Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty may change the bridge, tip, nostrils, width, projection, or overall proportion of the nose. It can improve a feature or balance, but it cannot create a perfect nose, guarantee symmetry, or reproduce another person's result.

Breathing difficulty may involve the septum, nasal valves, turbinates, allergies, or other causes. Cosmetic rhinoplasty does not automatically correct nasal obstruction. A functional evaluation should identify whether septoplasty, another treatment, or an additional specialist is appropriate.

Open rhinoplasty adds a small incision across the columella, the tissue between the nostrils, to provide direct access to nasal structures. Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions inside the nostrils. Neither approach is automatically better; the appropriate access depends on the changes required and the surgeon's plan.

Bone or cartilage may be reshaped, repositioned, removed, or supported with grafts. The anesthesia plan, incision approach, graft source if one is needed, and use of internal or external splints should be discussed before surgery.

Revision rhinoplasty addresses concerns after prior nose surgery. Scar tissue, altered anatomy, limited remaining cartilage, skin characteristics, and the reason for revision can make planning and healing less predictable than with a first rhinoplasty.

Bring prior operative records and clear photographs if available. A surgeon should explain what can realistically be changed, whether graft material may be needed, and why waiting for prior healing may be recommended.

Risks can include anesthesia complications, bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, unfavorable scarring, persistent swelling, changes in sensation, skin discoloration, asymmetry or contour irregularity, nasal obstruction or other breathing difficulty, septal perforation, pain, and the possibility of revision surgery. This is not a complete list.

A splint or other support may be used, and bruising, swelling, congestion, and temporary asymmetry can occur. The nose continues to change as swelling settles, so early appearance is not the final result. Work, exercise, glasses, contact sports, sun exposure, and travel instructions must come from the clinical team.

Out-of-town patients should confirm medical-clearance steps, arrival timing, transportation, local accommodation, the first follow-up visit, and when the clinical team may consider flying or a long drive appropriate before booking nonrefundable travel.

The current office policy provided to this site does not state one standard hotel-stay length for rhinoplasty. Confirm the requirement for your procedure directly with the office rather than applying the body-surgery or breast-surgery rules.

• Which concerns are cosmetic, functional, or both?
• Would an open or closed approach be used, and why?
• Would cartilage grafting or septal work be part of the plan?
• What asymmetry or structural limits are likely to remain?
• What risks and alternatives are most relevant to my anatomy and history?
• If this is a revision, what records and healing time are needed?
• May I review cases with a similar starting nose, skin, and goals?

Use the rhinoplasty gallery to prepare specific questions about goals and case context, then independently verify the surgeon and proposed surgical setting before you schedule.