Rhinoplasty FAQs

Following are the common questions about Rhinoplasty:

1. What is rhinoplasty?
2. What are the types of rhinoplasty?
3. What can rhinoplasty do?
4. Who can undergo rhinoplasty surgery?
5. What are the tests performed before rhinoplasty?
6. How is rhinoplasty performed?
7. Who performs a rhinoplasty?
8. What are the risks and complications of a nose job?
9. How much does rhinoplasty surgery cost?
10. Is rhinoplasty covered under health insurance?
11. Is it possible to perform rhinoplasty multiple times?
12. Is there any non-surgical method to enhance the shape of the nose?
13. How long does it take to recover after a nose job?
14. When do rhinoplasty results become visible?
15. What precautions should be taken after rhinoplasty to get the best results?

Q. What is rhinoplasty?

A. Rhinoplasty, also known as nose job is a procedure that is performed to change the shape of the nose and improve its appearance and function altogether. The procedure significantly alters and reconstructs the nose efficiently. The nose consists of bone and cartilage and rhinoplasty can change both these things along with the skin as required.

Q. What are the types of rhinoplasty?

A. There are two types of rhinoplasty surgery-

• Open rhinoplasty which is performed through columella. It is a highly invasive technique that provides maximum access to the internal components of the nose.
• Closed rhinoplasty which is performed by making incisions inside the nose. It is a minimally invasive procedure that allows the surgeon to reshape the nose without causing visible scarring. It is usually preferred when minute changes are required.

Q. What can rhinoplasty do?

A. A rhinoplasty is usually performed to achieve any or a combination of the following things-

• To remove the hump on the nose
• To straighten out the bridge
• To reshape the nose tip
• To increase or decrease the size of the nostrils
• To correct the nose after injury
• To resolve breathing issues and open the breathing passages
• To make the nose bigger or smaller as desired

Many people misunderstand that rhinoplasty is only done for cosmetic reasons. But it can also be done for medical reasons.

Q. Who can undergo rhinoplasty surgery?

A. A person is considered a good candidate for rhinoplasty if he/she meets the following criteria-

• You are overall healthy with no serious medical conditions or illnesses that can impair healing.
• You should not have a habit of smoking.
• You have realistic goals from the procedure.

The doctor will try to understand the patient’s reason to undergo rhinoplasty as well to determine if it is the right procedure that can help to achieve their specific goals.

Q. What are the tests performed before rhinoplasty?

A. Before rhinoplasty, the surgeon takes multiple images of the nose through different angles to analyze what kind of changes can be done with rhinoplasty. Other than that, the following tests will be performed-

• Blood test to see if the patient has anemia, blood clotting disorder, or any other condition that can impair the results of the surgery.
• Hepatitis and HIV screening is also done through blood sample.
• Electrocardiography (ECG) is also done to analyze the heart function and to check whether the patient will be able to handle the stress caused by the surgery or not.
• CT scan is also done to diagnose sinusoidal infection, polyp, or deviated septum.

If any nose problem exists in the patient before rhinoplasty, then these are treated alongside during the procedure.

Q. How is rhinoplasty performed?

A. Depending on the technique chosen for rhinoplasty, the exact steps of the procedure may vary. Overall, the steps involve-

• Local or general anesthesia is given to numb the patient’s body. The facial region will mostly become numb and the patient will be unconscious during the surgery.
• An incision is made inside the nose in closed surgery or across the columella in open surgery. The skin that covers the nasal bone and cartilage is raised so that the surgeon can access the internal structure and reshape them.
• The surgeon will make the required changes in the nose and correct other nasal problems as well, if any.
• Once the nose is sculpted as expected, the surgeon will confirm if additional adjustments are required.
• The incisions are closed properly and a splint or gauze is placed inside the nose for internal support.

When the surgery is complete, the patient will be transferred to the observation room and may get discharged on the same day if there are no complications.

Q. Who performs a rhinoplasty?

A. Rhinoplasty is usually performed by a plastic or cosmetic surgeon as it is a cosmetic procedure. ENT specialists can also perform rhinoplasty if correction of deviated septum is needed. However, generally, a plastic surgeon performs rhinoplasty with precision. In most cases, an ENT specialists is also present during the procedure for additional help to carry out the surgery safely.

Q. What are the risks and complications of a nose job?

A. Nose job or rhinoplasty is a complicated surgery which is why it has several risks. The potential complications that can arise during or after rhinoplasty are-

• Bleeding through the incisions
• Infection in the internal organs if they are exposed to the external contaminants
• Adverse reaction to the anesthetic agent
• Difficulty in breathing through the nose
• Permanent numbness in the nose and surrounding area
• Persistent swelling
• Uneven results and asymmetric nose
• Septal perforation may also occur
• Additional surgery may be needed

Q. How much does rhinoplasty surgery cost?

A. Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex plastic surgeries, which is why, it is slight expensive. The cost of the procedure ranges from Rs. 85,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 approximately. The overall price will also vary depending on the factors below-

• Technique used for rhinoplasty
• Surgeon's consultation and operating fee
• Diagnostic tests and evaluations
• Anesthesia fee
• Medications prescribed before and after the surgery
• Hospital admission, discharge, and bed charges
• Risks and complications
• Post-surgery care and support
• Follow-up consultations

All these factors are considered while calculating the final cost of treatment

Q. Is rhinoplasty covered under health insurance?

A. As rhinoplasty is performed for cosmetic reasons, the treatment expenses are not covered under insurance. The patient will have to pay for the surgery from his/her own pocket and bear the overall expenses.

However, there is one scenario in which the some part of the expenses may get covered by insurance. This is possible when the nose job addresses deviated septum as well and helps in improving the breathing functions. The procedure then becomes septorhinoplasty or rhinoseptoplasty (the terms are used interchangeably). The insurance company will clarify the aspects of treatment that will be covered under the insurance policy and how much amount of claim you can get against it.

Q. Is it possible to perform rhinoplasty multiple times?

A. There are usually no limitation on getting a nose job multiple times. Many people have had 2 or more revision rhinoplasties to achieve the desired results. However, there is a finite number of rhinoplasties that will provide effective results. Each additional nose job that you get will have additional complications and risks. Furthermore, there is a limit to the extent to which the nose's appearance can be enhanced or altered. That's why, plastic surgeons often refuse the treatment to patients who have had multiple nose jobs.

Q. Is there any non-surgical method to enhance the shape of the nose?

A. Yes. There is even a non-surgical rhinoplasty technique available that can help an individual to enhance the nose shape. It is called a liquid nose job and performed with the help of derma fillers. This technique is used to fill the depressed areas of the nose, to lift the tip, or to smoothen out the bumps and bridges on the nose.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty is like an augmentation procedure. Thus, it cannot help to reduce the size of the nose. Furthermore, the procedure also has several risks and complications. So, if you want to enhance the shape of your nose, you can most certainly undergo liquid rhinoplasty after having a detailed consultation with the doctor.

Q. How long does it take to recover after a nose job?

A. The recovery after rhinoplasty or nose job takes around an year. The external wound will heal within 3 to 6 weeks and the support devices will also be removed after few weeks. The exact recovery time may vary depending on the technique used and the patient’s healing abilities as well. The internal bone and cartilage of the nose will need longer to heal and the final shape of the nose will appear within 6-12 months.

Q. When do rhinoplasty results become visible?

A. Rhinoplasty results can never be seen right after the procedure. Immediately after having the surgery, the patient will have swelling and bruising. The results will appear slowly as-

• In 1 month, the swelling will subside and bruising will also become less visible. The doctor will also take out the nose splint that was used for support.
• In first 3 months, the changes in the nose becomes refined and the swelling disappears completely.
• In the next 3 months, the bone and cartilage will stabilize and the external skin of the nose will also adjust to the nose shape.
• In the final 9-12 months, there will no lingering effects from the nose job and the new shape of the nose will appear as the final result.

Q. What precautions should be taken after rhinoplasty to get the best results?

A. The recovery period is a very crucial phase for a person who’s had rhinoplasty. You will have to take several precautions for a very long time to ensure that you get the expected results. The precautions involve-

• Keep the swelling in control with the help of ice packs.
• Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medicines as they can delay the healing process.
• Do not take pain killers or any other Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicines without asking your doctor as they can cause adverse reactions.
• Do not engage in physical activities that can put stress on the nose.
• Avoid taking shower until the doctor approves.
• Do not blow the nose and avoid going to dusty areas as it will make you sneeze. If you blow or sneeze while the splint is inside, it will dislodge or shift the support device and compromise the healing process.
• Avoid spicy foods and reduce your salt intake as it can increase the swelling and pressure in the surgical site.

Talk to the rhinoplasty surgeon and discuss what needs to be done and what should be avoided during the procedure.