Understanding Rhinoplasty
What you should know about rhinoplasty

If you are considering nose surgery (otherwise known as rhinoplasty) to improve your health, self-confidence, or appearance, you need to have a basic understanding of rhinoplasty procedures and results. However, this page might not answer all the questions you may have. For questions pertaining to your individual circumstances, consult your doctor or surgeon.
Determining whether Rhinoplasty is for you
Ideal candidates of this surgery would be psychologically and physically healthy with realistic expectations of the results. The candidate should also have a good understanding of nose surgery. Nose surgery candidates should be at least fifteen or sixteen before altering their nose except for cases of corrective surgery for impaired breathing. Talk with your surgeon about ethnicity, age, and skin type and how these factors may affect the procedure prior to surgery.
Often, to achieve maximum satisfaction with the rhinoplasty procedure, many patients elect to get chin augmentations as well in conjunction with nose surgery to harmonize their features. Discuss options for additional plastic surgery with your surgeon beforehand.
Deciding Whether or not to Undergo Rhinoplasty
Choosing a skilled, experienced, and qualified plastic surgeon is of the utmost importance, whether the surgery is motivated for cosmetic or medical reasons. If you are considering additional plastic surgery on your face, consider a plastic surgeon with extensive training and experience in other parts of the face as well. Be sure that your surgeon evaluates your internal and external nose structure to better assess the results you can expect after surgery. It is also important to discuss how ethnic background, age, and skin type may influence the surgery’s outcome.
Your surgeon should give you a thorough explanation of the risks involved in surgery. Remember—as with any surgery, there is always a possibility of complication and risk. Your surgeon should also explain how the nasal structures of bone and cartilage can be sculpted to give the nose a new shape. Be sure to divulge your full medical history to your surgeon.
The Surgery Procedure
The surgeon will make incisions so that the skin of the nose is separated from its bone and cartilage underneath. A certain amount of bone and cartilage under that skin are then removed or sometimes rearranged to provide a new structure for the nose. For instance, the surgeon can sculpt the cartilage on the tip of the nose to reduce its size.
The surgeon then drapes the skin over the new nose and closes the initial incisions. The surgeon will typically apply a splint to the outside of the nose so the nose can heal while retaining its new shape. Sometimes, soft material might be used to maintain stability along the septum.