Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty Candidacy

Rhinoplasty can be performed on men and women of almost any age. However, it’s usually recommended that young people wait until facial growth is complete – about age 15 or 16 for girls and 17 or 18 for boys. If you are a teenager, having the procedure should be your own idea. Additionally, as long as you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for nose reshaping.

You may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty if you have any of the following conditions:

• Your nose appears too large for your face
• There is a bump or depression on the nasal bridge when viewed in profile
• The nose seems to wide when viewed from the front
• The nasal tip droops or plunges
• The tip is thickened or enlarged
• The nostrils are excessively flared
• Your nose is off-center or crooked
• A previous injury has made your nose asymmetrical
• You have an airway obstruction that impairs breathing

Consultation: What to Expect

A personal consultation is the first step. Dr. Ereso will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific cosmetic goals for rhinoplasty surgery.

You should arrive at the consultation prepared to provide complete information about:

• Previous surgeries
• Past and present medical conditions
• Treatments you have received
• Medications that you are taking, including nutritional supplements and herbal remedies

At our plastic surgery center in Mountain View, we utilize state-of-the-art technology in all cosmetic procedures, which aids the doctor’s accuracy and guarantees you receive the results you have envisioned. At your initial visit, Computerized Imaging will be performed, allowing you and Dr. Ereso to preview potential changes to the appearance of your nose. Computer imaging has been an invaluable communication tool in helping you to achieve your desired result. Occasionally Dr. Ereso will recommend the addition of a chin implant or cheek implants to give you a more balanced facial appearance.

Preparation for Nose Surgery

Preparing for rhinoplasty could require undergoing lab testing for blood work, or obtaining a clean bill of health from your primary doctor (depending on your age and health status). Dr. Ereso will also review your medications, vitamins and supplements and recommend whether you should discontinue or adjust anything.

Other steps you should take prior to rhinoplasty are to watch your diet and not smoke or drink alcohol. Eating lean protein and fresh fruits and vegetables fuels your body prior to surgery, whereas tobacco products and alcohol can interfere with your recovery.

Also, Dr. Ereso encourages you to make arrangements for your day of surgery and recovery period. Plan for someone to transport you to and from surgery and stay with you for a few days to help with meal preparations, laundry and other household responsibilities. If you have children, pets or elderly family members who rely on you, recruit help from another adult. Fill your prescriptions ahead of time, grocery shop and do laundry so you have all of your essentials at the ready.

Rhinoplasty Procedure Details

Reshaping generally is done through incisions inside your nose. In some instances, there may also be an incision on the underside of your nose between your nostrils. If the base of your nose will be narrowed or the flare of your nostrils will be reduced, this can be done by removing small wedges of skin at the base of your nostrils. The resulting scar will fade and ultimately should be barely visible. Your nose can be reduced, or built-up, by removing or adding bone and cartilage to the support structures. Your skin and soft tissues will assume their new shape over this “scaffolding.”

Rhinoplasty Recovery

After surgery, some discomfort, swelling, and bruising can be expected. You will have nasal packing for 2-3 days and a plaster splint for 3-5 days. Frequently, our rhinoplasty surgeon will give you instructions for taping your nose at night for 2-3 weeks to decrease swelling. You can begin wearing cosmetics as soon as it is removed. Your routine will be severely restricted for only a day or two, but it will be a few weeks before you can resume bending, lifting, and exercise. As long as your job does not involve activities that raise your blood pressure, you should be able to return to work within 5-10 days. Minor swelling of your nose may persist for up to a year, but most likely this will not be noticeable to others. The final results of rhinoplasty are permanent and well worth the wait.

Avoid straining, bending and lifting during the early postoperative period. You may resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less.

RISKS/SAFETY

Long-term complications from rhinoplasty are very unlikely. But as an informed patient, you should be familiar with the possible risks, including the following:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• An overcorrected or under-corrected nose
• Breathing challenges
• Poor wound healing that leads to bad scarring

COMPLEMENTARY COSMETIC PROCEDURES

The decision to complement a nose job with other procedures depends on your individual anatomy and ultimate cosmetic goals. Some patients choose to pair rhinoplasty with chin reduction or chin augmentation to improve the balance between the chin and nose.

Another common choice is to pair rhinoplasty with ear surgery to address prominent ears. Dr. Ereso can provide personalized recommendations at the time of your consultation, if you are interested.

Rhinoplasty Costs & Financing

Pricing for rhinoplasty at our practice usually begins at $8,500. With this in mind, the final cost will vary depending on the scope of the treatment plan. Dr. Ereso strives to keep costs competitive, and CareCredit financing is available to break the cost of treatment into affordable increments. Contact us for more information about rhinoplasty costs and financing.

To set up a rhinoplasty consultation, San Jose Bay Area residents can contact our private plastic surgery practice located in Mountain View.