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.

Nose Job: What are Nasal Splints Meant for?

Rhinoplasty surgery, also referred to as nose job or nasal surgery, mostly involves reshaping of the nasal bone and cartilage components. To do this the cosmetic surgeon has to lift the skin off of these structures (this is why the skin swells after the surgery). To see the final results of nose reshaping, one should wait till the skin eventually reattaches to the bone and cartilage. Of course the skin will reattach and the swelling will subside on its own with the lapse of time, but controlling this process is beneficial in terms of the final aesthetic result.

If the swelling stays non-controlled, its recovery time will significantly increase, which would naturally be quite distressing to all patients. Besides, if the skin does not reattach well or a scar forms between the skin and the underlying nasal framework, the change in the nasal shape may never be seen fully.

All nasal surgeries involve taping with or without an overlying splint. The main reason of this nasal dressing is to compress the skin, forcing it to stick back as quick as possible. Compression decreases the amount of swelling that normally occurs. It prevents fluid and scar formation between the skin and the underlying bone and cartilage. Their use is absolutely necessary in rhinoplasty surgery to help the patient get the best possible results. The lesser the swellings stay, the quicker the patient will see the final results!

Contrary to the common misconception, the nasal splints after nose job do not ‘hold the nose together’. They are a means of compression to decrease the swelling and help the skin reattach to the altered framework of the nose. Most cosmetic surgeons will leave splints on the nose for one week after the rhinoplasty. In some cases cosmetic surgeons may even use additional taping during the second week in case of intensive swelling.

If you have planned to undergo rhinoplasty surgery, but still have some unanswered questions and doubts, please schedule a free consultation with nose job surgeon Armen Vartany.

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Nose Job: It May Eliminate Your Breathing Problems!

November 4th, 2010

Some medical conditions and problems (a problem with your septum, the nasal lining of your nostrils, nostrils’ size and shape, etc.) may impair your breathing leading to other health complications. Opting for a surgical solution and undergoing rhinoplasty is the best decision in this case.

On the consultation day before the surgical procedure your rhinoplasty surgeon will ask for your detailed medical history as in some cases the problem may be eliminated medically and not surgically.

A common problem that causes breathing difficulties is a deviated septum (the septum is a piece of bone and cartilage dividing the right and left nostril). Theoretically it should be straight, but in most cases it is curved to one side or the other. If the septum is curved slightly, then it won’t cause any obvious breathing difficulties, but if deviation is evident, then it may abstract your nasal airway, in such a case you  will definitely need a surgical solution.

The nasal lining of your nostrils may be another issue which should also be addressed surgically. If you have enlarged nasal turbinates, nasal polyps, or other problems that are not responding to medical treatment, then most likely you should opt for a surgical removal of these nasal problems.

Finally, the size and shape of your nostrils, as well as the strength or weakness of your nasal cartilage, may also affect your breathing. In case of collapsible nostrils or a weak cartilage, the solution may be both medical and surgical.

To decide whether your breathing problem may be eliminated surgically or medically, consult with Los Angeles nose job surgeon Dr. Vartany.