Frequently Asked Question

No. Rhinoplasty is a challenging operation. This is due to several factors. First, the nose is a complicated 3D shape that is in the middle of the face. Changes made during rhinoplasty are often very small. But these changes can make a major difference in the way the nose looks and functions. Because these changes are small, so is the margin for error.

Swelling and the placement of local anesthetic in the skin distort the nose during surgery, hiding many of the subtle changes made. Rhinoplasty also doesn't have a standard plan or set order of steps. Doctors tailor each operation to the needs of the patient.

Nearly everyone who has rhinoplasty is able to safely leave the hospital the same day after surgery. In rare cases, you may stay in the hospital for one night if you're having a hard time with nausea or have other health problems that need to be monitored.

Plan to take a week off from work, school or other obligations. You will feel progressively better each day during the first week. One week after surgery, people usually feel like they are themselves again.

After surgery, there will be some swelling. The swelling can take many months to resolve, although most people stop noticing it after a couple of months. People are usually back to performing most activities after a week and resuming all activities after two to four weeks.

All surgeries have risks. Fortunately, rhinoplasty risks are small and complications are rare. Your doctor will talk to you about the surgery's risks and benefits in detail before the operation.

The cost of a rhinoplasty depends on several factors, including the complexity of the surgery, the surgeon's training and experience.

Yes. Before your consultation, your doctor will take standardized photographs of multiple views of your face. These photos can be manipulated to give you an idea of what your nose might look like after surgery.

Not for most people. One day after surgery, most people rate their pain between 0 and 4 out of 10.

Scarring is really not an issue with these surgeries. If surgeon uses the open method, there will be a tiny incision scar along the columella on the bottom of your nose between the nostrils. This tiny scar is barely noticeable and it fades dramatically with time. If the closed method is used, all incisions are made within the nose, so there is no visible scarring.

Once your splint is removed, you’ll see the majority of your results immediately. Swelling will delay your final results, but the majority of your swelling should resolve within three weeks. At that point, although quantifying is difficult, you’ll probably be able to see about 80 percent of your final results.

The problem is residual swelling, particularly at the nasal tip. This can take a full year to completely resolve. It can resolve earlier in some patients. Still, you’ll love most of the changes within that first month after your surgery.

Bruising is pretty much guaranteed after nose surgery because of the tissue trauma. Your bruising will be the worst from three to seven days after your surgery. It will start as deep purple color and will transition to a brownish orange before fully clearing. It’s likely that some of your bruising may track down and discolor your cheeks. Some of this depends on the extent of changes made with your nose. 

More than 200,000 people underwent rhinoplasty last year alone. This procedure, performed to reshape the nose, has consistently been among the leading cosmetic surgeries year after year. Still, there are thousands of people who would like to change something about their nose but don’t. In too many cases, procrastination has to do with misinformation. Here, we want to explain some far-fetched ideas about rhinoplasty, and how they are wrong, so you are better able to make the important decision of whether or not this procedure is right for you.

A nose job is easy to spot. The idea that a nose that has had work done will forever look like a nose that’s had work done is based on misinformation. It is unfortunate that living proof exists to demonstrate the possible downside of going too far with rhinoplasty. However, more nose jobs turn out looking beautifully natural than obviously altered. A skilled plastic surgeon knows how to accomplish the best results.

A nose job can be tailored any way you wish. Rhinoplasty is not a procedure to approach with a specific nose in mind. The nose is central to the overall aesthetic of the face. It must fit within the proportions and dimensions of the facial anatomy. To have a particular nose size and shape in mind misses the importance of symmetry on your unique facial structure. It is possible to find surgeons who will accommodate this request; that’s why we have living proof of bad nose jobs.

Any cosmetic surgeon can achieve rhinoplasty success. Any cosmetic surgeon who has been trained can perform rhinoplasty; this much is true. What needs to be explored is how experienced a surgeon is. Nose jobs are not simplistic procedures. There are several nuances that need to be achieved and meticulous maneuvering that must be performed to achieve the finest outcome.