoplasty Wonder

The "Rhinoplasty" will shape nasal bone, cartilage and skin. Therefore, you can expect a change in the shape of your nose. Look at lots of before & after photos of nose jobs and learn about the procedure on the internet. Make an appointment with a Facial Cosmetic Surgeon and bring in photos of "likable noses."

Predicting Rhinoplasty Results

Predicting rhinoplasty results is challenging as it is one of the most difficult operative procedures that we do in aesthetic surgery. It is a surgery of millimeters and long term results which change over time. The best predicator of results is really two-fold. It is being able to deliver the operative technique precisely and concisely and then how you heal post operatively, which is the greatest factor. Unfortunately, how you heal is genetically based.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

10 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

The Rhinoplasty Experience

Most patients are pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to go through the Rhinoplasty experience. The operation is typically short, lasting from 1-2 hours with minimal post operative discomfort. Bruising is to be expected if the nasal bones are repositioned but this will clear up within several weeks. A nasal splint can make you a bit conspicuous for a week after the procedure as well. Probably the main thing I hear from my patients is that they had to breathe out of their mouths for... more

Rhinoplasty what to expect

In the hands of a confident and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon a standard uncomplicated Rhinoplasty should be no more than 45 minutes operative time. A complicated rhinoplasty or one involving grafting can take 2 hours. The proceedure can be done with IV sedation or general endotracheal anesthesia. Minor touch-up and tip work can be done under local anesthesia. Everyone goes home 1 hour after surgery. You are up and around the next day.... most major swelling and black and blue is gone in 7 more

Rhinoplasty expectations

A rhinoplasty is a rearrangement of the underlying cartilage and bone structures under the skin. Skin thickness is also important. A qualified surgeon will guide you to what the elements of your nose are and how they can be put more in balance. Your surgeon will also help you explore the elements of your body image and your desire to change them. Wishing you all the best, Tal Raine MD

Talmage J. Raine, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

It all depends on what you started with and who treats you

Rhinoplasty is a procedure that should last a lifetime. It is not like a facelift that eventually develops more sagging of the skin. Rhinoplasties are reconstructive when they correct an airway obstruction and cosmetic when they are done primarily to improve the appearance. Depending on what you're nose looks like initially and what your goals are, will determine how much work will need to be done, to remodel the nose. When a plastic surgeon evaluates the nose, he is looking at the bony... more

Rhinoplasty expectations

During a rhinoplasty, most of the incisions are made inside the nose. Sometimes there are small incisions acress the columella of the nose and sometimes the upper bridge of the nose, but these external incisions will heal with virtually invisible scars. Through the incisions the surgeon makes, the nose can be modified in many ways: the overall size may be reduced, a hump on the bridge of the nose can be removed or the tip of the nose may be narrowed or elevated or the nostril size might be... more

Reasonable expectations for Rhinoplasty

I agree with Dr Papel. A reasonable expectation for this procedure as far as length of surgery, recovery time, functional and aesthetic outcome(ie appearance) will be discussed in a complete consultation with your facial plastic surgeon. Computer imaging along with seeing pre and post op results will be most helpful. You should allow 6 to 12 months for final results, in general, although some improvement will be evident much earlier; even when the external splint is removed, in many cases.... more

Rhinoplasty expectations and recovery

The recovery from rhinoplasty surgery will vary due to several factors: 1-The amount and type of 'work' being done on the nose 2-The nasal skin thickness (often, thicker skin takes longer to 'unswell', so to speak) 3-Individual factors (we all heal differently) Because of these factors, it would be impossible to tell you definitively how long it will take. However, in >90% of patients, 7-10 days is more than enough to get back to work/school. Note that final results can take 1 year or... more

Sam Most, MD

22 reviews

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drmost.com

Rhinoplasty experiences vary with the patient and the surgeon.

In more than 30 years of rhinoplasty experience, I have heard many disturbing patient experiences. This is not the norm! This should be a straight forward, relatively pain free or minimal pain, 1 week off work, etc. Seek out a qualified surgeon and ask to speak to his patients about their experience with the surgeon.

Toby Mayer, MD

7 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Rhinoplasty surgery expectations

Very generalized question that has been quite adequately answered here. I recommend you see 3 boarded rhinoplasty surgeons so you can receive an in detail summary of the 'what to expect' issue.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a good procedure to improve the appearance of the nose. The results should last a lifetime. Expect to be in a nasal splint for about a week and bruising for 1-2 weeks.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and What to Expect

Hi,Rhinoplasty is a permanent surgical procedure, so the results should last your lifetime. The most important aspect of your rhinoplasty is choosing an experienced and skilled rhinoplasty specialist whom you can trust with your nose. Rhinoplasty is considered the most difficult of all facial plastic surgical procedures.Everything about your proposed surgery should be explained to you by your surgeon at your consultation and again at your pre-operative appointment. You should have... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

21 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drpersky.com

What to expect after Rhinoplasty

Your recovery largely depends on the amount of work done on your nose. I assume you are going to have the "works" meaning reducing the hump on your nose, narrowing the bone, refining the tip and straightening the inside of the nose. The surgery usually takes 3-4 hours and you will have a splint on the nose and either nasal packing or splints inside the nose as well. The splint and packing is usually removed at 7-8 days. Your nose will be swollen for the first 3 months. It usually... more

Rhinoplasty Recovery

All patients looking into rhinoplasty surgery need to be realistic about a recovery period. Even straight forward rhinoplasty procedures result in some swelling, bruising, or drainage. This is normal and should be expected. External dressings are usually left on for 5-7 days, and are obvious in any public appearance. Therefore plan on at least one week of downtime. If you are a slow healer who bruises easily plan on 10 days. With proper planning rhinoplasty patients won't be rushed, and... more

Rhinoplasty & recovery

The recovery depends totally on the surgery performed an this can range from a quick & simple recovery for a tip rhinoplasty to a more complicated & prolonged recovery for a secondary revision with costal cartilage grafts. In general,some common milestones are removal of stitches between 3-5 days, removal of splint between 5-7 days, gentle low impact activity between 2-6 weeks.