Rhinoplasty is the name given to the operation whose purpose is to correct deformities of the nose. The operation consists of removing any excess bone or cartilage and rearranging and reshaping the nose. Most rhinoplasties are performed because the patient desires an improvement in appearance; he or she may simply want a nose that is in harmony with the rest of the face. On the other hand, one may be motivated by economic or career considerations as is the case of models actresses, etc. Or, it may be, as if often the case, that the nose is becoming progressively more disfigured the older the patient becomes until breathing difficulty occurs. Patients may have deformities of the inside of the nose which impair breathing, cause headaches or sinus trouble and cannot be satisfactorily corrected without simultaneously straightening the external nose.

Prior to surgery, photographs are taken in order to study the nose and face, as well as plan the operation, in much the same way an architect plans a house. The object is to not only improve the shape of the nose, but also the appearance of the entire face. Part of this planning consists of drawing sketches of the general type of the nose the physician will try to attain and performing computer generated pre-op and post-op pictures. It is emphasized that the sketch is only an ideal, which he is trying to achieve. He cannot guarantee to duplicate the ideal exactly because of the limitations inherent in surgery; as a matter of fact, no ethical physician can “guarantee” the result of any treatment.

Q&A

If I have difficulty breathing through one side of my nose, and have been told that I have a deviated septum, can rhinoplasty be done at the same time as septal repair?
Most often, external deformities of the nose also have internal deformities, and the procedures are done together.

Does insurance cover rhinoplasty?
As is sometimes the case, cosmetic deformities cause by an accident are covered by insurance. Also, if there is a deviated septum causing nasal obstruction, a portion of the procedure may be covered.

Is there generally significant pain following the procedure?
Although pain medication is prescribed, very few patients require it. There is commonly anxiety associated with the removal of the nasal packing following surgery; however, most patients have little to no pain as it only lasts a few seconds.