Rhinoplasty Questions

Q - What is rhinoplasty?  Rhinoplasty, also referred to as nose reshaping surgery (nose job) or aesthetic nasal surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure which can improve the appearance of the nose and correct some underlying medical problems. Aesthetic problems which may be corrected include an increase or decrease in the overall size, the removal of a hump, a decrease in the width of the nostrils, reshaping of the tip or bridge, and a change in the angle between the nose and upper lip. Problems which may affect breathing can also be corrected.

Q - What is functional rhinoplasty? Functional rhinoplasty is aesthetic nasal surgery with the main goal of improving breathing. There are a variety of techniques for improving nasal airway obstruction including septoplasty, valvuloplasty, vestibuloplasty, turbinate reduction, and osteotomies. As a Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Naderi’s background training and Board Certification is in both Plastic Surgery of the face as well as ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) surgery, making his understanding of the nose and its anatomy and function unique amongst cosmetic surgeons.

Q - Is rhinoplasty right for me? If you are healthy, over the age of sixteen, and have realistic goals for the improvement of your nose, you may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty.

Q - Are there any age restrictions for undergoing rhinoplasty? Dr. Naderi performs rhinoplasty on patients who are over the age of sixteen although occasionally some patients as young as 14 who show mental maturity and completion of their growth spurts may be candidates.

Q - What does a consultation for rhinoplasty entail? During a consultation for rhinoplasty, Dr. Naderi will examine the structure of your nose and face, take a thorough medical history, and discuss your goals. He then takes your digital high resolution photographs and performs “computer imaging” so that you can have an accurate dialogue and understanding of what your nose may look like after surgery by being able to visualize these changes on a computer screen. All aspects of the rhinoplasty procedure will be explained including the technique (open or closed), the anesthesia, the facility, the recovery, the risks, the costs and so on.

Q - Where is rhinoplasty performed? Dr. Naderi performs rhinoplasty at INOVA system hospitals which include Fair Oaks Hospital, Loudoun Hospital, and Fairfax Hospital.

Q - What type of anesthesia is used for rhinoplasty? Extremely safe general anesthesia administered by Board Certified Anesthesiologists is commonly used for Rhinoplasty. Occasionally the procedure can be done under local or mild sedation if the patient is willing to undergo the awake localization process.

Q - How is rhinoplasty performed? Dr. Naderi is unique in that he commonly uses open as well as closed techniques and their variations. He plans the proper and best approach for each individual patient. For closed (endonasal) Rhinoplasty incisions are made on the inside of the nose with no scars on the outside. For open (external) Rhinoplasty, incisions are mainly on the inside much like the closed technique but an additional small incision is on the outside of the nose on the skin separating the nostrils (columella). The nose is then gracefully reshaped by removing, replacing or rearranging certain amounts of bone and cartilage. When the desired shape is achieved, the incisions are closed and a splint is applied to the nose.

Q - How long does rhinoplasty take to perform? Rhinoplasty usually takes about one to three hours to perform with most cases taking about 2 hours. More complex cases needing external grafts such as ear or rib cartilage can certainly take longer to complete. The goal is not to perform the surgery fast but rather to perform is meticulously and precisely.

Q - Where are the incisions made for rhinoplasty? Incisions may be confined to the inside of the nose which is known as endonasal or closed rhinoplasty. In some cases, incisions may be made on the inside of the nose along with a small incision made on the skin separating the nostrils, which is known as external or open rhinoplasty. About 70% of aesthetic rhinoplasty cases and 30% of functional rhinoplasty cases are performed as endonasal procedures.

Q - Does rhinoplasty leave scars? Endonasal rhinoplasty results in no visible scarring as the incisions are located on the inside of the nose. External rhinoplasty does result in a small, fine-line scar that is well concealed on the underside of the nose between the nostrils. This scar becomes practically invisible in the vast majority of patients.

Q - Does rhinoplasty involve much pain? Patients may experience a dull headache and the nose may ache but this is not a typically painful surgery. Medication can help to control any discomfort that patients experience.

Q - What is the recovery like after rhinoplasty? The face may appear pale and puffy right after surgery, and swelling and bruising may occur around the eyes. Though some unnoticeable swelling can last for up to a year, the majority of swelling fades in about two weeks. Dressings and splints are usually removed in one week. Most patients return to work or school a week after their nasal reshaping surgery.

Q - When will I be able to return to work after undergoing rhinoplasty? Patients can usually return to work abut a week after rhinoplasty.

Q - How soon will I be able to exercise after my rhinoplasty procedure? Patients will need to wait at least two weeks before partaking in strenuous activities and exercise.

Q - When will my stitches be removed after my rhinoplasty procedure? External sutures are removed in three to five days after the rhinoplasty procedure. Endonasal sutures need not be removed as they are all absorbable and on the inside of the nose.

Q - What are the risks or complications associated with rhinoplasty? All surgery carries potential risks. Those associated with rhinoplasty may include nose bleed (1-3%) &/or the need for minor revision (5%).

Q - Is rhinoplasty covered by insurance? Rhinoplasty procedures performed for cosmetic purposes only are typically not covered by insurance, though some degree of coverage may be available when used to correct breathing problems. Patients should check with their own insurance company.

Q - Can I finance my rhinoplasty procedure? Financing is available for Rhinoplasty procedures. 

Revision Rhinoplasty Questions

Q - What is revision rhinoplasty? Revision rhinoplasty, also known as secondary or tertiary rhinoplasty, is a corrective aesthetic nasal surgery procedure designed to correct aesthetic or functional problems resulting from a poor previous rhinoplasty result performed by another surgeon. Revision Rhinoplasty makes up a large portion of Dr. Naderi’s Rhinoplasty practice in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC areas.

Q - Is revision rhinoplasty right for me? If you are healthy and looking to improve the appearance or function of your nose after a previous rhinoplasty surgery, revision rhinoplasty may be right for you. Patients should be over the age of sixteen and have realistic goals for improvement.

Q - Are there any age restrictions for undergoing revision rhinoplasty? Dr. Naderi will perform revision rhinoplasty on patients over the age of sixteen.

Q - What does a consultation for revision rhinoplasty entail? During a consultation for revision rhinoplasty, Dr. Naderi will examine the structure of your nose and face, take a thorough medical history, and discuss your goals. Computer imaging is often performed by Dr. Naderi, so that you can see what you may look like after the Revision Rhinoplasty surgery. All aspects of the revision rhinoplasty procedure will be explained including the technique, the anesthesia, the facility, the recovery, the risks, the costs and so on. Digital imaging or photographic morphing is an integral part of the consultation dialogue.

Q - Where is revision rhinoplasty performed? Dr. Naderi performs revision rhinoplasty at INOVA system hospitals which include Fair Oaks Hospital, Loudoun Hospital, and Fairfax Hospital.

Q - What type of anesthesia is used for revision rhinoplasty? General anesthesia is commonly used for revision Rhinoplasty although local or mild sedation can also be used in certain cases.

Q - How is revision rhinoplasty performed?  Determining the aesthetic or functional problem is the first step in planning the proper surgery by Dr. Naderi. Understanding the patient’s expectation combined with what is realistically achievable allows for the correct type of surgery and a successful outcome. Revision Rhinoplasty can be done using both open as well as closed techniques.

Q - How long does revision rhinoplasty take to perform? Revision rhinoplasty takes one to four hours to complete.

Q - Where are the incisions made for revision rhinoplasty? About 70% of revision rhinoplasty cases are external or open in which incisions are made on the inside of the nose along with a small incision made on the outside of the nose on the skin separating the nostrils (columella). The other 30% of cases are endonasal (scar-less) or closed in which all incisions are confined to the inside of the nose.

Q - Does revision rhinoplasty leave scars? External or open rhinoplasty results in a very small scar that is well hidden and rarely noticeable, on the underside of the nose between the nostrils. Endonasal or closed rhinoplasty leaves no visible scarring as all incisions are confined to the inside of the nose.

Q - Does revision rhinoplasty involve much pain? Revision rhinoplasty tends to involve even less pain than primary rhinoplasty procedures. Medication can help to control any discomfort that patients experience.

Q - What is the recovery like after revision rhinoplasty? Revision rhinoplasty may involve more extensive bruising and swelling than primary procedures, though there is generally very little pain. Most of the bruising will fade within ten days and the swelling within several weeks. Final results may take one to two years to become evident although at 2 weeks after your revision surgery the nose should look better than it did prior to the surgery. The results will improve every week and every month until the healing is complete at 1-2 years.

Q - When will I be able to return to work after undergoing revision rhinoplasty? Most patients can return to work within a week after revision rhinoplasty.

Q - How soon will I be able to exercise after my revision rhinoplasty procedure? Patients will need to wait at least two weeks after revision rhinoplasty before partaking in strenuous activities and exercise.

Q - When will my stitches be removed after my revision rhinoplasty procedure? External stitches are removed in three to five days.

Q - What are the risks or complications associated with revision rhinoplasty? All surgery carries potential risks. Those associated with revision rhinoplasty include nose bleed (1-3%) and the need for minor revision (3 - 5%).

Q - Is revision rhinoplasty covered by insurance? Revision rhinoplasty procedures performed for cosmetic reasons alone are usually not covered by insurance, though some coverage may be available when treating breathing problems. Patients should check with their own insurance company.

Q - Can I finance my revision rhinoplasty procedure? Financing is available for Revision Rhinoplasty surgery procedures through banks such as Capital One or Care Credit.