Dr. Steven Hoefflin's Ethnic Rhinoplasty Guide

The goals in performing nasal surgery are twofold:

(1) to create a natural, attractively contoured nose

(2) correcting underlying structural abnormalities that interfere with breathing.

Because of improved surgical techniques, safer, comfortable anesthesia and faster recovery periods, rhinoplasty is one of the most frequently requested plastic surgeries.  The result in part depends on your own basic anatomy.  It is imperative that you discuss your goals in detail with your doctor.  A clear understanding of the procedure and its limitations will prevent disappointment due to unrealistic expectations.

The procedure takes one to two hours and can be performed in either an approved plastic surgery facility or in a hospital. Nasal surgery may be performed in conjunction with other facial surgeries.  Despite old rumors, a properly performed nasal operation rarely results in any detrimental voice change.  Surgeons have performed nasal surgery on many well-known singers with no detrimental change to their voices.  In fact, many have noted improvement.

The procedure is normally performed under intravenous sedation or a light general anesthesia so during the procedure you are completely asleep and under the care of the anesthesiologist.  Usually, all work is performed inside the nose and involves sculpting nasal cartilage and bone.

In the early days of plastic surgery, nasal bones were traumatically broken.  If bone work is necessary, we now use a method called “controlled osteotomies” or loosening and sliding the nasal bones together.

Any bump is removed by gentle sanding, and the cartilage at the tip of the nose is sculpted to give nice projection and a pleasing contour.  Natural irregularities may be sculpted and smoothed by adding cartilage taken from the nasal septum (the wall between the nasal cavities) or occasionally behind an ear.  The nasal angle may be improved when appropriate avoiding the old-style, excessively turned up appearance.  Removing a small, pie-shaped section from the side crease of each nostril may narrow overly large nostrils.  For those who experience breathing difficulty, straightening the septum to remove distortions, reducing nasal turbinates (small bones in the nose), or both creates an improved airway  Dissolvable sutures are used inside the nose at the completion of surgery.  A long-acting local anesthetic including anti-swelling medication may be used to keep your nose numb for several hours after surgery.  Pain after surgery is unusual. Patients usually describe only mild discomfort and stuffiness.