Rhinoplasty is a surgical approach to change nasal form or function. Candidates include healthy adults and older adolescents after facial growth. Procedures may be open or closed and often combine functional repairs. Recovery involves weeks of visible healing and up to a year for final refinement. Costs and anesthesia vary; insurance may cover functional surgery. Choose a board-certified, experienced surgeon and review realistic expectations and risks before proceeding.

What rhinoplasty does

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to change the shape or function of the nose. Patients seek it to refine size or tip shape, narrow the nostrils, change the angle between the nose and lip, correct birth differences, repair injury, or improve breathing. Non-surgical options such as temporary dermal fillers can address minor contour concerns but do not correct structural breathing problems.

Who is a candidate

Adults in good health who want a predictable improvement in nasal form or function are typical candidates. Surgeons generally wait until facial growth is complete - often in the mid-teens for girls and the late teens for boys - before operating on adolescents. A thorough consultation includes goals, medical history, nasal examination, photos, and discussion of realistic expectations.

Types of procedures and anesthesia

Rhinoplasty can be performed as an open procedure (small incision at the columella) or closed procedure (incisions inside the nostrils). Surgeons may also graft cartilage to support structure. Procedures addressing breathing problems (septoplasty or turbinate reduction) are often combined.

Most rhinoplasties use general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthetic. The choice depends on the surgeon's technique and the procedure's complexity.

Recovery and results

Expect bruising and swelling for the first week or two. Many patients return to non-strenuous work within 1-2 weeks once visible bruising and most swelling have improved. Light exercise can usually resume after several weeks; contact sports should be avoided longer. The nose continues to refine over months; subtle changes can take up to a year or more to fully settle.

Pain is typically manageable with prescribed or over-the-counter medications. Surgeons provide detailed postoperative instructions to reduce swelling and protect results.

Choosing a surgeon and cost considerations

Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty. Professional organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery maintain directories to help you find qualified specialists. Verify credentials, review before-and-after photos, and ask about revision rates and anesthesia and facility fees.

Costs vary widely by location, surgeon experience, and the complexity of the procedure. Functional procedures to improve breathing may be partially covered by insurance; cosmetic-only surgery is usually out-of-pocket. Confirm what the quoted price includes.

Risks and informed consent

Rhinoplasty carries risks common to surgery: bleeding, infection, anesthesia complications, and the need for revision. Scarring is usually minimal. A candid consultation should cover expected benefits, limitations, risks, and the recovery timeline.

Before deciding, gather information, view before-and-after cases from your surgeon, and make sure you understand the likely outcome and recovery requirements.

FAQs about Rhinoplasty

How long does it take to see final rhinoplasty results?
Swelling and contour refine over months; while most changes are visible within a few weeks, subtle refinement can continue for up to a year or longer.
Will rhinoplasty fix breathing problems?
Yes - when the surgery includes functional elements such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction, it can improve airflow. Make sure functional goals are discussed before surgery.
What is the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty?
Open rhinoplasty uses a small external incision on the columella for wider access; closed rhinoplasty uses only internal incisions. The choice depends on the surgeon's approach and case complexity.
Can teenagers get rhinoplasty?
Surgeons typically wait until facial growth is complete - often mid-teens for girls and late teens for boys - and evaluate each adolescent individually for maturity and medical readiness.
How much does rhinoplasty cost?
Costs vary by region, surgeon experience, and procedure complexity. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is usually out-of-pocket; functional procedures addressing breathing may be partially covered by insurance. Confirm which fees (surgeon, facility, anesthesia) are included in any estimate.

News about Rhinoplasty

Dr. Kirk Lozada's Insights on Why Rhinoplasty Should Never Depend on a Single Technique - PharmiWeb.com [Visit Site | Read More]

Sky News host Caleb Bond is shocked by the idea of nose jobs among “young girls”. - facebook.com [Visit Site | Read More]

Cosmetic surgery among U.S. men: A new era of self-enhancement - IslanderNews.com [Visit Site | Read More]

Comparative Evaluation of Open Versus Closed Rhinoplasty Techniques: A Prospective Clinical Study of Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes - Cureus [Visit Site | Read More]

Comparing the effect of pre-anesthesia clonidine and tranexamic acid on intraoperative bleeding volume in rhinoplasty: a machine learning approach - Nature [Visit Site | Read More]

The Rise of the Over-40 Nose Job - Allure [Visit Site | Read More]

Istanbul and the Global Demand for Rhinoplasty: A 2026 Overview - USA Today [Visit Site | Read More]

What Exactly Is the Liquid Rhinoplasty? And Would It Work for Me? - Vogue [Visit Site | Read More]