Open rhinoplasty, which is also known as a nose job, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is performed to change or alter the size, appearance, and shape of the nose. Rhinoplasty makes changes to the nose by altering the skin, bone, or cartilage of the targeted area. The alterations to the nose are made to provide the desired aesthetic changes as well as functional changes such as improving the ability of patients to breathe more easily on a daily basis. Some of the desired aesthetic changes include giving the nose a more balanced appearance with the rest of the facial features, straightening the look of a crooked nose, and narrowing the bridge of the nose. Open rhinoplasty is when the surgeon makes the necessary incisions to the nose on the outside/open area of the nose.
The total cost of open rhinoplasty depends on the amount of work the surgeon needs to perform to create the desired changes, whether the rhinoplasty surgery is for aesthetic or functional reasons (or both), fees charged by the doctor or the facility and the part of the country where the surgery is performed. Rhinoplasty surgery is usually not covered by insurance unless it is a necessary procedure to help correct breathing issues.
Open rhinoplasty is performed to make aesthetic changes to the look of the nose and/or functional improvements such as making it easier for the patient to breathe. During open rhinoplasty surgery, the cosmetic surgeon makes a small incision underneath the tip of the nose (in the area between the nostrils). By creating the incision on the outside of the nose, the surgeon is able to enjoy greater visibility while performing the surgery. The doctor is also able to gain complete access to the nasal structure which makes it easier to sculpt or alter the nose into the desired final results. Overall, open rhinoplasty is an ideal option for patients that want to make more dramatic changes to the size or shape of the nose. There is a chance of some visible scars being seen after the surgery. However, any scars are normally hidden in the natural contours of the nose (away from the view of others).
Open rhinoplasty downtime and recovery depends on the amount of changes made to the nose during the procedure. Patients will typically experience a downtime of one to two weeks after the surgery. The external nose splint is normally removed after seven days, and patients will be able to go out without having to wear it.
Patients need to sleep with their head elevated for a few nights after surgery. They do not need to sleep on their side as this can impact the bones that have been reshaped or altered. Patients are advised not to blow their nose for a few weeks after surgery since this can cause bleeding and negatively impact the healing process.
There will be some bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes for two to three weeks after surgery. Once the swelling and bruising begin to disappear on their own, the nose starts to settle into its final shape. It can take up to a year for swelling after open rhinoplasty to completely subside.
Open rhinoplasty downtime and recovery depends on the amount of changes made to the nose during the procedure. Patients will typically experience a downtime of one to two weeks after the surgery. The external nose splint is normally removed after seven days, and patients will be able to go out without having to wear it.
Patients need to sleep with their head elevated for a few nights after surgery. They do not need to sleep on their side as this can impact the bones that have been reshaped or altered. Patients are advised not to blow their nose for a few weeks after surgery since this can cause bleeding and negatively impact the healing process.
There will be some bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes for two to three weeks after surgery. Once the swelling and bruising begin to disappear on their own, the nose starts to settle into its final shape. It can take up to a year for swelling after open rhinoplasty to completely subside.
Scarring
Swelling
Infection
Numbness
A nose that is not symmetrical with the rest of the facial features
Difficulty breathing
It can take up to twelve months to see the final open rhinoplasty results. Open rhinoplasty creates incisions on the outside of the nose so some scarring might be visible to others that view the nose.
Open rhinoplasty final results are permanent unless the patient suffers some sort of damage, trauma, or injury to the nose.
It can take up to twelve months to see the final open rhinoplasty results. Open rhinoplasty creates incisions on the outside of the nose so some scarring might be visible to others that view the nose.
Open rhinoplasty final results are permanent unless the patient suffers some sort of damage, trauma, or injury to the nose.
Closed Rhinoplasty
The surgeon creates the necessary incisions on the inside of the nose. Closed rhinoplasty is ideal for patients that want to make minor changes to the nasal structure of the nose. Since the incisions are made inside the nose, the surgeon does not have as much access or visibility to the nasal structure. Patients will not have visible scars since the incisions are inside the nose.
Ethnic Rhinoplasty
This open or closed rhinoplasty technique provide natural results to African American, East Asian, Middle Eastern and Hispanic patients. Ethnic rhinoplasty keeps the unique features of the ethnicity of the patient in mind in order to properly balance the facial features. Non-Caucasian patients often need artificial implants in the bridge of the nose or cartilage grafting to achieve greater nasal definition. Patients with a very large or bulbous nose can have nasal tip reshaping.
Reduction Rhinoplasty
This is a rhinoplasty surgery that reduces the overall size of the nose, or it reduces a certain section of the nose like a bump. The surgery is often performed by removing cartilage or bone to achieve the desired final shape.
Reconstructive Rhinoplasty
This rhinoplasty surgery repairs or rebuilds the nose after damage or trauma to the nose. It can also be performed to place a skin graft in area impacted by skin cancer. Reconstruction rhinoplasty can be a functional and aesthetic surgery that reshapes the nose or repairs damage to the bones and cartilage.
Revision Rhinoplasty
A revision rhinoplasty is performed to correct or alter the changes from a previous rhinoplasty procedure. A person that is not happy with the initial results can have revision rhinoplasty to make additional alterations to the nose. The surgeon must be careful when performing revision rhinoplasty in order to properly maintain a natural symmetry between the nose and the facial features.
Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty
Patients that do not want to have a surgical rhinoplasty procedure can reshape the nose through dermal filler injections. Dermal fillers are able to smooth out bumps, give the nasal tip a new shape and improve the nasal symmetry on the face. Nonsurgical rhinoplasty results are not permanent so a person will need follow-up treatments to maintain the results.
The next step in the open rhinoplasty process is locating the right surgeon in your area who has the necessary experience to provide natural, long-lasting open rhinoplasty results. In order to help you find the best cosmetic doctor for your open rhinoplasty procedure, please use our “Find a Doctor” search page.
