Am I a Good Candidate for a Rhinoplasty?

For some people, their nose is a source of distress or embarrassment. An overly large or crooked nose can significantly affect a person’s overall appearance and lower their confidence. If you don’t like the nose you see in the mirror, you may be a candidate for rhinoplasty at Specialty Aesthetic Surgery.

What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that is performed to alter the shape and size of the nose. It can be done for cosmetic reasons to improve the appearance of the nose or for medical reasons to correct breathing difficulties or defects caused by trauma or a congenital abnormality. Rhinoplasty involves reshaping the bone and cartilage of the nose to achieve a more optimal look.

While our nose may seem like an insignificant thing to many of us, for some, it is a daily cause of frustration that distracts from the rest of their appearance. Rhinoplasty has a high satisfaction rate, with 91% of patients rating the procedure as “worth it” in a national survey. If your nose gets in the way of your confidence, rhinoplasty might be the answer!

Am I a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Before undergoing rhinoplasty, it is essential to have realistic expectations and understand the potential risks and benefits of the procedure. At Specialty Aesthetic Surgery, we perform ethnic rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and nasal fracture repair procedures depending on your needs. Ideal candidates for rhinoplasty are:

Overall Healthy

Before undergoing the procedure, it is important to be in good overall health to minimize the risk of complications. If you have a medical condition, be sure to discuss it with our surgeons to determine if you are eligible for rhinoplasty. Smoking also interferes with healing, so the best candidates are non-smokers.

Have Fully Developed Facial Features

Your nose must be fully developed before you undergo rhinoplasty. A nose job is best for adult patients since the nose continues to grow and change during adolescence, and it is important to wait until the facial features are fully mature before undergoing the procedure. For women, the nose is finished developing around the age of 15 or 16, while for men, it is around the age of 17 or 18.

Have Realistic Expectations

Finally, candidates for rhinoplasty should have realistic expectations and a positive outlook. Undergoing a cosmetic procedure should be a choice to achieve your own aesthetic goals and not to fulfill anyone else’s expectations.

What Can Rhinoplasty Treat?

Rhinoplasty is a versatile surgical procedure that can address a variety of concerns related to the nose. While some patients choose to undergo rhinoplasty for purely cosmetic reasons, others may have functional issues that need to be addressed. Some of the conditions and concerns that rhinoplasty can treat include:

Nasal deformities, such as a crooked or misshapen nose
An overly large nose
Breathing difficulties
Deviated septum
Narrow nasal passage
Congenital abnormalities
Trauma or injury to the nose

Rhinoplasty Procedure

The rhinoplasty procedure involves several steps. First, your surgeon will make incisions either inside the nostrils or on the outside of the nose. They will then reshape the bone and cartilage of the nose to achieve the desired look. Once the reshaping is complete, the incisions will be closed with sutures, and splints will be placed inside and outside the nose to ensure proper healing.

The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia and may take a few hours to complete. A friend or family member can drive you home the same day.

How Long is Recovery From Rhinoplasty?

Recovery from rhinoplasty can take several weeks. Patients may experience swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes, and it may be difficult to breathe through the nose for a few days. Dressings, splints, and sutures are usually removed a week after the procedure.

Most patients are able to return to work or school within a week of the procedure but should avoid strenuous activity for at least three weeks. It is important to follow the post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon to ensure proper healing. We will instruct you on icing the area to reduce swelling and applying ointment to the suture lines.

When Will I See Rhinoplasty Results?

Patients who undergo rhinoplasty should know that while they may not see the visible results immediately after the procedure, the changes will gradually become more apparent over the following months as your nose heals. Some noticeable changes may be apparent right away, such as the removal of a bump or a straighter nose, but full rhinoplasty results may take several months to appear.

It is important to remain optimistic throughout the healing process. Once the swelling subsides completely, you’ll enjoy permanent results from rhinoplasty.

Take the Next Step – Request a Consultation

Want to learn more about facelifts? Schedule your consultation online or by calling Specialty Aesthetic Surgery at (212) 737-8700. We look forward to working with you!

Specialty Aesthetic Surgery serves the greater NYC metro area.

About Our Surgeons

Bruce Moskowitz is an experienced oculoplastic surgeon. His practice encompasses all areas of oculoplastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He has a well-known reputation for revision surgery, and a large portion of his practice comes from other colleagues to revise sub-optimal outcomes.

Grigoriy Mashkevich is an experienced and double-board certified facial plastic surgeon. He belongs to a highly select group of surgeons with a focused specialization in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the nose, face, and neck.

Dr. Anna Frants is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who is experienced in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Her areas of surgical specialty include the face, neck, nose, eyelids, eyebrows, and ears.

*Individual results may vary.