There are many good reasons to consider nose surgery. In some cases, rhinoplasty is done for medical reasons, such as correcting breathing problems or structural defects in the nose that can cause discomfort and health issues. However, the vast majority of nose reshaping surgeries or “nose jobs” performed in the United States are done for purely cosmetic reasons.

People may consider rhinoplasty for a wide variety of reasons, such as:

• To change the size of the nose in its entirety
• To change or narrow the width of the bridge of the nose
• To change the size, position, or shape of the nostrils
• To remove bumps or depressions on the bridge of the nose
• To alter the shape or size of the tip of the nose
• To achieve a more symmetrical look to the nose

Rhinoplasty can change the entire impression of the face. Because the nose is the focal point of the face, many people have found that their nose job has improved their overall appearance significantly.

Request a consultation to learn more about nose surgery and find the best procedures and treatments to help you achieve the look you want. We offer convenient appointment times at 3 locations in Southern California to accommodate your needs.

Real Before and After Patient Photos

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Our facial plastic surgeons have advanced training an experience specifically in facial plastic surgery techniques, which help them achieve beautiful, natural-looking results for patients.

Dr. Richard Gangnes is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. In addition to his education from the Washington University School of Medicine, he is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery as well as the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Bryan Brandon is a facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial plastic surgery techniques, having performed over 500 facial rejuvenation procedures. His meticulous approach to plastic surgery delivers his patients a natural and balanced result, while achieving each individual’s unique aesthetic goals.

For more information on whether a rhinoplasty surgery is right for you, please request a consultation. We will be happy to discuss your concerns as well as your treatment options. We offer convenient appointment times at 3 locations in Southern California to accommodate your needs.

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient plastic surgery procedure performed to straighten or modify the shape of the nose. Every nose surgery is customized for the needs of the patient. There may be alterations made to the bone, cartilage, skin, or all parts of the nose, depending on your needs. Sometimes, rhinoplasty is performed to help improve breathing by modifying the nose’s shape and clearing out the nasal passages.

Nose surgery is performed using one of two available techniques. In some surgeries, Dr. Gangnes will make incisions on the inside of the nose; this procedure is known as an endonasal or “closed” rhinoplasty.

In others, the incisions are made on the underside of the nose where the cartilage separates the nostrils; this an “open” rhinoplasty. In either case, the small scars that result from the surgery are barely visible once healing is complete and you have made a full recovery.

Your surgeon can perform septoplasty, or straightening of the septum within the nose, for patients who have certain breathing problems. The septum is mostly a cartilage structure that separates the nostrils. If deviated, the septum can cause nasal obstruction, which results in problems breathing through the nose by physically obstructing the flow of air through the nostril. The deviation can occur during early development or develop due to trauma.

The correction is typically performed with incisions entirely within the nose. Unless markedly deviated, the correction will not change the outer appearance of the nose. However, many patients will request changes to the outer appearance of the nose at the same time the septum is being straightened. This is an excellent chance to simultaneously improve the function and the appearance of the nose. After a septoplasty, no nasal splint is required, and nasal packing is rarely required. There is typically no bruising and only slight, if any, swelling on the outside of the nose. Most patients return to physical activities quickly with significantly improved nasal breathing.

Sometimes a person will only want to see improvement in the tip or lower third of their nose. The tip may be twisted, asymmetric, droopy, or have a bump or dip that needs refinement. In these cases, a Tip-plasty can be performed. With a Tip-plasty, no cutting (breaking) of the nasal bones is required, so there is no chance for bruising, and the recovery is less involved. Depending on the problem, most nasal tips can be improved via incisions on the inside of the nose. Some Tip-plasty procedures may require an incision on the outside, but these incisions heal with virtually no sign of a scar.

Tip-plasty is performed on an outpatient basis with little downtime after the procedure. Depending on the nasal deformity and the thickness of the nasal skin, swelling resolves quickly, but the tip continues to improve and become better defined months after the procedure. Oftentimes, improving the look of the nasal tip will actually improve the function of the nose and improve nasal breathing.

Rhinoplasty can be a good option for those who:

• Have completed their facial growth
• Are in overall good physical health
• Do not smoke
• Have concerns about the appearance of their nose
• Have specific and realistic goals in mind for their results

Rhinoplasty candidates will meet with their surgeon during their initial consultation to discuss their nose surgery goals. It is vital that you inform Dr. Gangnes of any health issues you may have, what medications and supplements you might be taking, and what you expect to get from nose surgery so he can identify any prevent any possible issues. With this information, we can plan out an effective, safe rhinoplasty that helps you to feel more confident about your appearance.

Rhinoplasty is a complex procedure. Planning out a nose surgery is quite difficult because it involves understanding the whole shape of the face. Our noses are complex three-dimensional shapes that sit right in the middle of our faces. They are also very functional, helping us to breathe and allowing us to smell. Successful nose surgery requires a comprehensive understanding of the nose, including its own aesthetics, its internal structures, and its role in the overall appearance of the face.

With a nose job, even small, subtle changes can have a big impact on the overall appearance of your face. There is no set order of steps or one-size-fits-all nose surgery procedure. Our surgeons use thorough facial analysis to plan out your rhinoplasty. Years of experience have allowed them to help hundreds of patients come out of nose surgery feeling much better and more confident in their nose.

As rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure, it is highly unlikely you will need to stay overnight following your nose surgery. Following surgery, you will need to rest in your bed with your head elevated above your chest in order to reduce swelling and bleeding. Your nose is going to be splinted and have internal bandages at this time, which will be removed between one day and one week after surgery. Take baths instead of showers while your dressing is still in place.

Full recovery after a nose job takes some time because the nose is particularly sensitive. You can expect swelling of your nose for many weeks after surgery. Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet to help the swelling go away faster. Do not apply ice or cold packs as you normally would to swelling areas, as this can interfere with other aspects of the surgery. You may experience some bruising and swelling of your eyelids following nose surgery, but any swelling around the eyes should resolve after two to three weeks.

Expect your nose to be congested following surgery thanks to swelling and splints. You may have a small ‘drip pad’ placed under your nose to help absorb any drainage. This is only a small piece of gauze taped to your upper lip and will need to be changed as directed. The drip pad will prevent the unpleasant swelling and chapping you feel under your nose when you have nasal drainage.

To reduce swelling, you need to take several precautions for several weeks after rhinoplasty. Avoid strenuous activity, including jogging and other exercises that cause heavy breathing. Avoid extreme facial expressions, like smiling wide or frowning deeply. Be gentle when you brush your teeth to limit the motion of your upper lip. Do not pull anything over your head, like t-shirts or other clothing, as this can catch and cause issues. Instead, wear clothing that fastens from the front.

You should also not rest any glasses on your nose for at least 4 weeks. If you regularly wear glasses, use cheek rests or tape your glasses to your forehead. When you go outside, be sure to apply SPF 30 sunscreen to your nose, since too much sun will cause discoloration of the healing skin, making your modified nose appear to be a different color than the rest of your face once the results settle.

Most people who undergo rhinoplasty feel able to return to work about 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. Your ability to retun to work may vary with your level of swelling and bruising – some patientsare more comfortable returning to work only after the initial swelling is completely gone.

Rhinoplasty makes a lasting change to the structure of the nose. It may take some time for everything to settle into its final shape. Proper aftercare helps to promote a quicker recovery and a better chance of seeing your final results sooner. You will be provided with a timeline of expected progress and a recovery regimen to make your recovery period more manageable and predictable.

It may take up to a year for your final results to be revealed, once all swelling has subsided and the nasal tissue heals completely. You will see most of your results well before then, but keep in mind that some subtle ongoing changes can happen and should be expected. Also remember that nose surgery, like any cosmetic surgery, does not halt the process of aging. The nose can be affected by gravity, sun exposure, and overall diet/health. Reshaping your nose with rhinoplasty does not stop this.

Patients preparing for nose surgery will need to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and some herbal supplements. These can increase bleeding, bruising, and swelling during and after surgery. Inform your surgeon of any other medications or supplements you are taking during your initial consultation. He will let you know if they will interfere with the safety and efficacy of your rhinoplasty at all. An adjustment to dosage or a temporary discontinuation of certain medications may be neededto ensure your candidacy for the procedure. fIf you do need to stop taking certain medications, we only ask that you do so around the time of surgery and for a short period during your recovery.

Your surgeon may also provide you with medications that you need to take prior to surgery. Any prescribed medications will depend on the results of tests we will run as we move forward with your nose surgery. We will run some simple lab tests to ensure your safety during surgery.

If you smoke, you will need to stop smoking for several weeks prior to surgery and for several weeks after. Smoking interferes with the healing process and will cause swelling to worsen, delaying full recovery and potentially interfering with your final results.

On the day of surgery, it’s important that you have someone else drive you to and from the surgery location. You should also make sure that you have someone stay with you for at least the first night following your surgery. Prepare to take baths instead of showers for the first week before your bandages are removed and consider preparing meals in advance to simplify your recovery period.

Your initial nose surgery consultation is a perfect time to ask any questions you may have. It’s important to learn about how rhinoplasty works, not only for your own comfort, but also to make sure that you have an experienced surgeon who understands the ins and outs of nose surgery. Here are some questions to ask at your consultation:

• Where will my nose surgery take place?
• Do I need to do anything to prepare for nose surgery?
• How much will nose surgery cost?
• Will I have any dressings in place following my nose surgery?
• When will any dressings be removed?
• Will I be prescribed any medications following surgery? What kind?
• When can I go back to work?
• When can I resume my regular exercise routine?
• How long will it take to see the final results of my nose surgery?
• What kind of results can I expect?

Every rhinoplasty is different for every person. There is no answer to these questions that is the same for every patient. Facial surgery, especially rhinoplasty, needs to be tailored to every client’s facial structure and personal goals. It’s important to ask questions so you can get a clear picture of what you can expect for your own customized rhinoplasty.

You will be provided with a detailed set of instructions to follow after your procedure. If you ever have questions or concerns during your recovery period, we are available to provide answers and schedule any follow-up visits if needed.

Some of the main items to consider include:

• Follow all instructions we provide regarding how and when to change your dressings.
• Do not scratch or pull at the dressings, as this can interfere with the healing occurring underneath. Expect to have them removed shortly after surgery after everything is healed adequately.
• Avoid showering while dressings are in place and take baths instead.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and activity for 3 to 6 weeks.
• Eat a high-fiber diet in order to avoid constipation, which can increase strain in the surgery area.
• Avoid putting the weight of any glasses on your nose for 2 weeks.
• Proper hydration and reduced dietary sodium content will help reduce bruising and swelling and speed up your recovery.
• After your dressings are removed, make sure you apply SPF 30 to your nose when you go out into the sun. Excessive exposure to the sun may cause discoloration of your nose that will leave it looking much different than the rest of your face.

Your surgeon and his team will schedule follow-up appointments with you in order to assess your progress and determine if you need to modify your recovery routine. These appointments are important and relatively brief. We can schedule them with you prior to your surgery. Please use the entrance to our surgery center at 100C for all post-operative appointments. Ring the doorbell and our office staff will assist you. This entrance allows us to accommodate your need for privacy and comfort.

Will my nose surgery be noticeable?
Nose surgery results can range from very subtle to very dramatic. It all depends on your existing facial anatomy and what you’re hoping to achieve. If you only want to make a minor update to the appearance of your nose, you and your surgery team can achieve that. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a much bigger change, such as removing a large bump on the nose or straightening a crooked nose, your surgeon and his team will make that happen. A carefully planned rhinoplasty can improve the look of your whole face, causing your nose to complement, not detract from, your innate good looks.

How long is nose surgery recovery?
Dressings will be removed between 1 day and 1 week following surgery, depending on the extent and invasiveness of the procedure. You should be able to return to work 1 to 3 weeks after surgery with only minimal remaining evidence of surgery. Most people are cleared to resume their regular exercise return around 6 weeks after surgery. We provide you with a detailed recovery timeline and schedule follow-up visits to check your progress.

Will I have any scars from nose surgery?
Scars from nose surgery are exceedingly small and often found on the underside of the nose (between the nostrils), which is not a very visible area. Your surgeon’s careful planning and surgical techniques will ensure this scarring is as minimal as possible.

What are the potential complications of nose surgery?
Most patients have some congestion following nose surgery. You can also expect swelling and bruising of both your nose and the area under your eyes. This goes away in a few weeks with proper aftercare. Rarer rhinoplasty complications include risk of infection, scarring, difficulty breathing, skin discoloration, and other problems. We will provide a complete list of what to watch out for after your procedure.

What kind of results can I expect from nose surgery?
The goal of a nose job, once recovery is complete, is to have not only a better-looking nose, but also a better-looking face. The shape of your nose will always be different after your recovery period is complete, though it can take up to a year for your nose to reach its final shape.

When deciding to have any plastic surgery procedure, you want to find the best, most qualified plastic surgeon and surgery team in Southern California. At Facial Aesthetic Concepts, we use state-of-the-art technology combined with the latest medical training and techniques to give you the best results possible. We’ll provide you with a complete skin analysis and develop a specific treatment plan to address your concerns.

Contact us online to schedule your consultation and find out more about nose surgery to see if it’s the right choice for your cosmetic goals.