Rhinoplasty

Most patient require general anesthesia for rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty is generally only covered by insurance if the procedure being performed is for the purposes of treating nasal obstruction leading to difficulty breathing through the nose. Any changes to the appearance of the nose for cosmetic reasons is not covered by insurance.

Rhinoplasty can open the nasal cavities up and improving breathing through the nose. This can sometimes improve tolerance of a CPAP device, the gold standard treatment for OSA. However, rhinoplasty cannot alone treat OSA.

A septoplasty involves the removal and/or straightening of a portion of the nasal septum, a wall separating each nasal cavity and supporting the nasal tip bridge. A septoplasty is intended to treat nasal obstruction leading to difficulty breathing through the nose. A rhinoplasty involves surgery on the external cartilage and bone of the nose. A septoplasty is often performed with a rhinoplasty, both functional and cosmetic.

No. The skin does not change after rhinoplasty. However, it is normal to developed clogged pores after the nasal cast and tape are removed that is temporary and usually resolves within a few days.

Yes. The scar tissue from the previous rhinoplasty not only makes a revision more technically challenging but also prolongs the recovery. Patients tend to be swollen for longer and can heal at a less predictable rate and in a less predictable manner.

Yes, a cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty can be performed at the same time. The surgical approach to rhinoplasty does not change whether surgery is performed to improve the appearance of the nose or to improve nasal breathing. As a result, improvements in the appearance and function of the nose can be made simultaneously. In fact, this is a very common approach to rhinoplasty.

Facial plastic surgery procedures are generally well-tolerated by patients and typically involve little pain, especially when compared with surgery on other areas of the body. Patients are usually prescribed just a small amount of pain medication for after surgery. In fact, we have found most use only over-the-counter pain medication including acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen after surgery instead. And those who do use the prescribed pain medication usually only use it the first night after surgery. With that in mind, it is important to note that every patient perceives and processes pain differently. Some patients have a high pain tolerance. Others may be more predisposed to be more sensitive to pain. We at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery are focused on balancing minimizing post-operative discomfort and maximizing safety.

No. There are two approaches to rhinoplasty that Dr. Harmon employs. The first and most commonly performed technique by most facial plastic surgeons utilizes a small, 3–4 mm incision at the center of the base of the nose with the remaining incisions inside the nose. This open rhinoplasty technique may be ideal for individuals who have had a rhinoplasty previously. It may also be ideal for an individual who desires extensive changes to their nose. The second technique is called a closed, or endonasal, rhinoplasty. This may be more appropriate for an individual who desires less extensive changes. All of the incisions are located inside the nose and are, therefore, hidden. There is typically much less swelling and bruising with this approach. Healing is faster overall. Dr. Harmon is one of the few surgeons in the country trained in this technique.

While the average recovery time from rhinoplasty is 7–10 days, the nose continues to heal and refine over a period of approximately 12 months.

Yes. Rhinoplasty can make wide nostrils smaller through a technique called alar reduction. This results in small external incisions at the margin where the nostrils meet the face.

Some individuals present to Dr. Harmon having undergone rhinoplasty elsewhere. Whether an additional procedure can be offered depends on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the number of previous rhinoplasty surgeries, the extent of the previous surgeries, and the patient's past medical history. Every individual is unique. As a result, there is no single answer. However, it is important to understand that, the more rhinoplasties you undergo, the less predictable healing becomes.

A recessed, or weak, chin can make the nose appear more projected than it actually is. A chin implant can be an excellent complement to rhinoplasty by reducing this perception after surgery.

Every individual possesses their own unique nasal anatomy. As a result, a rhinoplasty cannot make a patient's nose look exactly like another's nose. However, surgery can achieve broad goals such as reducing the size of a nasal bump or narrowing the tip of the nose, thereby approximating aesthetically desirable features common to many celebrities and other individuals.

Yes, rhinoplasty is a common surgical procedure. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) releases statistics each year that provide insight into the state of plastic surgery around the world. ISAPS reported 55,436 rhinoplasty procedures were performed in the United States in 2020.