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.

Am I a good candidate for nose surgery?

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.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for rhinoplasty?
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

When will I learn about the cost of surgery?
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.

Where are the nose plastic surgery incisions placed?
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.

Results of Your Rhinoplasty
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.

How long will the results last?
In most instances, the results of rhinoplasty are permanent, except for possible changes associated with the normal aging process.