Rhinoplasty – Nose Job In Boston, MA
*Disclaimer: As with all medical procedures, individual results and experiences may vary.
Rhinoplasty Overview
Many patients visit the Aesthetic Wellness Center for rhinoplasty, a cosmetic procedure that changes the appearance of the nose. Because of its position as a central defining feature of the face, the slightest imperfection in the size or shape of the nose can disturb facial harmony. In this way, rhinoplasty can also highlight the balance and beauty of the face and its other features. In some cases, rhinoplasty is used to correct a deviated septum, narrow breathing passages, or other nasal structures, which improves the function of the nose in addition to its appearance.
When you decided to pursue rhinoplasty, you likely did not arrive at the decision lightly. Your choice of surgeon should be approached with the same attention because it makes all the difference in your overall experience and results. Dr. Ahn specializes in cosmetic rhinoplasty and has the expertise required to create excellent results, taking each patient’s unique history, needs, and aesthetic goals into consideration.
Types of Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is an individualized procedure, and there are two main approaches to the surgery. Dr. Ahn will determine the best method for your unique case.
Preservation rhinoplasty: This is Dr. Ahn’s current technique of choice for primary rhinoplasty. This technique has been revived and modified from an approach that was popular decades ago. It has become popular recently because it does not disrupt the natural air passages and internal structures (hence the term preservation) while allowing for effective reshaping of the bridge and lowering a bump. It can be done through an open or closed approach.
Open rhinoplasty: Open rhinoplasty is the primary approach used by Dr. Ahn for rhinoplasty. It involves making a small incision between the nostrils and inside the nose that allows for the surgeon to see all of the cartilage and bone structure of the nose. Because Dr. Ahn is able to have a clearer view of the anatomy and nasal structures, he is able to more precisely perform the changes to the tip and bridge.
Closed rhinoplasty: This technique is ideal for minor nose reshaping. It involves incisions that are made inside the nose.
Other types of rhinoplasty include:
Revision rhinoplasty: At times, patients find themselves unhappy with the final results of their rhinoplasty. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as a nose that is not as small as they had hoped for, a desire for increased or decreased nasal tip projection, or any issues that arise from the first rhinoplasty. Many patients choose Dr. Ahn for their revisions after a previous nose job because of his ability to address complex cosmetic concerns and craft a more refined result.
Ethnic rhinoplasty: Dr. Ahn understands that a narrow, one-size-fits-all approach to rhinoplasty often fails to preserve the ethnic identity of patients and does not account for the range of face shapes and unique characteristics of each patient’s nose. He prioritizes open communication with patients to understand their cosmetic goals, which often include simply improving the current appearance of their nose.
Procedure Details
Dr. Ahn understands that when patients visit him for a rhinoplasty consultation, they may have a general idea of what they want to look like post-surgery but may not be aware of what exactly goes into the procedure to deliver that result. Dr. Ahn is an experienced surgeon who uses a range of techniques to sculpt a beautiful rhinoplasty result for each patient. During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to ask Dr. Ahn about any aspect of the procedure, including the techniques that will be used on your nose. He will explain the details of the procedure so that the patient feels confident and informed before heading into surgery.
What Can be done to the Nose to Make it Look Better?
- Make a large (bulbous) tip more refined and smaller.
Patients who have noses with bulbous tips often want them to be smaller and more refined. This is accomplished by removing a small amount of cartilage from the tip while leaving enough to maintain structural integrity. The remainder of the tip cartilage is then shaped using suture techniques. It is very important not to remove too much cartilage and to be precise in the amount that is removed so that the tip is symmetric and strong. Cartilage grafts taken from the septum are often used to strengthen the cartilage and ensure that the tip does not shift or change position.
- Change the projection of the tip (move the tip closer to or further from the face).
During the consultation, Dr. Ahn will measure the tip projection using computer imaging. If he determines that the tip is over-projected (too far from the face) he then may recommend de-projecting the tip, moving it closer to the face, to improve the proportions and balance. The opposite is true as well for an under-projected tip.
Moving a tip closer to the face usually involves cutting the tip cartilage and then precisely overlapping the segments so that the tip moves back the correct distance. Moving the tip away from the face, increasing projection, relies on using cartilage grafts that extend from the existing septum (a septal extension graft) to provide support.
- Lower the bump that is seen on profile.
The “dorsal hump” is the bump on the nose made of bone and cartilage, which is seen on the profile view. It can be familial (your family’s nose) or the result of trauma. Bumping the nose during childhood, such as if one is hit with a ball, can cause the bone to grow.
To lower the bony part, a rasp (a tool that looks like a fine file) is used to gently take down the convex bone. To precisely lower the cartilage, Dr. Ahn uses a microblade to remove segments that are thinner than a millimeter. Dr. Ahn feels that it is critically important to lower the bump slowly, carefully and with great attention to detail, as a millimeter change can make a significant difference on the result.
- Straighten a twisted nose.
During his residency training, Dr. Ahn was fortunate to train at San Francisco General Hospital, where many patients had “twisted” noses as the result of trauma. Because there were so many people with crooked noses, Dr. Ahn and his fellow residents were able to study how best to treat a twisted nose with surgery. As such, Dr. Ahn has extensive experience with operating on the twisted nose.
The twisted nose is often the result of multiple episodes of trauma, or at least one significant incident that resulted in a broken nose. There are many factors that may contribute to the twisted nose, including: a deviated septum, misshapen cartilage, and displaced, previously broken nose bones. All of these need to be addressed during rhinoplasty to make the nose straighter. With a severely twisted nose, because so many forces have been holding the bone and cartilage in a twisted position, it is not always possible to make the nose perfectly straight. It can be made to be significantly straighter.
- Change the overall appearance of the nose while maintaining ethnic characteristics.
Experienced rhinoplasty surgeons are sensitive to the concept of ethnicity preservation in rhinoplasty surgery. Not everyone wants a stereotypical northern European nose. In fact, most patients want to retain the characteristics of their specific ethnicities. They just want a nicer version of their current nose and a result that does not make them look like a different person. Dr. Ahn ensures that during the consultation there is excellent communication in terms of the patient’s goals. For example, some want to remove a familial bump and make the nose straight while others want to retain some of the bump but just want it to be smaller. Dr. Ahn takes great pride in his ethnic preservation rhinoplasties.
Rhinoplasty Expectations and Limitations
It is important for patients to approach rhinoplasty with realistic expectations. Dr. Ahn will provide guidance about what a realistic result looks like for your unique case, ensuring that you are fully informed on what your rhinoplasty can accomplish.
Certain patient-specific factors can influence the outcome of your surgery, such as:
- Skin quality
- Degree of correction needed
- Position of the nasal cartilage
He utilizes a unique tool in addition to the images brought in by patients to preview rhinoplasty results. This process is a critical part of your consultation and helps in the alignment of your goals with the expected results.
Rhinoplasty Recovery Timeline
Patients can rest assured that Dr. Ahn will prepare them for what to expect during their recovery. He maintains open lines of communication with patients and provides full aftercare instructions. Generally, after surgery, you can expect to have the following:
It is important to note that swelling is common after rhinoplasty and is a natural part of healing. You can expect the following during recovery:
Four to six weeks after rhinoplasty: Expect swelling of the nose for four to six weeks post-surgery. Bruising around the nose is also normal and will dissipate with time. It is essential to adhere to Dr. Ahn’s instructions during this time, including bandage care and activities to avoid.
Three months after rhinoplasty: You will notice your swelling gradually start to decrease. After three months, most of your swelling will have gone away.
One year after rhinoplasty: Although your nose will look much better and less swollen after three months, there may still be residual swelling that remains for up to one year. This is why doctors advise patients that they will see their true results after a year.
Cost for Rhinoplasty Surgery
Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure and is typically not considered medically necessary. As such, it is not covered by insurance. The cost of rhinoplasty varies based on several factors, including the skill of the surgeon and the surgical approach. For example, revision rhinoplasty may cost more due to the higher level of complexity associated with the surgery. At the Aesthetic Wellness Center, the cost of your rhinoplasty incorporates three main components: Dr. Ahn’s fee, the anesthesia fee, and the fee associated with the facility. The Aesthetic Wellness Center offers financial options for patients interested in rhinoplasty. For an accurate breakdown of your actual costs, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ahn.