What is Rhinoplasty? And What Does a Nose Job Cost

What is Rhinoplasty? And What Does a “Nose Job” Cost

Rhinoplasty or a “nose job” as it’s commonly known, is the surgical modification of the nose, usually performed for cosmetic reasons, though it is also done to restore the nose after trauma or burns, to correct a structural abnormality such as a deviated septum or to correct a defect from birth. It is one of the most commonly performed surgeries and the second most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure overall. In the U.S., about 300,000 people per year currently undergo rhinoplasty.

The Greek prefix “rhino” means “nose” and “plasty” is a suffix which indicates modification, derived from the Greek word “plassein”. Most people who get rhinoplasty, or “nose jobs” would simply like to modify their appearance. Nose jobs are one of the most common surgical procedures performed, and patients are on the whole very satisfied with the outcome.

Is a “Nose Job” for You? What You Need to Know Pre -Rhinoplasty Surgery?

If you are considering rhinoplasty, you will want to find a reputable cosmetic or plastic surgeon surgeon who has performed many of these procedures with good outcomes.

You will want to find out:

how many rhinoplasty procedures he or she has done
how frequently patients are satisfied with the outcome of their nose job
you will want to see some nose job photos of patients before and after rhinoplasty surgery
if the cosmetic surgeon is specialty trained in plastic surgery (usually called a fellowship)
if they are being board certified; though not absolutely necessary, it is an additional stamp of approval
if you are going for a revision of a prior rhinoplasty surgery you will want to know whether the surgeon is experienced in nose job revisions, which are generally more difficult to perform
what does a nose job cost? As a comparison, the average cost for a first time rhinoplasty in the United States is about $4500.

The surgeon will want to know about your own past medical and surgical history. They will want to know the medications you take, if any, and if you are allergic to any medications.

It is especially important to let your cosmetic surgeon know:

if you are on any blood thinning medications such as Coumadin or Plavix
if you normally take anything with Aspirin or Ibuprofen
if you are taking any vitamin E or herbal supplements, some which can affect bleeding
if you have had any problems being too slow to form clots and stop bleeding
if you have had a history of blood clots anywhere in your body.

The surgeon will also want to know your expectations for the rhinoplasty surgery so that you both have a clear idea what the goal should be, and your surgeon should let you know if this is a realistic goal. They will take photos of your nose pre-surgery for documentation and for purposes of making the specific plan of surgery for you.

So what are the risks involved in having a “Nose Job”?

Some of the risks for Rhinoplasty are the same as those for other surgical procedures, such as the possibility of infection post-operatively, pain, and anesthetic complications. The other risks are the risks of all cosmetic surgeries which are that you may not be satisfied with the outcome and may wish to have a revision, or “re-do” surgery at some point.

The more common risks of rhinoplasty surgery are:

A risk of recurrent nose bleeds after surgery
Difficulty breathing through the nose after surgery
Numbness and/or pain around the nose and the surrounding surgical area
Uneven healing or scarring of the nose which may be unattractive to the patient
The risk of dissatisfaction with the outcome of the nose job, which may lead the patient to want a second, or revision, surgery

What are you expected to do before a “nose job”?

Before rhinoplasty you should not take any aspirin or ibuprofen containing medicines for at least 2 weeks before the date of the surgery. As mentioned above, you will be asked to abstain from eating solid food for at least 8 hours prior to the nose surgery. If you are a smoker, it is strongly recommended that you quit smoking at least 2 weeks before the surgery and for at least several weeks after while the nose heals. The carbon monoxide and other chemicals in the smoke interfere with healing, and you want to give yourself every chance to have the best looking outcome from your rhinoplasty procedure.

The Rhinoplasty Procedure

What happens on the day of the Rhinoplasty surgery?

Depending on the extensiveness of the modification and your own personal preference, you will either be given general anesthesia or some type of sedation along with local anesthesia. In either case you will be asked to not eat after midnight on the night before

Nose Job or Rhinoplasty

surgery, and have nothing but clear liquid such as water or tea on the morning of surgery. You will be given an IV in one of the veins of your arm for administering fluids and medications. You will probably be given some light sedation to calm your nerves before you go into the operating room. In the operating room it will be cold and bright, and the staff will attach monitors to you such as a blood pressure cuff and an EKG as you move onto the operating table.

Most “nose jobs” are performed using incisions inside the nose so there will not be a visible scar. Incisions are made inside the nostrils and sometimes in the septum between the nostrils. The bone and cartilage are either built up or shaved down as needed. In some cases the surgeon may take bone or cartilage from another part of your body to augment the nose, but he or she will discuss this with you before surgery.

What can you expect after Rhinoplasty surgery?

Rhinoplasty is usually considered day surgery meaning that you will be discharged home the same day. You will need someone to drive you home and preferably someone who can attend to you at least during the first night when you may be in pain and a bit disoriented from the anesthesia. You will have some pain as the local anesthesia wears off but you will be given pain medication to take as needed to control the pain. If you have had any bad reactions to specific pain medications in the past it is important to let your doctor know this.

You will have a bandage and a splint on your nose which will remain in place for about a week. You will be asked to sit upright after surgery, and to try and sleep in a propped up position or in a chair for the first night or two in order to minimize swelling and bleeding. Your face will appear bruised and discolored and this is very normal fro any type of rhinoplasty surgery. Gradually the swelling and discoloration will disappear and you will see your new nose.