Introduction to Rhinoplasty

Thousands of people seek cosmetic consultations to refine and enhance the proportions of their noses every year. Many patients seek out this procedure because they want their noses to look perfect with other facial features, whereas for others, a birth defect or an injury may have distorted the shape of the nose, and/or caused breathing difficulties.

At KH Plastic Surgery, we offer our Long Island & NYC area patients Rhinoplasty, a cosmetic plastic surgery solution that can be a life-changing procedure! Whether it’s making you feel more confident about yourself or making your quality of life better by allowing you to breathe easier!

Youthful woman looking in the mirror and playing with her hair | Rhinoplasty | NYC
Brunette woman in a sweater looking to the side| Rhinoplasty | NYC

What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, also known as nose surgery or a nose job, is a reconstructive surgery used to improve the appearance and/or functionality of the nose. Our skilled surgeons have years of experience performing rhinoplasty for New York City patients.

Rhinoplasty surgery involves altering the shape, size, and proportions of your nose to other facial features for cosmetic or medical reasons, sometimes both. The surgery may be carried out to correct breathing difficulties or nasal deformities that have come about as a birth defect or due to injury.

Since the nose is a major feature of your face, the perfect shape, and size make all the difference in your overall appearance. When planning a nose job, your plastic surgeon will consider your overall facial aesthetics, the structure of your nose, and the desired result.

The nose is composed of bone, cartilage, and skin. This surgical procedure can alter these tissues to enhance your nose profile and make your nose appear in perfect proportion with your other features.

What are the Benefits of Nose Surgery?

We have seen our Rhinoplasty NYC patients enjoy the following benefits from their nose job surgery:

  • Corrects a deviated columella or elongates a short columella
  • Fixes a nasal bridge that is too flat
  • Improves facial balance by changing the size, length, and shape of the nose
  • Improves nasal breathing
  • Increases projection of a drooping nasal tip
  • Lengthens a short nose by manipulating the nasal tip for a more balanced profile
  • Relieves any nasal airway obstruction by straightening a deviated nasal septum and reducing enlarged turbinates
  • Removes a hump or corrects a depression in the bridge of the nose
  • Reshapes a poorly defined, uneven, and wide nasal tip
  • Straightens a crooked nose or narrows a wide nose

Who are the Best Candidates for a Rhinoplasty procedure?

At KH Plastic Surgery, Dr. Hoschander has helped patients achieve a more balanced and pleasing facial appearance. Many of the candidates we see firsthand for rhinoplasty surgery meet the following criteria:

  • Completed facial growth
  • Maintain realistic goals for surgery
  • Non-smoker
  • Physically healthy
  • Unsatisfied with the appearance of their nose

A rhinoplasty can be performed on both women and men, and while the procedures use similar surgical techniques, the aesthetic surgery goals are a bit different for each. Dr. Hoschander will consider your facial features and goals when creating your procedure plan.

What’s the First Step?

Whether it’s your primary rhinoplasty or a revision, the first step is arranging a Rhinoplasty consultation to discuss the procedure. If you’re considering getting a nose job, you will need to set up an appointment with plastic surgeon Dr. Hoschander and discuss the details of your case. Being completely open during a consultation session is the only way to make sure you get the best results from the surgery.

Your plastic surgeon may:

  • Evaluate your special case and determine the best course of action to improve your nasal contours
  • Recommend changes in the nose profile that would enhance your appearance, if you’re getting a nose job for cosmetic reasons
  • Evaluate your overall health to make sure you’re medically fit for the surgery
  • Take your medical history to understand your motivation for the surgery and to determine the goals you’d like to achieve
  • Go over rhinoplasty before and after photos with you
  • Examine you physically. The nose may be analyzed and assessed carefully from the inside and the outside, as this may play a critical role in determining the impact of nose surgery on your breathing and overall facial appearance.
  • Speak to you about what you should expect from the surgery. Most people shy away from discussing their appearance. However, it is important that you openly discuss your case with your doctor and talk about your goals for the surgery.

To prepare you for your facial plastic surgery, your surgeon may recommend you to:

  • Stop taking certain medications at least two weeks before surgery until complete recovery, especially medications that contain ibuprofen or aspirin, as these may increase bleeding. Once you’re scheduled for the surgery, only take medications that are prescribed by your doctor.
  • Quit smoking at least four weeks before surgery until you’re healed completely, as smoking impedes the process of healing and increases the odds of potential infections
  • Have someone drive you home afterward, as it would not be safe for you to drive yourself
  • Have someone at home to care for you for at least one week as you recover from surgery
Dark haired woman leaning to the side | Rhinoplasty | NYC

What to Expect on the Day of Rhinoplasty Surgery

Nose reshaping surgery is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure, which means you won’t have to stay overnight in the hospital after the surgery. The surgical procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia at a fully accredited surgical facility so patients can feel comfortable during the surgery.

During the surgery, incisions will be made. Closed rhinoplasty involves incisions made inside the nostrils. During open rhinoplasty, incisions may be made across the tip of the nose. The right incision method for you will be discussed during the consultation.

Even a very small correction can make a huge difference in overall facial appearance. Most patients report little or no pain after surgery, and any discomfort that may be experienced after surgery can be handled with pain medication.

Rhinoplasty Recovery

After your rhinoplasty, Dr. Hoschander may ask you to wear a splint to provide support to your nose. You will also need to sleep with your head elevated to prevent accidentally harming your healing nose during the night. The healing process may last for up to three to four months depending upon your case. The final shape of your nose will become apparent once it has healed completely.

You may resume normal activities within two to four weeks of the nose job procedure. Dr. Hoschander will be able to provide more information regarding the length of the recovery period and how to care for your new nose after surgery.

Tips for Recovery

Your recovery is a vital aspect of having successful results from your rhinoplasty. Below are some tips that can help you heal properly and adequately expedite your recovery:

  • Get Plenty of Rest
    The postoperative pain you experience might prevent you from sleeping soundly, but rest is an essential component of the healing process. Your body needs to recover its strength, so giving yourself enough time to rest is critical. Sleep helps your body repair damaged tissue, and if you get too little sleep, your body can’t perform these repairs properly.
  • Try to Maintain the Swelling
    After having rhinoplasty, using a plastic bag filled with ice or keeping the nasal opening open to relieve swelling and pain may be helpful. You may want to do this for the first few days following surgery. It will limit blood circulation to the affected part, reducing inflammation and speeding up the recovery process.
  • Avoid Anti-Inflammatory Medication
    Anti-inflammatory meds can increase nasal swelling and blood circulation, which may result in bruising or slower healing. We recommend discussing the use of anti-inflammatories with Dr. Hoschander before using them during the recovery period.
  • No Smoking
    It’s often best to avoid smoking for at least four months before surgery or until you’re medically cleared to resume. If nicotine remains in your body after smoking, it could restrict blood vessels and block some nutrients from reaching the wound, which would result in a poor healing process. Smoking can also significantly delay the healing process by increasing the risk of complications.
  • Walk Routinely
    Regular walks can gently increase blood flow throughout your entire system, allowing fluids to circulate and prevent fluid buildup in your nose. Additionally, by increasing your breathing and slightly increasing your heart rate, you can provide yourself with additional fresh air, which aids in reducing stress levels and prevents congestion from forming inside your sinuses.
  • Maintain a Healthy Diet
    A balanced diet after nose surgery helps speed up the healing process by giving your body the nutrition it needs to recover quickly. Protein is one of the three main nutrients needed by our bodies (along with carbohydrates and fats). Nuts, meats, dairy products, eggs, beans, and other high-protein foods provide these vital nutrients and also help repair damage to our noses caused by injury or surgery. You’ll also need to ensure that you are consuming enough vitamin A and vitamin C. Vitamin A helps boost immunity and fight infection, while Vitamin C is vital for bone health, wound healing, and boosting energy levels. Some foods rich in vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, and bell peppers.
  • Do Not Blow Your Nose
    After nose job surgery, you’ll likely feel some congestion due to swollen nasal tissue for a few weeks, possibly even up to a month or two. Do NOT try to blow your own nose during those times; instead, call your facial plastic surgeon immediately if you start having trouble breathing through your nostrils. He may prescribe you a saline nasal rinse to help keep your sinuses moist until they heal. You should be able to breathe normally again within six weeks. Instead of avoiding sneezing altogether, try to do it by blowing out air through your mouth rather than your nasal passages. It may be gross, but it’s a better option than damaging your fragile nostrils and delaying your healing process.
  • Avoid Spicy Foods
    During the first few days after surgery, any irritation in your nose or nasal passage may lead to postoperative bleeding, infection, or swelling. That’s why you’ll be urged to avoid spicy and salty foods for this period. Spices such as chili powder irritate the sinuses and can cause your blood vessels to dilate, increasing swelling and bruising in the early stages of healing. If you don’t eat spicy food, you can prevent your nose from swelling or causing irritation in general, so your healing time won’t be extended.
  • Stay in the Shade
    During your rhinoplasty recovery, it’s always a good idea to take extra care to avoid getting too much sunlight. Your nose is even more susceptible to burning than usual because of the surgery itself, and too much sunlight can worsen any bruising or swelling you might have.
  • Don’t Wear Glasses During Recovery
    Since the nasal bones will most likely be repositioned in some fashion, glasses should be avoided for at least five weeks or so during your healing period. People who wear contacts can put them in the day following surgery.
  • Attend Your Post-Op Appointments
    You MUST keep all scheduled follow-up visits. Dr. Hoschander may need to remove packing materials or stitching from your nose (depending on the type of rhinoplasty performed), keep an eye out for possible signs of unusual swelling, and ensure that you’re healing just as you’re supposed to.

How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost in New York City?

While the cost of functional rhinoplasty may be covered by a patient’s health insurance provider, the price of cosmetic rhinoplasty is not typically covered. The exact techniques utilized, the overall time required to perform the procedure, and many other factors determine the cost of Rhinoplasty in the New York area.

Why Choose Dr. Hoschander?

Dr. Ari S. Hoschander is a proud member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He is one of NYC’s top specialists in breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty, facelift, and eyelid surgery. He also performs minimally invasive non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures, including BOTOX and dermal fillers. Dr. Hoschander always employs an artful approach to his cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeries.

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Whether you need revision, cosmetic, or preservation Rhinoplasty, KH Plastic Surgery wants to help you breathe easier and feel more confident in your appearance. Contact our office today to arrange an initial consultation in NYC with Dr. Hoschander, and one of our helpful team members will help you get closer to your aesthetic goals!

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