What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is nasal surgery performed to either improve the appearance of the nose, correct breathing obstruction, or achieve both at the same time. Rhinoplasty can be done to change the size, length or width of the nose; straighten a crooked nose; eliminate a bump or hump of the nasal bridge; or improve the overall symmetry of the nose. Your surgeon might remove cartilage or bone, or use cartilage grafts to reshape your nasal contours.
Types of Rhinoplasty
- Functional rhinoplasty corrects issues that make it hard for you to breathe through your nose — if your nasal passages are too narrow, for example, or if your nose was broken and healed crookedly. In many cases, correcting these problems is also an opportunity to reshape the way your nose looks.
- Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes the appearance of your nose by making it more symmetrical, fixing its proportions to better fit your face, straightening it, removing bumps, or changing the size or shape of your nostrils or the tip of your nose.
- Revision rhinoplasty fixes previous nose surgery if you weren't happy with the results.
- Ethnically sensitive rhinoplasty refines the shape of your nose while preserving features that characterize your ethnic identity. You'll enjoy an enhanced but still natural-looking result.
Most functional rhinoplasty is covered by insurance, while cosmetic rhinoplasty is not. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is usually recommended only after the nose has finished growing, which is typically age 14 to 15 for girls and a little older for boys.
If you have an issue with your nasal septum (the thin wall of bone and cartilage that separates the nostrils), a procedure called septoplasty can fix it without changing the appearance of your nose. If you need — or want — both procedures, it may be possible to have them at the same time.
Depending on your goals and anatomy, your surgeon may hide the surgical incisions inside the nose, or use a small incision through the skin between the nostrils. Rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia and doesn't require an overnight stay in the hospital.
Meet our rhinoplasty providers
How Rhinoplasty Works
Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia. Depending on your goals and the anatomy of your nose, your surgeon may perform a closed procedure with incisions hidden inside the nose, or an open procedure using a small incision through the skin between the nostrils.
The shape and structure of the nose is changed by removing cartilage or bone to create a smaller nose, or using cartilage grafts to reshape the nasal contour. The skin is then re-draped over the new structure and the incisions are closed with sutures. A splint or soft cast is often placed over the nose to protect it during the healing period.
How Long Does it Take to Recover From Rhinoplasty?
Most people return to work or school within one to two weeks after rhinoplasty, and it usually takes about two weeks for most of the swelling to subside — but as with every surgery, recovery is highly individual. During your consultation, your doctor will talk with you about what to expect.
RUSH Excellence in Rhinoplasty
- World-renowned surgeons: At RUSH, we have experienced rhinoplasty surgeons in both otorhinolaryngology/ENT and plastic surgery. All of our providers have extensive training and experience in these complex surgeries and are leaders in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
- National leaders in care: U.S. News & World Report ranked RUSHUniversity Medical Center's otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery program among the best in the nation, and our plastic and reconstructive surgeons are pioneers in new techniques that improve your comfort and results.
- A personalized approach: Your unique anatomy and your personal goals for your rhinoplasty drive your surgeon's approach. At RUSH, our surgeons are as skilled at listening as they are at surgery — so there's no such thing as a cookie-cutter nose job.
- Convenient care close to home: Our facial surgeons see patients at multiple locations, with hours that accommodate your busy schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhinoplasty
Facial growth and development should be complete and the nose fully formed before rhinoplasty can be safely performed. This is typically around age 14 for girls and 16 for boys.
Nonsurgical rhinoplasty, also called liquid rhinoplasty, involves using injectable fillers to make subtle changes to the nose. If major changes to the nasal structure are required, surgical rhinoplasty is the best option.
A deviated septum is when the cartilage that divides the nose into the left and right nasal passages is crooked. This can cause nasal congestion, breathing obstruction and blockage of airflow. A deviated septum can be corrected with a procedure called a septoplasty, which unlike rhinoplasty does not change the appearance of the nose. Sometimes these procedures are performed simultaneously to improve both breathing and appearance.
If you are unhappy with the result of your previous rhinoplasty or still have breathing issues, a revision rhinoplasty is possible. Every case is different; your surgeon will discuss limitations related to prior surgery — such as scar tissue or the need for cartilage grafting during revision procedures — at your consultation.
