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Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)
 Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery (“nose job”), is one of the most common and challenging plastic surgery procedures performed today. It can reshape, reduce or augment a person’s nose to achieve facial harmony and boost self-confidence. It may be performed as a reconstructive procedure to correct a birth defect or an injury such as a broken nose.
Rhinoplasty may be performed for functional rather than cosmetic reasons as well. Combining nose reshaping with septoplasty can effectively treat certain breathing problems, such as those caused by a deviated septum.
In addition, Dr. Ghavami specializes in ethnic (Hispanic, Middle Eastern , African-American, and Asian) rhinoplasty, difficult rhinoplasty, reconstructive rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and secondary rhinoplasty. We offer complex revisional surgery also. This often includes taking cartilage from other sources than the nose to rebuild the nose when too much cartilage has been taken away.
Very few Plastic Surgeons specialize in rhinoplasty in addition to other plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Ghavami has published numerous textbook chapters and articles on rhinoplasty. In addition, he is on faculty at the Annual Dallas Rhinoplasty Symposium and the Pan-Pacific Surgical Association (Hawaii Plastic Surgery Symposium).
Please visit our PHOTO GALLERY to view our natural and beautiful results. Many more patient examples are also available to view in the office during your complimentary consultation.
Lastly, many of Dr. Ghavami’s expert textbook chapters and articles are shown in our news and articles section.
What can rhinoplasty do for me?
Rhinoplasty is an excellent procedure for achieving the following:
- Naturally balance the size of the nose with the other facial features
- Modify the width of the nose at the bridge and at the nostrils
- Improve the nasal profile, including removing humps or depressions
- Contour a nasal tip that is too large, "boxy," bulbous, drooping or upturned
- Change the angle between the nose and the mouth
- Narrow and reshape the nostrils
- Correct asymmetry, deviation, or midvault collapsed noses
Am I a good candidate for rhinoplasty?
The best candidates for rhinoplasty:
- Are at least 13 years old;
- Have finished facial growth;
- Are generally healthy;
- Do not smoke;
- Are seeking rhinoplasty for personal reasons, not pressure from others; and
- Have realistic goals for the procedure.
Patient Example 1: Dorsal Hump and Bulbous Nasal Tip
This patients bony and cartilage hump was trimmed down, her tip was shaped and the balance between her bridge and tip was smoothed out which brought out her other beautiful facial features. Notice how her eyes and lips look fuller.
Patient Example 2
An example of a patient with attractive features who required major tip shaping and elevation as well as narrowing of her bridge and hump. Many websites do not show the front view of their patients. While many surgeons can remove a hump, the finesse involved in nose shaping can only be truly judged on front view.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for rhinoplasty?
The best candidates for rhinoplasty:
- Are at least 13 years old;
- Have finished facial growth;
- Are generally healthy;
- Are seeking rhinoplasty for personal reasons, not pressure from others; and
- Have realistic goals for the procedure.
- Are realistic about the results achievable and that blend with other facial features
How is the procedure performed?
Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia.
Surgeons use one of two techniques when performing nose surgery. In a closed rhinoplasty, incisions are made within the nostrils only. In an open rhinoplasty, the incision is made across the columella, the tissue between the nostrils. With both methods, Dr. Ghavami gently lifts the soft tissues covering the nose. He or she sculpts the bone and cartilage to the desired shape. Any additional cartilage needed to augment the nose can often be taken from the septum or in revision rhinoplasty, from the ear or ribs.
If the patient has a deviated septum, Dr. Ghavami will alter the septum and the inner structures of the nose to improve your breathing. This can include a “turbinectomy.” Then the tissues are re-draped and stitched closed. If the patient desires nostril reshaping, this is done as one of the last steps of rhinoplasty.
The entire procedure generally lasts one to two hours.
Patient Example 3
A very wide tip and large nostril base. This type of ethnic nose requires understanding of what "ethnicity" is and how a nose can be re-shaped without changing a person's ethnic features. Major tip modification with multiple cartilage grafts were needed
Patient Example 4
An extreme makeover of a Hispanic nose with no shape or characteristic shadows, angles, or highlights. Lip enhancement was also accomplished with Juvederm.
Patient Example 5: Wide Nose with Thick Skin
This patient is very different from the first. She has thick skin, poor cartage framework, and wide nostrils. Her nasal bridge did not require hump removal like the last.
AS WITH MOST OF Dr. GHAVAMI’s RESULTS, YOU CAN COVER THE PRE-OP VIEW AND ONLY LOOK AT THE POST-OP AND NOT KNOW THAT THIS WAS A NOSE THAT HAD SURGERY. “NATURAL” is CENTRAL TO OUR PHILOSOPHY.
What is the recovery from nose surgery like?
For a short time after surgery, patients may experience puffiness, nose ache or a dull headache, some swelling and bruising, bleeding or stuffiness. Most patients feel like themselves within two days and return to work in about a week.
The results of rhinoplasty become gradually apparent as the days pass after surgery and swelling recedes. Swelling may reappear from time to time in the first year after the procedure. It is typically more noticeable in the morning and fades during the day.
Contact lenses can be worn immediately, but glasses may need to be taped to your forehead or propped on your cheeks for up to seven weeks.
Dr. Ghavami will show you how to tape and massage your nose after surgery to improve your results.
How do I discuss with Dr. Ghavami the results I am looking for?
Patients with realistic goals for rhinoplasty are generally very happy with the new shape of their nose. Your profile photo will be emailed to you and you and Dr. Ghavami will drawing out the appropriate profile curve of your bridge that is best for your facial balance.
Dr. Ghavami also spends a lot of time and energy to make sure your nose matches your ethnicity and is a key part of his lectures to other plastic surgeons. Occasionally, a more dramatic “designer nose” can be sculpted for you as well. Dr. Ghavami spends lots of time with you during your initial consultation so that you are both on the same page with what results are best. Final results depend on the patient’s nasal bone and cartilage structure, facial shape, skin thickness and age.
What are the possible risks of rhinoplasty?
Complications are rare and, when they occur, minor. These may include infection, nosebleed, or shifting of cartilage shape over time. Much of your long term final nasal shape is based on how well you skin hugs or sticks to the beautiful framework that Dr. Ghavami has sculpted for you.
Does insurance cover rhinoplasty?
Insurance may cover rhinoplasty if it is done for reconstructive or medical reasons, but likely not for cosmetic purposes. However, if there are breathing problems, sometimes pary of the surgery may be covered.
What is revision rhinoplasty?
Revision or secondary rhinoplasty corrects deformities caused by a previous operation on the nose. It is a more difficult procedure to perform than primary rhinoplasty because there is less cartilage to work with and there may be scarring or skin ad soft tissue contracture (tightening). However, Dr. Ghavami is an experienced nasal surgeon and skilled in both primary and secondary (revision) rhinoplasty which can improve both the appearance and the function of the nose after it has been damaged or deformed. Revision rhinoplasty often requires more time and therefore can be a little more expensive.
Dr. Ghavami is a Rhinoplasty expert on RealSelf.com.
Read Dr. Ghavami’s answers to real patient questions about Rhinoplasty.
- BOTOX® and Fillers (see "Skin" section)
- Migraine Headaches - BOTOX® and Surgical Treatments
- Facial Shaping & Contouring
- Eyelid Rejuvenation (Non-surgical)
- Asian Eyelid Surgery
- Endoscopic Facelift
- Face and/or Neck Liposuction
- Nose Surgery
- Rhinoplasty (Corrective or Revision)
- Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
- "Designer" Nose Surgery
- Ethnic Rhinoplasty"(Hispanic, African American, Middle Eastern, and Asian Noses)"
- Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Cheek and other Facial Implants
- Earlobe Repair
- Earlobe Contouring
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