Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)

Confidence in Yourself and Your Surgeon

Experience matters. Dr. Alexander's techniques and goals for rhinoplasty are to improve the shape, contour and appearance of the nose to create overall facial harmony and help improve self-confidence in patients who are unhappy with their current appearance. Rhinoplasty is a very popular plastic surgery procedure, and helps many of our patients achieve a proportional, aesthetically-pleasing nasal contour.

With rhinoplasty, Dr. Alexander can reshape, reduce or augment a person's nose to improve its appearance.

Rhinoplasty can be effectively used to:

• Balance the size of the nose with the other facial features
• Modify the width of the nose at the bridge
• Improve the nasal profile, including removing humps or depressions
• Contour a nasal tip that is too large, "boxy," drooping or upturned
• Change the angle between the nose and the mouth
• Narrow and reshape the nostrils
• Improve asymmetry or deviation

It is important for patients to have finished facial growth before undergoing this procedure, which is around age 13. Ideal candidates should also be in good general health, not smoke, and seek rhinoplasty for their own personal reasons, not pressure from others.

Rhinoplasty Procedure

Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia, and takes about one to two hours, depending on the individual patient and the type of enhancement being performed.

Dr. Alexander uses one of two techniques when performing nose surgery. In a closed rhinoplasty, incisions are made within the nostrils. In an open rhinoplasty, the incision is made across the columella, the tissue between the nostrils. With both methods, Dr. Alexander gently lifts the soft tissues covering the nose. He sculpts the bone and cartilage to the desired shape. Any additional cartilage needed to augment the nose can often be taken from the septum.

If the patient has a significant deviated septum, Dr. Alexander may adjust the septum and the inner structures of the nose to improve breathing. The tissues are then re-draped and stitched closed. If the patient desires nostril reshaping, this is done as the final stage of rhinoplasty.

The best technique for each patient depends on several factors, and will be discussed in detail with Dr. Alexander during the pre-surgical consultation.

Recovery from Rhinoplasty

Allow yourself time to relax and heal. After the rhinoplasty procedure, patients may experience puffiness, nose aches or a dull headache, as well as mild swelling, bruising, bleeding or stuffiness. Most patients will feel like themselves within a few days and return to work in about one to two weeks, but should avoid exercise and strenuous activities for at least four to six weeks. While contact lenses can be worn immediately, glasses may need to be taped to the forehead or propped up on the cheeks for several weeks.

The results of the rhinoplasty procedure appear gradually as the days pass after surgery and swelling recedes. Swelling may appear from time to time in the first year after surgery, and is typically more noticeable in the morning. Our patients with realistic expectations are generally very pleased with the new shape and appearance of their nose.

The exact results depend on the patient's nasal bone and cartilage structure, facial shape, skin thickness and age. Dr. Alexander takes all of these factors into account to create a fully individualized procedure that helps you attain the precise results you desire.

» Contact us today and find out more about how Dr. Alexander's patients benefit from his extensive experience.

back to top