Rhinoplasty

What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes or reconstructs the nose. It’s one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States.

During a rhinoplasty, your plastic surgeon at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island reshapes, reduces, or augments your nose to improve facial symmetry and appearance, as well as structure and function.

What can rhinoplasty fix?

A rhinoplasty can fix both aesthetic and medical issues involving your nose. You may choose to have rhinoplasty to:

• Remove the hump on your nose
• Modify the bridge of your nose
• Reshape the tip of your nose
• Change the shape or size your nostrils
• Increase or decrease the size of your nose

The Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island team also performs reconstructive rhinoplasty to correct congenital abnormalities or traumatic injuries. 

During a rhinoplasty, the team may also fix a deviated septum (cartilage that separates the nostrils) to improve breathing and symmetry.

What happens during rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure that takes up to two hours. The team at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island uses general anesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation during surgery. 

Your plastic surgeon customizes your rhinoplasty procedure to match your aesthetic needs and goals. They may use an open or closed technique.

Open rhinoplasty

For an open rhinoplasty, your surgeon makes an incision in the tissue that separates your two nostrils.

Closed rhinoplasty

During a closed rhinoplasty, your surgeon makes the incision inside your nose. 

After the incision, your surgeon lifts the tissue and reshapes or augments the bone and cartilage to create the desired look. 

The Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island team also offers a liquid rhinoplasty, which is a nonsurgical procedure that uses fillers to change the shape of your nose. The results are instant, but temporary.

What is recovery from rhinoplasty like?

Recovery from rhinoplasty varies. However, you can expect bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes immediately following the procedure. Splints and packing material stay in your nose during the first few days.

Most patients resume regular activities about a week after their rhinoplasty surgery. Though you may notice improvements in the look of your nose right away, it takes about a year for all the swelling to go down and for you to see the final results.

The Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island team are experts at rhinoplasty and can provide natural, long-lasting results. Call or schedule a consultation online today.