Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure which is performed to improve the cosmetic appearance of one's nose. It is commonly known as "nose-job." The size and appearance of the nose are very important to the beauty of the face, and small changes in the appearance of the nose can make very large improvements in one's look. A large or wide nose takes attention away from the beauty of the eyes and the lips, and once the nose is aesthetically improved, the entire appearance of the face is drastically enhanced. A well done rhinoplasty not only improves the appearance of the face, but also improves self-confidence, self-image and sometimes even personality of the individual.

Rhinoplasty has been performed in the United States since the late 1800's and the techniques and instruments have advanced significantly over time. Modern techniques aim to achieve results that are beautiful yet natural; without interfering with the ability to breathe through nose. A small nose is not beautiful if the tip is turned up too much, the bridge is excessively reduced, the nostrils are pinched in or if the tip is abnormally narrowed. A beautiful nose should be in harmony with the rest of the face and not appear "operated." Although rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, it is also the most difficult one for a plastic surgeon to master. The delicate anatomy of the nose and the large variations in the skin type and skeletal structure of the nose make rhinoplasty a very challenging procedure to perform well. When one is considering having a rhinoplasty, one should look for a surgeon who specializes in this procedure and who has perfected his or her techniques over many years. The deformities that result from a poorly performed rhinoplasty are often very difficult to correct with additional surgery. Dr. Vartany specializes in rhinoplasty and has extensive experience in both primary and revision rhinoplasty. We invite you to view Dr. Vartany's "before and after" photos, qualifications and the testimonials from former patients prior to scheduling your consultation.

Rhinoplasty FAQ's

What is the difference between "closed" and "open" rhinoplasty?

"Open" rhinoplasty is done through an external incision on the columella of the nose which is the middle part of the nose, immediately above the lip. This results in a small external scar. "Closed" rhinoplasty on the other hand, is done entirely through internal incisions so there is no visible scar from the surgery. Dr. Vartany performs most of his rhinoplasties using the "Closed" technique.

Will my insurance pay for the procedure if I have a breathing problem?

Medical insurance can be expected to pay for non-cosmetic and medically necessary portion of the procedure. If one has difficulty breathing through one's nose due to, septal deviation for example, the septal deviation will need to be corrected at the time of the rhinoplasty and the expenses for that portion of the procedure can be billed to the medical insurance. The amount that the insurance company will pay depends on the type of coverage.

Will I be able to see what my nose will look like before having the surgery?

Yes. Dr. Vartany will take a digital picture of you and, with the aid of computer imaging, show what changes are expected from the rhinoplasty surgery. This will help both you and Dr. Vartany to determine how you will like your nose if you were to have rhinoplasty. Although the computer imaging results cannot be guaranteed, but they are usually very close to what the surgery results will be.

What kind of anesthesia will I have?

Dr. Vartany performs rhinoplasty under general anesthesia which will be administered by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist in a fully accredited surgical center. You will be completely asleep during the procedure and you will not feel or hear anything.

How long does the surgery take?

It usually takes about two and a half hours for the surgery. You will arrive one hour prior to the surgery and a go home about an hour after the surgery ends.

How is the recovery after rhinoplasty?

You will need to have about 10 days off from work or school for this procedure. When you wake up from anesthesia you will have a splint on your nose and develop some bruising and swelling under the eyes. The splint is removed one week after the surgery and the bruising takes another few days to resolve. There is very little pain after rhinoplasty. There is usually some discomfort from stuffiness and pressure sensation of the nose. Dr. Vartany does not use nasal packing, so you will be able to breathe through your nose immediately after the surgery to a certain extent. You will have prescription pain medication to take if that becomes necessary, however try to minimize the taking of the pain medications because they can cause nausea or constipation.

What can be done to minimize the bruising?

Dr. Vartany uses very delicate techniques during the procedure to minimize the bruising and swelling after the surgery. You will also be asked to stop taking any Aspirin or Motrin for one week prior to the surgery because these medications increase the bruising. Placing cold compresses on the eyelids after the surgery also decreases the amount of swelling and bruising. Taking Arnica, an herbal medication, may help resolve the bruising faster. This herbal medication will be given to your prior to your surgery.

When will I see the final appearance of my nose?

It takes about a year for the swelling of the nose to resolve after rhinoplasty. When the splint is removed from the nose seven days after surgery, the nose is very swollen and people often feel that their nose is wider than before the surgery. This excessive swelling reduces over the first three weeks after surgery and the remaining swelling, especially of the tip, takes at least a year to completely resolve.