Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, is a procedure performed to change the appearance of the nose. Sometimes referred to as a “nose job,” rhinoplasty can involve reducing the size of the nose, removing a bony hump, refining the nasal tip, narrowing the nasal bridge, reducing nostril flare, and altering the angle between the nose and upper lip. This treatment from our board-certified plastic surgeons can also correct previous nasal injuries and nasal birth defects. Usually unrelated to appearance, breathing problems can also be addressed during a rhinoplasty.

Dr. Brian Braithwaite and Dr. Lorri Cobbins are highly experienced in performing rhinoplasty to address both cosmetic and functional concerns. By customizing treatment to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual, they can help patients achieve a more desirable, proportionate nasal contour and improved overall facial harmony with natural-looking results.

• Rhinoplasty Candidates
• Rhinoplasty Benefits
• Ethnic Rhinoplasty
• Rhinoplasty Procedure
• Rhinoplasty Recovery
• Rhinoplasty Scars
• Rhinoplasty Longevity
• Rhinoplasty Complementary Treatments
• Rhinoplasty Cost
• Rhinoplasty & Insurance
• Additional Rhinoplasty FAQs

Am I a Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

To determine if you are a good candidate for nose surgery, Dr. Braithwaite or Dr. Cobbins can review your health history and perform an examination during your consultation. They will ask you how you would like your nose improved, and also inquire about any allergy history and previous nose surgery. An individual is often a candidate for rhinoplasty if they are in good general health, have realistic expectations about the outcome, and are looking for improvement in the appearance or function of their nose. Suitable candidates may seek rhinoplasty to correct structural irregularities, injuries that have altered the nose’s shape, aesthetic asymmetries, a deviated septum, or other concerns. It is also important for candidacy that the nose is fully developed, which typically occurs in late adolescence.

Dr. Braithwaite or Dr. Cobbins will carefully examine both the inside and outside of your nose, assessing skin thickness, bone position, cartilage shape, and any breathing concerns. Preoperative photos will also be taken during your visit. During the consultation, our plastic surgeon will aim to gain a complete understanding of your goals and desires, as well as review available techniques and limitations based on your specific case.

What Can Rhinoplasty Improve?

The National Institutes of Health1 note that rhinoplasty is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in the country, with tens of thousands of individuals seeking its numerous benefits. The rhinoplasty procedure can be personalized to address multiple areas of the nose based on each patient’s particular needs and goals. The following are specific enhancements that can be made to the different parts of the nose:

• Nasal Bridge: The nasal bridge can be straightened, thinned/widened, or increased/decreased in size.
• Nasal Tip: The nasal tip can be enlarged or reduced in size, and its shape can be made wider or narrower. In addition, the angle of the tip can be raised or lowered.
• Nostrils: The nostrils can be reshaped to improve their proportions and symmetry, as well as to enhance nasal breathing.
• Septum: A deviated septum can be repaired and properly realigned to help improve nasal breathing.

What Is Ethnic Rhinoplasty?

There are several different standards of beauty associated with specific races and ethnicities. For instance, the shape and size of the nose can vary considerably between cultures, and a plastic surgeon who practices “ethnic rhinoplasty” will keep this in mind in order to produce a natural-looking aesthetic that accommodates your needs and goals. Dr. Braithwaite and Dr. Cobbins enjoy the opportunity to enhance the features of patients from all ethnicities while adhering to each patient’s individual cosmetic wishes. No matter your background or goals, our surgeons will personalize the course of your rhinoplasty according to your unique facial anatomy.

What Can I Expect in My Rhinoplasty Recovery?

“Dr. Brian Braithwaite is the most competent, concerned, and dedicated physician I have encountered…He is meticulous in his patient care, completely dedicated to their well-being.”

Following rhinoplasty, an external nasal splint will often be applied to maintain the new shape of the nose during the initial healing period, and nasal packing may be inserted inside the nose if needed. Some degree of bruising and/or swelling in and around the nose is typical, though these side effects are temporary and should subside with time. A significant amount of pain is rare, but any soreness or discomfort can usually be alleviated with medication. Most patients may drive and return to work once they discontinue narcotic pain medicine. Despite this resumption of normal daily routines, any heavy lifting, intense exercise, and/or other strenuous physical activities will need to be avoided for a minimum of three to six weeks to ensure the nose heals fully and properly.

Will I Have Noticeable Scars After Rhinoplasty?

If an open rhinoplasty is performed, a slight scar may form where the incision is made at the base of the columella. Fortunately, the majority of patients find that this scar is virtually invisible once fully healed. In the event the closed rhinoplasty technique is utilized, all incisions are made inside the nose, so no scarring will be apparent.

How Long Does a Rhinoplasty Last?

The results of a professionally-performed rhinoplasty surgery can be extremely long-lasting; in fact, they will likely be permanent. This is because advanced rhinoplasty techniques can completely alter the structure of the nose, from its size to its shape to its positioning. Furthermore, to protect your results, Dr. Braithwaite and Dr. Cobbins advise you to take extra precautions when playing sports or doing other activities to minimize the potential for harm to the nose.

Which Facial Treatments Can Complement Rhinoplasty?

For individuals whose aesthetic concerns are not limited to the nose, rhinoplasty can often be combined with other surgical and/or non-surgical treatments for a more comprehensive facial enhancement. Some of the most common procedures our patients choose to receive along with rhinoplasty include:

• Dermal Fillers and Injectables – Nonsurgical options such as dermal fillers and injectables can refine and enhance rhinoplasty results and provide delicate improvements in nasal contour and symmetry. They are particularly useful for correcting minor irregularities and asymmetries post-surgery, offering a non-invasive option to achieve a more harmonious facial appearance.
• Eyelid Surgery – Eyelid surgery often pairs well with rhinoplasty. When performed together, these procedures can enhance overall facial symmetry and aesthetics, ensuring that the eyes and nose harmonize to highlight the patient’s natural features more effectively.
• Facial Fat Grafting – Through the restoration of volume and improvement of facial contours, facial fat grafting can help enhance the results of rhinoplasty and provide a more balanced and youthful appearance. This technique allows for subtle refinements in the contours of other facial features to ensure that the new nose shape integrates smoothly with the patient’s overall facial aesthetics.
• Facelift – A facelift can address sagging skin, wrinkles, and jowl formation, thus complementing rhinoplasty and providing more comprehensive rejuvenation of the face.

After listening to your goals and assessing your specific needs, our doctors can formulate a treatment plan designed to help you achieve the facial aesthetic you desire with beautiful, natural-looking results.

How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons2, the average cost of rhinoplasty in the U.S. is $7,637. Since every rhinoplasty performed at our practice is individually tailored to suit the patient’s unique needs and goals, the cost of rhinoplasty typically varies on a case by case basis. Factors that can influence the overall expense of treatment include which technique is performed, how many parts of the nose are being addressed, the overall complexity of the operation, and whether or not rhinoplasty is combined with another procedure. After thoroughly discussing all of these components at the time of the consultation, your doctor can provide a personalized estimate of the total cost.

Is Rhinoplasty Covered by Insurance?

Rhinoplasty is typically only covered by insurance companies if it is deemed medically necessary. Patients with a deviated septum, for example, may receive coverage since the procedure is intended to improve their nasal function for breathing. Those seeking nose surgery for cosmetic improvement, on the other hand, are often not eligible for coverage. To determine whether your policy covers rhinoplasty, you will need to contact your insurance provider.

Additional FAQs About Rhinoplasty

Drs. Braithwaite and Cobbins have answered several frequently asked questions regarding rhinoplasty to help you become more informed about this nasal procedure:

Is There a Difference Between Male and Female Rhinoplasty?

The fundamental surgical technique used for rhinoplasty is not different for women versus men—the open rhinoplasty approach will involve an incision placed across the columella, and closed rhinoplasty will be performed through incisions made within the nostrils. That being said, female and male rhinoplasties do often differ in regard to variances among common characteristics and cosmetic desires of both genders. For example, the female nasal bridge is typically narrower and less prominent in comparison to that of males who share the same ethnicity. In addition, the angle between the nose and upper lip is usually slightly greater for most women than it is for males.

It is important to note, however, that regardless of what is considered “normal” for male or female noses, rhinoplasty procedures performed at The Aesthetic Institute of Chicago will always be customized to meet each individual’s needs and desires.

How Can I Reduce Swelling After Rhinoplasty?

Swelling after nose surgery is a normal part of recovery as the body heals. Patients who undergo open rhinoplasty tend to experience prolonged swelling. To help control swelling in the initial recovery, you should rest in bed for the first 24 hours with your head elevated above your chest. Swelling typically begins to subside after the first week, with most of it fading over the next several weeks. To reduce the amount of swelling you experience, you should avoid overexerting yourself with strenuous activities, refrain from smoking, and avoid direct sunlight. Keep in mind that minor swelling can persist for several months before completely wearing off.

Is There a Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty Alternative?

If you are seeking rhinoplasty to improve nasal symmetry, add volume, or enhance the overall shape, you may be a good candidate for a “liquid nose job.” This is a non-surgical alternative that involves the use of dermal fillers to provide temporary improvement for a variety of concerns. From smoothing a bump on the bridge to increasing the size of the nasal tip, filler injections can add subtle volume to create a more balanced nose appearance. Those looking for more significant improvement, a size reduction, or to correct a deviated septum, however, are more appropriate for the rhinoplasty procedure.

When Can I Blow My Nose After Rhinoplasty?

After the procedure, it is imperative that you wait at least one to four weeks before blowing your nose. Otherwise, you risk developing a myriad of complications, such as disruption of the healing process, unwanted changes to the cosmetic effects, and even internal nasal damage. In the event you catch a cold or suffer from allergies in the weeks directly following your rhinoplasty, our surgeons can provide you with strategies for safely clearing your nasal passages.

How Long After Rhinoplasty Until I Can Wear Glasses?

Particularly if your rhinoplasty focuses primarily on the bridge of your nose, wearing glasses during your recovery can apply excessive pressure to the surgical site and potentially mar the results. In some cases, it may be safe to wear glasses over your splint during the initial recovery phase; however, please seek advice from our plastic surgery team beforehand. No reading glasses, sunglasses, or other types of glasses should be worn for at least six weeks after the splint is removed.

For more information about nose surgery or to schedule a consultation at our Chicago plastic surgery practice, please contact us via email or call (312) 361-8108 today.

Medical Resources 

¹National Institutes of Health – Rhinoplasty – StatPearls  
²American Society of Plastic Surgeons – How much does rhinoplasty cost?