Rhinoplasty

Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty) New Jersey

Nose reshaping surgery (rhinoplasty) is one of the most common cosmetic procedures. It can do many things to improve the look of your nose, such as:

• Reshape your nose, whether across the tip or the bridge
• Reduce the size of your nose, making it shorter or narrower
• Decrease the size of large nostrils
• Increase the size of your nose if you feel it is too small or too narrow
• Change the angle between the nose and upper lip
• Correct birth defects or injuries, including a bump on the bridge of your nose
• Improve breathing problems by correcting a deviated septum

The results of rhinoplasty can be subtle or dramatic, depending on how you want to look. The best outcome is a natural-looking nose that is well-balanced for your face.

If your nose surgery corrected a breathing issue, insurance may cover the procedure.

Your Consultation

When you sit down with your surgeon at Summit Medical Group to discuss your rhinoplasty, you will talk about your desires, expectations, and concerns. Your surgeon will review your medical history, examine your nose, chin, and face, and take pictures. Computer imaging can be used to show how your reshaped nose will look. The structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, shape of your face, thickness of your skin, and age will influence your procedure.

The Procedure

In most cases, rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure in our ambulatory surgery center. The type of anesthesia and location of surgery depends on the complexity of your procedure. Most nose reshaping surgeries take 1 to 2 hours to complete.

During the procedure, the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting bone and cartilage and sculpted to the desired shape. The location of incisions and stitches varies with each patient. For this reason, your surgeon will explain his or her approach with your nose during your consultation. In rare cases, a second surgery may be necessary to achieve your desired outcome.

Rhinoplasty is a highly individual procedure, although the incisions are generally very small and hidden inside the nose. For this reason, you should have no visible scars.

Recovery and Results

You will receive thorough written instructions to prepare for and recover from your surgery. Most patients describe mild discomfort after rhinoplasty, which can be managed with oral over-the-counter or prescription medications. You should be able to go home within a few hours of your procedure.

Bruising typically lasts about a week; however, you may have some swelling for several months. This is usually not noticeable to others, but it means your final results will take time. External and internal nasal splints may be used to support your nose and maintain its new shape while it heals. The splints are removed after a week. Most patients do not have to have their noses packed after surgery. If you experience some mild bleeding from your nostrils during the first week, you need not worry because some bleeding is normal. Do not blow your nose during the first week to ensure that your nose heals as quickly as possible.

You should be able to return to normal activities, including work or school about 10 days after your surgery. Check with your surgeon before engaging in strenuous activities.

You will need a follow-up visit with your surgeon a week after the procedure and periodic visits for up to a year to ensure that you are healing properly.

Call Summit Medical Group today at 908-277-8759 to make an appointment or for more information about how rhinoplasty can reshape your nose and even correct breathing difficulties.