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CHICAGO NASAL RESHAPING (RHINOPLASTY)

Plastic surgeons usually recommend that patients wait until they are at least 14 or 15, and possibly older for boys, before undergoing rhinoplasty. This is because the nose may not be fully developed at a younger age. If you are a teen, your plastic surgeon will want to be certain that you have thought carefully about surgery and that the desire to change your appearance is based on your own feelings rather than those of your parents or friends.

Assuming you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for having your nose reshaped. Rhinoplasty is sometimes performed in conjunction with a facelift or other rejuvenate surgery to correct aging changes of the nose such as a drooping tip.

Sometimes certain breathing problems related to the internal nasal structures can be corrected at the same time as nose reshaping is performed. Your plastic surgeon will be able to help you determine whether these structures should be modified along with reshaping your nose.

Some of the indications that you may be a good candidate for nose surgery are:

  • Your nose appears too large for your face
  • There is a bump on the nasal bridge when viewed in profile
  • Your nose seems too wide when viewed from the front
  • the nasal tip droops or plunges
  • the tip is thickened or enlarged
  • your nostrils are excessively flared
  • your nose is off-center or crooked
  • previous injury has made your nose asymmetrical

It is important that you have a clear idea of how you would like your nose to look and, at the same time, realize that there are limitations to the procedure. Patients with sufficient physical and emotional maturity who undergo nose surgery because they want to enhance their self-image are usually very satisfied with their decision.

Your plastic surgeon can provide further information if you have an interest in any of these additional procedures.

Your Personal Chicago Rhinoplasty Consultation

During the initial consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

Non Surgical Rhinoplasty (aka Lunch Hour Nose Job)

There is an option for those seeking a non surgical approach for a rhinoplasty. Dubbed as the lunch hour nose job this method allows the patient to have this method done in office within one hour. No anesthesia and no incisions are used in this method. The results can last up to one year. This is a great option for someone not wanting surgery.

You should come to the Chicago rhinoplasty consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions you may have, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries including repair of nasal injuries, and medications that you currently take. Your plastic surgeon may also ask whether you have difficulty breathing through your nose, suffer from allergies that may cause nasal stuffiness, or are a chronic user of nasal spray. It is important for you to provide complete information.

In evaluating you for Chicago rhinoplasty, your plastic surgeon will conduct a routine and painless examination of your internal nasal structures. Your skin quality as well as the size and shape of your nose and its relationship to your other facial features will be carefully studied. In some instances, your plastic surgeon may recommend surgery of your chin, making it either more or less prominent, to improve facial balance. This procedure can be done at the same as your rhinoplasty

It is understandable that you would like to have information about the cost of surgery as soon as possible. Your plastic surgeon must first complete a thorough evaluation before your individualized surgical plan can be developed. Following this, the fees required for your surgery will be discussed with you. While most insurance plans will not pay for aesthetic nose reshaping, they frequently will cover surgery performed on the internal structures of the nose to improve breathing problems. Your plastic surgeon can discuss this with you at the same time of consultation.

How Nose Plastic Surgery is Performed

Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from nose plastic surgery. Your surgeon's goal is to obtain the best possible results for you.

Alterations may be made to increase or decrease the nasal bridge, reduce the size or width of the nose, narrow the nostrils, change the angle between the nose and upper lip, or reshape the tip. The surgical techniques employed will depend primarily on the goals established by you and your plastic surgeon. In many instances, all of the incisions will be placed inside your nose, where they will not be visible. If the base of the nose is narrowed or the nostrils reduced, small wedges of skin at the base of the nostrils will be removed. Incisions are hidden in the natural crease where the nostril joins the cheek.

Sometimes a very short incision is made across the vertical strip of tissue that separates the nostrils, called the columella. This technique is called an "open rhinoplasty." Whatever incisions are used to reshape your nose, they will ultimately be very inconspicuous.

Small wedges of skin, as shown, are removed to narrow the base of the nose or reduce the width of the nostrils.

Incisions are placed inside the nose to provide access to the cartilage (blue shaded area) and brown (light brown shaded area) that form the nasal framework.

Depending on the surgical technique used, a splint may be placed on the bridge of the nose for the purpose of holding the tissues in place until they have stabilized.

Through the small incisions described previously, work is done on the cartilage and bone that form the framework of your nose.

Sometimes, the position of certain bones may need to be altered slightly in order to make your nose look narrower and straighter. If your nose needs to be built up in some areas, this can be done using nasal cartilage, or perhaps bone or cartilage from another site. The skin and soft tissues then redrape themselves over this new "scaffolding."

Understanding Plastic Surgery Risks

Fortunately, significant complications from nose cosmetic surgery are infrequent. Every year, many thousands of people have their noses reshaped, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. Anyone considering surgery, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks

The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office.

Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection and reactions to anesthesia. Numbness of the skin following nose cosmetic surgery may occur but is usually temporary. Occasionally, if the surgical outcome needs further improvement, additional surgery may be necessary.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your surgery

Your Rhinoplasty Surgical Experience

The goal of your rhinoplasty surgeon and the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible

If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of rhinoplasty surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.

If your rhinoplasty surgery will be performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you at least the first night following surgery.


Your rhinoplasty may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing eyelid surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When rhinoplasty surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. There may be some discomfort, but this can be controlled by medication which you may continue taking at home. Depending on the surgical technique used, a splint may have been placed on the bridge of your nose for the purpose of holding the tissues in place until they have stabilized. The splint will protect your nose while you sleep and shield it from accidental bumps. Frequently, you may also have a small triangular bandage beneath the tip of your nose. Packing or soft internal splints are sometimes used inside the nostrils, especially if work has been done to improve your breathing.

You probably will be permitted to go home after a few hours, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.

It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals. The first couple of days after rhinoplasty surgery, you should restrict your activities and sleep with your head elevated. This will help to minimize swelling and reduce the possibility of minor bleeding, which is not uncommon. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-flammatory medications.

Generally, bruising around the eyes and cheeks is most apparent during the first three days following surgery. Most discoloration will disappear within a week. A few days after surgery, you can begin to use makeup as a concealer, if desired. Noticeable swelling may last for several weeks. Minor residual swelling, most frequently affecting the nasal tip, may continue for many months, but generally this should not be apparent to others. If packing was used, it will either dissolve by itself or be removed three to seven days after surgery. Stitches may also be removed at that time. You may need to continue wearing the nasal splint for up to a week, during which time you should avoid getting it wet.

Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you may be able to return to work within a week or ten days after surgery. Most normal activities including exercise can usually be resumed within three weeks.

It will be a few months before you can expose your reshaped nose to direct sunlight. Your nose will be sensitive during this time, and you must be conscientious about using a sunblock to protect your skin. If the bones of your nose were altered, it may be a number of weeks before you can wear glasses without special support such as tape.

The goal of rhinoplasty is a nose that looks natural and blends harmoniously with your other facial features. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait up to one year to see the final result. You are likely, however, to begin enjoying your new look within weeks of your surgery.

Occasionally, a touchup may be desired to further improve the rhinoplasty results. If this is the case, the additional procedure is usually less extensive than the original operation

In most instances, the results of rhinoplasty are permanent, except for possible changes associated with the normal aging process

Post Surgical Care

While recovering from nose surgery, and to maintain the results of the procedure, you can use certain clinical skin care products. Dr. Speron recommends neaclearplus Liquid Oxygen Sun Block Protection to aid in the maintenance of post surgical results. 

Neaclearplus Liquid Oxygen Sun Block Protection

  • Prevents sun damage and the increase of fine lines on the face
  • Protects against harmful UV rays that cause skin cancer
  • Smoothes the skin to maintain youthful post-surgical results

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Rhinoplasty Surgeon

You will return to your rhinoplasty surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated. Your rhinoplasty surgeon will encourage you to schedule routine follow-up evaluations at the frequency recommended for your age group and the procedure performed.

Please remember that the relationship with your rhinoplasty surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.

Critical-Questions

By Dr. SAM SPERON

When I first published The 7 Critical Questions to Ask Before Letting Any Surgeon Touch You, I had no idea that it would be so popularly received. Since its publication, this brief guide has helped thousands like you to more safely navigate the world of cosmetic surgery. The 7 Questions have been updated and a bonus section, Applying the 7 Questions, has just been added. Be my guest to read, learn and share.