Rhinoplasty FAQ
What can I expect from a nose shaping procedure?
Nose shaping can create and restore a desired shape to the nose. These changes can dramatically affect one’s self confidence. Additionally, if you suffer from structural nose problems that cause breathing or congestion difficulties, nose shaping can permanently correct this condition.
What are the different ways of approaching this procedure?
There are two methods of surgical nose shaping – open rhinoplasty and endonasal or “closed” rhinoplasty. In an open rhinoplasty procedure, a small incision is made in the columella (skin between the two nostrils) and continued to the inside of the nostril on each side. In an endonasal rhinoplasty, all of the incisions are made inside the nasal passages.
What kind of scarring is associated with a rhinoplasty?
Depending on the method preferred by your board certified plastic surgeon, you may or may not have any visible scars. An open rhinoplasty will leave a small scar on the outside of the nose but this is generally very difficult to identify after complete healing. An endonasal rhinoplasty procedure will leave no visible scars. Your surgeon may need to obtain cartilage from the ear or rib to use in the nose reshaping procedure. In this case, an additional scar will be present behind the ear or on the chest.
Why is chin augmentation frequently recommended with rhinoplasty?
Many patients who have a weak or receding chin will have a primary complaint of their nose being too large and desire nose reshaping surgery to reduce its size. The chin is a critical landmark for facial proportion and harmony and as such, a small chin can give the illusion of the nose being too large for a person’s face. In many cases, the ideal result comes with conservatively modifying both the nose and chin to balance the facial proportions.
