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The nose is a central focal point of your face, and as such, serves an important role in your overall facial appearance. For instance, an oversized or crooked nose can make the facial features appear off balance while a symmetrical, attractive nose can bring harmony and balance to the facial features. If you are embarrassed or self-conscious about the appearance of your nose, it may be time to consider surgical intervention. Rhinoplasty, also known as nose reshaping surgery, is a surgical procedure that modifies the shape, size and proportions of the nose to enhance its appearance and overall facial harmony. In some cases, it can also correct breathing problems and other structural issues.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most demanding plastic surgery procedures and thus requires the precision and skill of an expertly trained and experienced plastic surgeon. Patients in Cleveland trust Drs. Mark A. Foglietti and Alanna Foglietti Fostyk for rhinoplasty. Utilizing the most advanced techniques and methods, the plastic surgeons can produce beautiful, natural-looking aesthetic results while maintaining or improving breathing function.
What Can Rhinoplasty Accomplish?
Rhinoplasty can address the following cosmetic and functional issues:
- Oversized or undersized nose that is out of proportion to the rest of the face
- Crooked nasal bridge or tip
- Wide nasal bridge
- Bump on the nasal bridge
- Droopy or upturned nasal tip
- Small, overly large or unevenly sized nostrils
- Deviated septum
- Enlarged turbinates
Rhinoplasty is a highly individualized procedure. Some corrections can be made non-surgically in the office with injectables. Depending on the desired outcome, your surgeon may recommend combining rhinoplasty with other facial procedures such as chin augmentation or facelift to produce more comprehensive results. Our team will help you navigate your options in regard to your cosmetic care.
What to Expect During Surgery
For rhinoplasty, incisions are made inside the nostrils, as well as on the columella (the thin strip of skin that separates the nostrils). The addition of the columellar incision allows the surgeon performing the operation more visibility and control when making corrections. It is important to note that this approach does leave a small, visible scar.
In non-surgical rhinoplasty, Juvederm XC is used to correct the nasal profile and nasal tip in the office.
Rhinoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure under anesthesia. To reshape an overly large nose, the surgeon will remove cartilage and bone as needed. To correct a small nose, a cartilage graft may be used to add volume to the nasal structure. The nose will be sculpted to improve other cosmetic imperfections such as unevenly sized nostrils, a bulbous nasal tip or a hump on the nasal bridge. Structural deformities that cause breathing problems can also be addressed. Once the necessary modifications have been made, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures and place a nasal splint to support the healing nose.
Rhinoplasty Recovery
Recovery from rhinoplasty happens relatively slowly and the ultimate result of your procedure may not be apparent for months. For the first week, you will wear a nasal splint. During this period you may feel as if you had a sinus headache or stuffy nose, and may have bruising near the eyes. After one to two weeks of healing, you should be able to return to work.
Swelling is the reason you won’t see your final result for 12 to 18 months — it takes that long to completely subside. The key to a successful recovery is to protect the nose, giving it time and space to heal. Sleep on your back, put your glasses in the drawer, avoid sports and other activities that might endanger efficient healing, take care when washing your face and avoid extended exposure to sunlight. Take your antibiotics and check your temperature regularly, as any sudden increase could be a sign of infection.
Rhinoplasty FAQs
Am I a candidate for rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty may be right for you if you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your nose, have a realistic expectation of what modern surgical techniques can do, and are excited to share your vision in a close, collaborative partnership with your doctor. The experienced Cleveland-area plastic surgeons of Foglietti Fostyk Plastic Surgery know that achieving a beautiful, satisfying result requires listening closely to the patient and matching expectations with outcomes.
There are a few physical considerations, too: Very thin skin is not well suited to hiding the underlying structure of the nose; grafts and changes to the bone may be visible. Conversely, thick skin may not be sufficiently elastic to conform to the sleeker profile of a smaller nose. Age is also a factor. Younger patients generally achieve better outcomes. By middle age, with less skin elasticity and a slower healing response, results can become less predictable. If you have had a rhinoplasty before, the earlier reshaping of cartilage and bone, along with the accumulation of scar tissue, will make the surgery more challenging.
What happens during the procedure?
The Cleveland-area plastic surgeons of Foglietti Fostyk Plastic Surgery perform this outpatient procedure with general anesthesia. Using the “open technique,” your surgeon makes an incision at the base of the nose, between the nostrils. The open technique gives the surgeon a comprehensive view of the internal structure of your nose, and helps ensure a more precise outcome. It will also leave a small scar under the nose that will fade with time. During the procedure, cartilage is removed and repositioned, and the bone is sometimes fractured and reshaped. Cartilage or bone taken from other areas can be added to build volume. The entire process requires a couple of hours.
What can rhinoplasty change?
Rhinoplasty is effective at addressing a wide range of cosmetic concerns and medical issues. The profile of your nose can be changed dramatically by making it smaller, larger, narrower, more symmetrical or simply more aesthetically pleasing. The tip and nostrils can also be resized. Conditions such as a deviated septum, injury or problems breathing through nasal passages can also be addressed. Sometimes the most noticeable change results from a subtle surgical modification. That is why extraordinary skill and a meticulous attention to detail are essential traits in any plastic surgeon performing rhinoplasty.
Are there any age recommendations or restrictions for rhinoplasty?
Surgeons usually recommend performing rhinoplasties on males age 16 and older, and females by age 15. However, it is prudent to wait longer to allow time for greater emotional maturity. In cases of medical necessity, however, these considerations are waived, and a procedure to address a serious functional impairment will be performed as soon as practical.
At the other end of the age spectrum, changes in skin, cartilage and even the way your body heals are correlated with aging, and are complicating variables to consider. By age 60, optimal rhinoplasty outcomes are more difficult to achieve. The ideal age for the procedure ranges from the late teens through the early 30s.
Is rhinoplasty the same for male and female patients?
In general, men seek a more prominent nose, and women a smaller and more refined version. Some of this has to do with basic anatomy. Women’s features and bone structure provide the skeletal context for a petite nose. The prominent chins and more expansive facial dimensions of men make a longer, larger nose feel at home. Male noses tend to feature higher bridges, larger nostrils and thicker skin. Female noses typically have a delicate slope from the bridge and a slightly greater upward angle at the end.
These are characteristics that patients usually want to enhance, rather than reverse. For example, men may want to highlight straight, sleek lines, while female patients routinely prefer to accentuate naturally graceful arcs and inclines, along with a subtle upturn of the tip.
When it comes to the actual surgical procedure, these gender differences are mostly irrelevant. The thicker skin of the male nose slightly affects healing, but surgical techniques are the same for men and women.
Learn More about Rhinoplasty
There is no need to continue feeling embarrassed about your nose. Schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Foglietti or Dr. Foglietti Fostyk and find out how rhinoplasty can help you reclaim your confidence. Contact our Cleveland office for more information today.
