Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)

What is Rhinoplasty?

Whether due to genetics or injury, many people simply don’t like the look of their nose. With its location directly in the center of your face, your nose drastically influences what you look like. Maybe it’s too bumpy, too large, lacking contour, or just out of proportion with the rest of your features. If you’re not happy with the way your nose looks, it may affect how you feel about your overall appearance, and that can wear on you after a while.

Rhinoplasty—also known as nose surgery, or more commonly, a nose job—may be the solution. It’s one of the most often requested and performed plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can not only reshape your nose and change your look, it can boost your self-esteem and increase your confidence.

What Does Rhinoplasty Correct?

You already know rhinoplasty changes your nose. But what specifically can it address? Everyone’s body and face are different, so your concerns are unique. It’s about much more than simply changing the size of your nose. Rhinoplasty will affect your facial appearance, and how others see and recognize you. It’s imperative that the procedure be performed by a highly skilled surgeon who is able to produce your desired results by performing one or more of the following:

  • Decrease the overall size of your nose
  • Increase the size or change the contour of your nose with a facial implant
  • Shorten the length of your nose
  • Narrow the width of your nostrils
  • Reduce the prominence of the tip of your nose
  • Remove a prominent bump on the bridge of your nose
  • Correct nasal birth defects
  • Fix injuries from sports or other activities
  • Correct breathing difficulties by repairing a deviated septum

In addition to functional improvements, rhinoplasty can help you get the facial profile you’ve always wanted, allowing you to feel more confident about your appearance.

The Best Rhinoplasty Candidates

Choosing to undergo any kind of elective surgery is a big decision, with a lot of factors to take into account. Aside from personal reasons, though, some people are better candidates than others. Rhinoplasty may be a good option for you if:

  • you are over the age of 16, ensuring your nose is fully developed, and the results of the rhinoplasty will not be affected by further growth.
  • you are in good overall health—physically, mentally and emotionally.
  • you have realistic expectations of what rhinoplasty can do for you.
  • the size of your nose, whether too large or too small, is bothersome to you, and has a negative effect on how you feel about yourself.
  • the size and/or shape of your nose is out of balance with the rest of your facial features, and you seek a more harmonious appearance.
  • you suffer from breathing difficulties (pertaining only to the structure of your nose, not to any lung-related conditions), or have a snoring problem that can be corrected by nose surgery.

If you feel you’re a good candidate for rhinoplasty, or you’re not sure and have more questions, please schedule a free consultation, and we’ll be happy to help you make an educated decision that’s right for you.

How is Rhinoplasty Performed?

First, you’ll meet with your surgeon to go over your concerns, answer your questions, and discuss your possible results in an effort to ensure your expectations remain realistic.

We’ll provide you with detailed instructions to help you prepare for rhinoplasty. This will help your procedure go more smoothly, and will set you up for a quicker, easier recovery.

Your rhinoplasty surgery will be performed under general anesthesia by an experienced surgeon in our state-of-the-art accredited clinic. Nose surgery typically takes approximately three hours to perform. However, this may vary depending on the amount of correction your nose needs.

Once the surgery is complete, your doctor will likely place splints in your nose to ensure it heals straight. You may also have a few stitches, and external bandages.

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure, meaning you will not have to stay overnight in our clinic. After surgery, our nurses and professional medical staff will monitor you in our comfortable recovery room until you’re ready to go home with a friend or loved one.

Rhinoplasty Risks and Complications

No surgery is without some degree of risk and potential complications. The most common side effects of rhinoplasty are bruising, swelling and pain, which are all temporary, and decrease with time.

Potential rhinoplasty complications include burst blood vessels in the nose, scarring, bleeding, infection, and complications related to the administration of anesthesia.

Should you begin to experience any complications after your nose surgery, do not hesitate to contact us or come in for immediate care.

Questions & Answers

  • When will I see results?

    Though a change is immediately apparent following surgery, bandages, swelling and bruising may hide the results. The true rhinoplasty results appear in the months following surgery. Complete rhinoplasty recovery may take up to a year in some cases, but most patients usually notice improvement sooner than that.

  • How long do rhinoplasty results last?

    Rhinoplasty will permanently alter the shape and/or size of your nose, though your results may be affected over time by the natural signs of aging.

  • Does insurance cover rhinoplasty?

    Ontario Health Insurance Plan or private insurance may cover rhinoplasty septoplasty) if you suffer from severe breathing difficulties. The purpose of the surgery is functional and not for cosmetic purposes, and therefore, aesthetic defects will most likely not be corrected.

  • Will I have any visible rhinoplasty scars?

    Although rhinoplasty does require incisions, they tend to be in discreet areas, such as the inside of the nose or underneath the nose, right between the nostrils. Any scarring that results is minimal and well concealed. To help the scar heal properly (into a fine line that is barely noticeable), carefully follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions.

  • Does rhinoplasty hurt?

    General anesthesia is administered during rhinoplasty, so you will not feel anything during the procedure. Following the procedure, your surgeon may prescribe medication to alleviate any pain. Most patients experience more discomfort than pain as they recover.

  • Doe rhinoplasty cause black eyes?

    Sometimes. But not everyone gets black eyes after this procedure. If you do, they typically subside after a week or so of rest.

  • Am I old enough to have rhinoplasty done?

    We strongly recommend rhinoplasty candidates be at least 16 years old (women), or 18 years old (men). This is to ensure the face is fully developed as further growth would affect the rhinoplasty results.

  • Will rhinoplasty require breaking my nose?

    Not always. It depends on the person, their unique anatomy, the type of rhinoplasty being performed, and the desired results. Many patients only need cartilage reshaping to achieve their goals.

  • Will everyone notice that I had a rhinoplasty?

    It depends. The point of rhinoplasty is to restore balance to your face and enhance your features. Depending on the amount of correction needed, your face may look different enough for some people to notice. Others may simply think your face has a more harmonious look without realizing exactly why.

  • How soon can I go back to work?

    Typically, you should rest for one week after your rhinoplasty procedure. After one or two weeks, your bandages will be removed, and you may be able to apply makeup to your face to help hide any residual bruising.

  • If I break my nose, how long do I need to wait before I can have rhinoplasty?

    If you’ve sustained injury to your nose, you may need to wait a few months for the swelling to subside before you proceed with rhinoplasty. It will depend on the severity of the injury. During your consultation, be sure to inform your surgeon if you have suffered a nose injury within the last six months so he can ensure you’re able to undergo nose surgery.

  • Is surgery necessary to change my nose?

    Not always. Depending on the condition of your nose, what concerns you want to address, and what results you desire, you may be able to have a non-surgical nose jobinstead. This procedure doesn’t require surgery, and is performed with dermal fillers. Ask about this option during your initial consultation.