Rhinoplasty

What is Rhinoplasty?

The nose is the center of the face and its most prominent feature. Since the nose attracts a great deal of attention, many people are self-conscious about an overly large or misshapen nose. A rhinoplasty, commonly called a “nose job,” is unique among plastic surgeries. It may be performed for functional reasons (improved breathing), as well as aesthetic ones. During a rhinoplasty, the surgeon can reshape and sculpt the nose, including the bridge and the tip of the nose.

Dr. Gaon’s Approach

Facial refinements are as much of an art as they are a science. At Gaon Plastic Surgery, we believe all cosmetic enhancements should bring out the natural beauty of each person. Dr. Gaon blends an unmatched sense of artistry with exceptional clinical skills to correct disproportionate facial features.

Our approach is a personalized one, as we believe every patient should be an active participant in their treatment plan. We’ll work with you to identify your problem areas and define your ideal appearance. Every time you look in the mirror, we want you to take pride in your reflection.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Nose surgery, also known as rhinoplasty, enhances facial harmony, improving the proportions of the nose to change the way you look. There can be many reasons for having nose surgery, sometimes described by patients as “nose reshaping,” including the need to address structural defects that impair breathing.

Nose size in relation to facial balance, including the angle between the nose and the upper lipNose surgery can change or treat:

Nose size in relation to facial balance, including the angle between the nose and the upper lip
Nose size in relation to facial balance
Nose width at the bridge or in the size and position of the nostrils
Nose profile with visible humps or depressions on the bridge
Nasal tip that is enlarged or bulbous, drooping, upturned or hooked
Nostrils that are large, wide, or upturned
Nasal asymmetry

If you desire a more symmetrical nose, keep in mind that everyone’s face is asymmetric to some degree. This surgery will not give you a perfect nose. Results may not be completely symmetrical, although the goal is to create facial balance and correct proportion.

Nose surgery that’s done to improve an obstructed airway requires careful evaluation of the nasal structure as it relates to airflow and breathing. Correction of a deviated septum, one of the most common causes of breathing impairment, is achieved by adjusting the nasal structure to produce better alignment.

Rhinoplasty is a highly individualized procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Nose surgery is a good option if:

Your facial growth is complete
You are physically healthy
You don’t smoke
You have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance

This surgery can be done along with other surgeries.

How Can I Prepare for My Consultation or Surgery?

What Are The Steps of the Procedure?

Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incision
Surgery of the nose is performed either using a closed procedure, where incisions are hidden inside the nose, or an open procedure, where an incision is made across the columella, the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. Through these incisions, the skin that covers the nasal bones and cartilages is gently raised, allowing access to reshape the structure of the nose.

Step 3 – Reshaping the nose structure
An overly large nose may be reduced by removing bone or cartilage. Sometimes surgery of the nose may require the addition of cartilage grafts. Most commonly, cartilage from the septum, the partition in the middle of the nose, is used for this purpose. Occasionally cartilage from the ear or, rarely, a section of rib cartilage can be used.

Step 4 – Correcting a deviated septum
If the septum is deviated, it can be straightened and the projections inside the nose reduced to improve breathing.

Step 5 – Closing the incision
Once the underlying structure of the nose is sculpted to the desired shape, nasal skin and tissue is redraped and incisions are closed. Additional incisions may be placed in the natural creases of the nostrils to alter their size.

Step 6 – See the results
For a few days, splints and gauze packing will likely support the nose as it begins to heal. While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. During this time you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome. Swelling may come and go and worsen in the morning during the first year following your nose surgery

What Are The Risks?

How Long Is the Recovery Time After Surgery?

When Will I Start To See Results?

How Much Will It Cost?

Prices for nose surgeries can vary. A surgeon’s cost may be based on his or her experience and geographic office location. Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.

Cost may include:

Anesthesia fees
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Medical tests
Prescription medication
Surgeon’s fee

When nose surgery is performed to improve breathing function, the cause is most commonly an obstructed airway. This procedure, whether performed alone or in conjunction with cosmetic nose surgery, is considered reconstructive and may be covered by insurance. This requires a detailed examination to verify the cause of your breathing impairment and prior authorization from your insurer.

Your satisfaction involves more than a fee:
When choosing a plastic surgeon for nose surgery, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting an American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) member you can trust. ASPS member surgeons meet rigorous standards:

Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery® (ABPS) or in Canada by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®
Complete at least six years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training
Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
Graduate from an accredited medical school
Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety each year
Perform surgery in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified surgical facilities

Do not be confused by other official-sounding boards and certifications.

The ABPS is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which has approved medical specialty boards since 1934. There is no ABMS-recognized certifying board with “cosmetic surgery” in its name. By choosing a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can be assured that you are choosing a qualified, highly trained plastic surgeon who is board certified by the ABPS or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

The Results

At Gaon Plastic Surgery, we believe our artistic results speak for themselves. Explore our patients’ before and after pictures to get an idea of how plastic surgery might change your appearance. Dr. Gaon combines your inspiration with his clinical skills to produce exceptional, natural-looking results.