Getting a nose job: Is it worth it?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a rhinoplasty (a nose job) is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States—only second to a breast augmentation. In 2017, almost 219,000 people had the procedure performed. With more and more people concerned with their appearance, the demand for the popular procedure shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

What is a rhinoplasty?

Sometimes referred to as a “nose job” or “nose reshaping,” a rhinoplasty improves the appearance of one’s nose. There are several reasons why patients choose to have this procedure done. Some of the most common complaints we hear from patients who want a rhinoplasty include:

• Their nose is too big for their face
• They are unhappy with the bump on the bridge of their nose
• They do not like the appearance of the tip of their nose
• Their nose is crooked
• They feel as if their nose does not “fit” their face

Fortunately, for the right candidate, a rhinoplasty performed by an experienced and qualified facial plastic surgeon can correct most of these concerns. A rhinoplasty can significantly increase a person’s self-esteem and confidence, giving them a better quality of life.

Candidates for rhinoplasty:

The first step in deciding if you are a candidate for a rhinoplasty is to set up a consultation with a facial plastic surgeon. During your initial consultation, the surgeon will review your health and medical history, as well as perform a physical examination of the skin and bone around the nasal area. Once the examination is complete, you will be able to discuss what you would like to see improved with a rhinoplasty.

A computer imaging program, like what Dr. Ahn uses during all of his consultations, is an effective way to communicate with your surgeon about your goals with a rhinoplasty. By looking at your pictures together, you and your surgeon can create a treatment plan that will give you the best outcome.You may be a good candidate for a rhinoplasty if:

• Your facial bones have stopped growing. (This generally happens around age 16)
• You do not have any underlying medical conditions that would affect your ability to undergo surgery
• You are not a smoker (If you do, some surgeons may ask you to quit 4 weeks prior to the procedure to avoid complications)
• You have a positive outlook and realistic goals

How it’s performed:

This surgical procedures involves an experienced surgeon like Dr. Ahn at The Aesthetic Wellness Center, first examining the bone and cartilage support of the nose. There are two techniques that are used to perform a rhinoplasty. The “closed” technique is when the surgeon only makes internal incisions through the nostrils. Because of the limited visibility, it is difficult to provide the patients with the best results when using this method.

The more modern approach, also known as the “open” technique, allows the surgeon to visualize more of the nasal structure, giving the patient more accurate and precise results. When performing an “open rhinoplasty”, an incision is made in the area of skin separating the nostrils. From there, the surgeon is able to lift the skin and precisely fix the misshapen features, giving the patient the best results possible.

Recovering from rhinoplasty:

Immediately after surgery, your nose will be stuffy (similar to a head cold) and there may be some bruising of the lower eyelids. Cold compresses, especially bags of frozen corn and peas, often help to reduce the bruising and discomfort. You will leave the surgery with a small cast on the bridge of your nose. The cast and sutures will be removed seven days after your procedure. At that point, most people have minimal yellow discoloration of the lower eyelids that can be easily covered with some makeup. We generally recommend that patients plan on taking 7-10 days off from work or school to recover from a rhinoplasty. Most of the swelling goes away in the first 2-3 weeks after surgery, while the remaining swelling can take longer to resolve, particularly in the tip.

When is a good time for a nose job?

For patients, this will vary from one person to the next. There’s no one answer that fits all. The real answer is: “It all depends.” As a general rule, rhinoplasty is best done only AFTER a person has stopped growing.

For patients who are starting a new chapter in their life, such as gearing up for college or a new job, they may want to have a rhinoplasty to help reflect that new change. With proper planning, the seven to ten day recovery is relatively easy to fit into a busy schedule.

The cost of rhinoplasty:

The average surgeon’s fee for a rhinoplasty is $5,046, according to 2016 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This fee does not include the facility, anesthesia, and follow up appointment fees. Double board certified facial plastic surgeons, who specialize in surgeries of the face and neck, tend to cost more than the average surgeon’s fee.  Be cautious of surgeons who offer the procedure at an unusually low price. If the fee seems too good to be true, then you may get what you pay for.

When choosing a surgeon for the procedure, you need to find a surgeon who is not only experienced, but has the educational background and training to back it. Dr. Ahn has performed thousands of nasal surgeries and is a double board certified facial plastic surgeon. (To read more about him, click here.)

At The Aesthetic Wellness Center, the fee for a primary rhinoplasty typically starts at $15,000. This fee includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fees, facility fees, and all of your follow up appointments. (To learn more, click here.) The Aesthetic Wellness Center also offers financing through Care Credit (www.carecredit.com).

Interested in learning more?

If you are seriously considering rhinoplasty, we’d love to hear from you. Come find out why Dr. Ahn is one of the most sought after plastic surgeons in the region. He’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about the procedure in order to help you achieve the look you’ve always wanted. Call us today at 508-366-2020.