When breathing through the nose is a problem or outward appearance of the nose is not as favorable as desired, then rhinoplasty might be the answer. Simply put, rhinoplasty is nose surgery. This form of cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape the nose. Several issues can be resolved with this procedure including a nasal bump, bulbous tip, nasal fracture, upturned nose, droopy nose, twisted nose, over/under projection, and too wide/narrow problems.

Since some breathing problems can be relieved with rhinoplasty nose surgery, insurance may cover the costs. This is a functional surgery, not entirely found under the definition of cosmetic surgery. The most common requests in rhinoplasty patients are reducing the size of the bridge, changing the nasal tip, making the nose smaller, narrowing the nose, and lifting a droopy one. Each year over 300,000 Americans are documented as having such a procedure performed on them.

The process involves readjusting bone and/or cartilage underneath the skin of the nose. Two different methods are used. Placement of incisions is the difference in the methods, as the endonasal “closed” method houses all incisions inside the nasal cavity while the external “open” method has all but one incision inside except one small incision between the nostrils. Healing is hindered by smoking and it is recommended that smoking be stopped entirely 3 weeks before and after surgery. General anesthesia is used. Some risks of rhinoplasty nose reshaping are recurring nosebleeds, numbness around the nasal skin, pain, discoloration, swelling, scarring, difficulty in breathing through the nose, as well as an appearance of an un-even nose. Swelling may take up to a year to completely subside.

Recovery involves avoiding social activities for 10-14 days, including long phone conversations. Sun and sunlamps should be avoided for 6 weeks, with swimming delayed for 1 month. Glasses and sunglasses cannot be rested on the bridge of the nose for 4 weeks; however, there is a method for taping to the forehead that can be utilized. Brushing teeth gently and sleeping on the back is recommended, along with acquiring more rest than normal to maximize healing.