If you’ve ever wondered how changing your nose would affect your appearance, you’re not alone: hundreds of thousands of people worldwide choose rhinoplasty surgery (nose reshaping) each year to improve their facial aesthetics. Others decide to undergo the procedure to improve breathing and function in the nose. If you’re thinking about moving forward with rhinoplasty for any of these reasons, we offer this often life-changing procedure at our Chevy Chase office to help patients improve their facial balance, nasal function, and overall self-esteem.
As one of the most prominent facial features we have, the nose gets a lot of attention and can greatly affect the overall aesthetics of the face. Because of this, many people who are not happy with their nose’s size or shape often feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their appearance. In fact, some people are so worried about the appearance of their nose that it holds them back from being as confident and happy as they could be.
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty surgery, often known as a “nose job,” is an ancient plastic surgery procedure that has been performed for thousands of years. It is used to reshape and resize the nose to look more natural and proportional to the other facial features. Some of the most common requests from rhinoplasty patients include removing a dorsal “hump” from the bridge of the nose, straightening a crooked nose, or reducing the overall size of the nose. Other patients have trouble breathing, often due to a deviated septum, which is caused by crookedness in the nasal septum (the wall separating the nasal passages). Rhinoplasty can improve or correct this issue, which can result in better breathing for the patient. Overall, rhinoplasty is an extremely versatile procedure that can produce incredible results when performed by an expert.
Rhinoplasty Photos
Why Choose Rhinoplasty?
The nose plays an enormous role in facial aesthetics, due to the way it affects facial proportion and balance. Nose surgery is the best way to bring balance to the face and improve the overall appearance of the face. Even a small change in the nose can have big benefits, and an expert can create a result that enhances your best features. Choosing rhinoplasty for the right reasons can benefit you both emotionally and physically.
Are You a Candidate?
While nose surgery can be a great choice for many people, it’s not for everyone. Good candidates for the procedure are healthy adults or older teens who have ongoing dissatisfaction with the appearance of their nose or an issue with nasal function, such as trouble breathing or chronic congestion. Patients should be non-smokers and have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery. While rhinoplasty can produce dramatic results, it cannot work miracles. Patients need to fully understand the limitations of the procedure, as well as their own expected results. These expectations will be discussed during the consultation phase of the process, and only you and your experienced rhinoplasty surgeon can determine your individual candidacy.
Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
If you are considering moving forward with rhinoplasty, then your next step is to schedule a consultation with an expert plastic surgeon like Dr. Schoenfeld to discuss your goals for the procedure and find out whether or not you are a good candidate for rhinoplasty. During your consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know Dr. Schoenfeld and learn more about the rhinoplasty process. He will generate images of your nose and enhance them to give you an idea of the types of changes you might expect from the surgery. You’ll be able to ask any questions you may have about the procedure or about Dr. Schoenfeld and Renu. Your consultation is a valuable learning experience, so come prepared to discuss your goals and ask lots of questions. Consider taking a look at some rhinoplasty before and after photos before you come in so you can identify what you do and don’t want from the surgery.
The Rhinoplasty Procedure
Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis, as it is a fairly invasive procedure. Depending on the extent of the surgery, the procedure will take between one to three hours to complete.
Nose surgery can be performed using an “open” or “closed” technique. The open technique, which is the most popular, involves the surgeon making a small incision between the nostrils in order to lift up the skin and have unobstructed access to the tissues beneath. The closed method involves incisions made inside the nose, resulting in no visible scars but less visibility and a decreased ability to manipulate the tissues. You and your surgeon will discuss the technique to be used prior to the procedure. Once the incisions have been made, the surgeon will graft and reposition cartilage to reshape the nose and remove bony material if necessary, while ensuring the nose maintains function and structural integrity.
Once the incisions are closed, a dressing will be placed on the nose and the patient can return home shortly afterward to begin the healing process.
Thanks again for the most excellent work you did on my nose -- I am just thrilled (yet still recovering.) It has made a world of difference to my breathing and I couldn't be happier with the work you did! I've almost got my smile back. Best wishes -- and thanks so much again to you (and Dawn, too). Sincerely,
Recovering from Surgery
Rhinoplasty recovery time varies, but most people return to work in about 5-7 days following surgery. It’s very important to ensure that you give yourself enough time to heal. During the first few days of rhinoplasty recovery, you should ideally have someone there to help you take care of yourself, as proper aftercare is key to a successful result. There will be quite a bit of swelling and discomfort following surgery, and you may have some bruising as well. You’ll need to sleep with your head elevated and use an ice pack during the first few days to help control swelling. Medication will be prescribed to help keep you comfortable during recovery. Vigorous exercise will need to be postponed for 4-6 weeks.
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FAQs about Rhinoplasty
What are the risks of a nose job procedure?
Though all surgery carries some risk, an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon will be able to minimize the risks of the procedure, which can include:
Excessive bleeding
Scarring
Infection
Asymmetry
Breathing problems
Poor aesthetic outcomeDr. Schoenfeld has over 20 years of experience he and will work closely with you to minimize your risk as much as possible.
How long will it take for the swelling to go down?
Swelling can persist for many months following rhinoplasty, since the tissues in the nose heal slowly. The swelling will go down gradually over the first few months, with much of it subsiding within the first few weeks. Residual swelling may remain for 6-12 months following surgery, so results are not considered final until that time.
Can I get a second rhinoplasty surgery if I’m not happy with my results?
While it is possible to get a second rhinoplasty (known as a revision rhinoplasty), it is best to avoid this by choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon. Rhinoplasty surgery is extremely difficult the first time, and it becomes even more difficult the second time. Careful planning and realistic expectations will go a long way toward ensuring you are happy with your results. Nose cosmetic surgery doesn’t always go as planned, unfortunately, but if you choose your surgeon wisely, you are likely to get a beautiful result.
Am I ready for nose surgery?
Choosing to undergo a nose job procedure is a big decision, and you will have to make the choice about when the time is right yourself—do not let anyone pressure you. If you’re not sure yet, do some more research, consult with a plastic surgeon, and make sure it’s something you really want before you go through with it. Your rhinoplasty surgery in Washington DC produces permanent results, so don’t take the decision lightly!
Will rhinoplasty leave scars?
Open rhinoplasty does involve an external incision, but this typically heals very well and eventually no one should be able to notice it unless you point it out. Closed rhinoplasty is made through incisions hidden within the nose, so these should be invisible. There is always a small scarring risk in surgery, but it’s minimal for rhinoplasty.
Choose an Expert Plastic Surgeon in Washington, DC
Because rhinoplasty is an extremely difficult, complex, and custom procedure, it should only be performed by an expert plastic surgeon. Dr. Schoenfeld is double board certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has the skill and experience to help you achieve beautiful, natural-looking results from rhinoplasty. If you would like to learn about rhinoplasty at Renu in Washington, DC, Chevy Chase, and Maryland, call our office at 301-652-7368 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Schoenfeld.