Insider’s Guide: Rhinoplasty

Everyone wants a nose that is proportional to their face! Whether you want to reshape your nose, adjust its size, or correct a defect, there are several different types of rhinoplasty that can help you achieve the look you are after. Consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is critical, so that you can discuss your desired outcome. From there, the plastic surgeon will evaluate which rhinoplasty procedure is best for you .

In this article, I provide an overview of 3 rhinoplasty procedures so that you understand what each one involves.

3 Types of Rhinoplasty Procedures

1. Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

   There are a few individuals that can benefit from nonsurgical rhinoplasty. This procedure normally entails using derma-fillers to fix small imperfections in the dorsum of the nose. While a nonsurgical approach may be easier, the down side to using fillers is that they are temporary and will require re-injection of the site every year. With every repeat treatment there’s the risk of scarring and blood vessel obstruction, a serious condition that can cause necrosis of the nasal skin. Although plastic surgery of the nose may seem overwhelming at first, the desired results are usually obtained after a single procedure.

2. Closed Rhinoplasty

   A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can sometimes fix the area of concern with minimal incisions. Incisions are made inside the nostril with no external scars. If the issue is small, such as the tip or the dorsum of the nose, these issues can be addressed with local anesthesia. This has the advantage that there is no visible scarring after surgery; however, this closed rhinoplasty might not be suitable for all cases that require extensive reshaping. Another limitation of this approach is that the small incisions prevent the plastic surgeon from fully visualizing the nasal structure. Decreased visibility makes the surgeon more dependent on feel. This can result in an inability to fix the entire issue.

3. Open Rhinoplasty

   This technique is considered to be the best surgical option by experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. Utilizing a small outer incision under the nasal tip, between the nostrils. The rest of the incisions are made on the inside of the nose. This allows the surgeon to see the entire nose including all the underlying bone and cartilage. Through this technique ALL of the issues concerning the nose can be corrected. The scars are well hidden around the contour of the nose.

Finally, remember that board certification is no substitute for talent when it comes to selecting a Rhinoplasty surgeon. When consulting with potential plastic surgeons, ask how many nose reshaping procedures he or she has performed. Then, look at Rhinoplasty before and after photos from previous patients. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Make sure the results you see look natural and visually pleasing to you personally. Your plastic surgeon’s aesthetic sensibility has to align with yours. Beware that a computer simulation is often used to trick patients into overestimating the real talents of the surgeon.

The most experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeons will be able to perform all three of these procedures and can discuss each option in detail. I make it a point to communicate with each patient as thoroughly as possible, from describing the procedure to sketching the proposed changes of their nose so that we can agree on the approach.

Good luck on your research and I hope that these Insider Tips on Rhinoplasty help you in making the correct decision for you.