Rhinoplasty

What is Recovery from Rhinoplasty Like?

Patients usually remain in the recovery area for a period of time after surgery to ensure no bleeding occurs and the effects of the anesthesia wear off properly. After this period of observation, patients are allowed to continue their recovery in the comfort of their own homes. Swelling is a normal reaction to surgery and should improve as the nose continues to heal. It can take up to one year for all inflammation to fully resolve, although the majority of swelling typically subsides within the first few months after your procedure. Dr. Leber will provide comprehensive post-operative care instructions at the time of surgery, which will include recovery tips such as:

• Walking short distances around the house and ambulating as soon as you are comfortable doing so
• Keeping the head elevated above chest level when sleeping and resting
• Using ice packs and oral pain medication when necessary to manage discomfort

Patients can generally return to work and their normal routines within one week, provided that they avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity. If your work responsibilities involve demanding physical labor, you may require a relatively longer period of absence from work. Dr. Leber will inform you when it is safe to exercise again based on your unique rate of healing.

Will I Have Noticeable Rhinoplasty Scars?

While every surgical procedure leaves scars, patients usually do not have visible scarring after rhinoplasty. Incisions are skillfully placed either inside the nose or within the natural crease of the columella — the specific technique depends on the type of rhinoplasty procedure most beneficial for your needs. In both cases, scars are very discreetly and inconspicuously placed in areas not easily detectable to outside observers. To further improve the appearance of any scarring, patients should carefully follow Dr. Leber’s post-operative instructions to help ensure a smooth recovery — particularly his recommendations on proper wound care. More often than not, an optimal healing process can increase the chances of scars fading to some extent after surgery. Brightening creams can also be applied to help encourage the lightening of scars over time.

Is a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty Possible?

Since rhinoplasty is designed to reconstruct structures within the nasal framework, there is currently no non-surgical treatment that can address the same scope of aesthetic concerns, nor achieve the same quality of results, as nose surgery. However, if you would rather avoid surgery, certain dermal fillers—such as JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®—can be combined to fill humps in the nasal bridge and recontour some aspects of the nose shape. Referred to as a “liquid rhinoplasty,” this minimally invasive technique can enhance the nose without the need for extensive recovery time. While the outcome will be temporary, dermal fillers may be an effective solution to improve the appearance of the nose before weddings, events, or other special occasions. If you’re interested in learning more about a liquid rhinoplasty, Dr. Leber can determine whether dermal fillers can effectively address your concerns in a consultation.

Can Rhinoplasty Improve Breathing?

Yes, rhinoplasty is often able to address concerns related to breathing difficulties. While many patients elect to undergo nose surgery for cosmetic reasons, the ability to enhance breathing and increase airflow for blocked airways are some of the major motivations behind patients’ decisions to pursue rhinoplasty. If you have a deviated (crooked) septum or other structural irregularities potentially causing an obstruction, Dr. Leber can examine the state of your nasal framework to determine whether rhinoplasty is the right treatment to correct the problem. Discussing your concerns and/or symptoms with a board-certified plastic surgeon is essential to developing the best treatment plan to achieve your goals. As an adjunctive benefit, individuals who are interested in rhinoplasty to improve their breathing can also recontour their nose aesthetically if desired. This can potentially achieve functional and cosmetic benefits during one procedure and recovery period.

Is Rhinoplasty Safe?

Similar to all procedures, rhinoplasty is only as safe as the quality and experience of the plastic surgeon performing surgery. When you’re under the care of a skilled aesthetic plastic surgeon accredited by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), rhinoplasty is considered a safe cosmetic procedure that has the potential to be life-changing. You can help protect your safety, health, and appearance by carefully researching your plastic surgeon and asking them how often they perform rhinoplasty each year. Dr. Leber is not only board-certified by the ABPS, but he is also one of few plastic surgeons in the country who has received fellowship training in Beverly Hills exclusively focusing on aesthetic procedures. When researching the right plastic surgeon to achieve your goals, be sure to choose someone who diligently reviews the benefits, limitations, and risks of rhinoplasty with you so you have the information to make an educated decision.

Additional Rhinoplasty FAQs

Is male rhinoplasty different from female rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty itself is performed according to a patient’s unique needs, concerns, goals, and nasal framework. Although there are certain differences in the ideals of beauty and anatomical features (skin thickness, height of nasal bridge, etc.) between men and women, cosmetic nose surgery is still essentially performed using the open and closed techniques. The structural distinctions between a male and female nose may influence your procedure, but rhinoplasty usually has the same goals for all genders—to improve facial balance according to your natural characteristics and/or make it easier to breathe.

What is the difference between septoplasty and rhinoplasty?

Septoplasty is performed to alleviate functional concerns, such as difficulty breathing, while rhinoplasty is meant to address issues that are more cosmetic in nature. Septoplasty specifically aims to straighten a crooked septum, which is the strip of bone and cartilage that separates your nostrils. A crooked, or deviated, septum is very common and may restrict airflow to varying degrees. When septum asymmetry is severe, it can even prevent easy breathing on an entire side of the nose. For this reason, some individuals undergo septoplasty to reposition the septum to the middle of the nose and improve airflow.

Does insurance cover rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that is not usually covered by medical insurance policies. However, we do accept financing from CareCredit® and Prosper® Healthcare Lending. These companies offer qualified patients low- to no-interest financing plans to make their rhinoplasty expenses more manageable.

What are the risks of rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty involves the inherent risks that are present with any type of surgery, such as anesthesia complications, infection, poor wound healing, and unfavorable scarring. Potential negative outcomes that are unique to nose surgery include the possibility of nasal perforation, changes in skin sensation, and breathing problems, which are complications that may require revision rhinoplasty to resolve. These risks are very rare as long as patients select a well-qualified plastic surgeon to properly assess their candidacy and perform their procedure.

How long will I have to wear a rhinoplasty splint?

You should wear a nasal splint for at least one week after your procedure depending on which concerns were corrected during rhinoplasty. This is necessary to help protect and support your new nose contours while they heal into place. Dr. Leber does not typically pack the nose after a rhinoplasty procedure, therefore nasal breathing is possible immediately after surgery. No pressure should be placed on the nasal bridge during recovery, therefore patients who wear glasses should switch to contacts until the majority of healing has been completed.