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Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) in New Orleans, LA

Achieve Better Facial Balance With A Rhinoplasty in Metairie

Your nose is such a dominant part of the face. Unfortunately, many people aren’t happy with the nose they see in the mirror every morning. It may be the nose they were born with, or it could have been damaged by something like a sports injury or other trauma. Nose surgery at The Cleft & Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center can give you the nose you want.

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What is rhinoplasty (nose job)?

Rhinoplasty is the clinical term, but it can also be called nose job or reconstructive nose surgery is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes the nose to improve the appearance and/or function. The patient may want to lose a bump on the bridge. Maybe the tip is too bulbous. Maybe the nostrils are too flared. The end goal is to make the nose more proportional with the rest of the face.

Rhinoplasty can be done for both functional and aesthetic reasons. A broken nose from a teenage football game or a car wreck may have left the person with a crooked nose that also has some obstruction and inhibits normal breathing.

Rhinoplasty helps to reshape the nose through interior nasal incisions to gain access to the supporting bones and cartilage. Rhinoplasty is also considered to be one of the more common surgical procedures to be done as more than half a million people seek consultation each year for it.

Who is a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

Most people who opt to have a nose job fall into one of three categories.

Appearance — This is the most common reason for a nose job, to change the look of the patient’s nose. The surgery can impact a person’s self-confidence. These are some of the most common reasons for cosmetic rhinoplasty:

  • The tip droops or plunges
  • There is a bump or depression on the bridge
  • The nose is too wide or too large proportionally
  • The tip is enlarged or bulbous
  • The nostrils are excessively flared
  • The nose is crooked or off-center

Injury — Sports injuries, car accidents, and other trauma can leave the nose misshapen. Dr. James can return the patient’s nose to its pre-accident condition.

Breathing — Some people have constricted nasal passages, often congenitally. Rhinoplasty can open the nasal passages and improve function.

If the patient is having surgery to correct any breathing problems, there is usual a stricter evaluation process to see what may be affecting any airflow irregularities. One of the most common problems that arise in the blockage of airflow is a deviated septum. Usually, the surgical process with this requires an adjustment of the overall nasal structure so that there may be a better orientation for stronger airflow.

How is rhinoplasty (nose job) done?

Rhinoplasty is done with either a local or general anesthesia in an outpatient procedure. On occasion, a patient may be required to stay overnight wherever the surgery is taking place. Dr. James uses either the open or closed method for rhinoplasty, depending on the unique situation of each individual patient.

Open — The open method of rhinoplasty involves a small incision made across the columella (the small strip of skin between the nostrils). The skin is then lifted up and back from the tip of the nose, exposing the underlying bone and cartilage. The open method is effective for addressing issues with the bridge. After alterations are made, the skin and tissue are re-draped over the new structure beneath. The open method leaves a small scar underneath the nose, but it is almost invisible over time.

Closed — In the closed method, all incisions are made within the nose. This method is used when the nose is being reshaped or resized, or when there is a nasal obstruction. Once the incisions are made, the soft tissues are separated from the underlying bone and cartilage. If the nose is to be made thinner or smaller, the nasal bones will be fractured to allow them to be reduced. If the nose is being built up, Dr. James will often use cartilage or bone from the patient’s ears or ribs. Synthetic implant material can also be used.

Dermal fillers can also change a patient’s nose. Fillers cannot make the nose smaller but can change its shape by adding volume. Unlike surgery, however, fillers are only temporary, their results lasting up to a year in most cases. Fillers can be an excellent way for a patient to, in effect, “demo” a new nose.

What is recovery from a rhinoplasty (nose job) like?

After your surgery, you will have a splint on your new nose to protect it. Dr. James will prescribe medication to reduce pain and help manage the swelling around the eyes and nose. Keeping your head elevated during the first few days is very important. The splint will come off in about one week, but your nose will still be swollen. This will improve in 10 to 14 days, but there can be residual swelling for weeks, particularly later in the day and at night. Any strenuous activity will need to wait for several weeks, particularly anything that can impact your nose. Other potential post-surgery problems include bleeding, skin issues/irritation, infections, nasal blockage caused by any swelling, and possible injury or holes to the septum. Contact The Cleft and Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center if these issues arise.

What else should I be aware of when getting a rhinoplasty?

When considering a more balanced face, with relation to the nose, remember most faces are asymmetric to a point. The surgeon’s most important goal is correct any proportion issues and to create a better idea of balance in the face. Patients should also speak in-depth with their surgeon to discuss the goals of the surgery for them to achieve a desired “look” or outcome. Surgery should also only be completed on a nose that has developed fully. Usually, complete development is by the ages of 15 or 16 in females and 17 or 18 in males. Any surgery done before the full development of the nose can cause future problems and complications, brought on by the nose continuing to grow.

How much does a nose job or rhinoplasty cost?

At the Cleft and Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center, standard pricing for a facelift is $4,600. Because this is an elective procedure the majority of insurances do not cover the cost of the procedure. You can see more of our pricing at our page here.

Read more about rhinoplasty and The Cleft and Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center’s other offered services on our blog!
Don’t wait to reshape your nose for better function and look! Call  504.619.8700 to schedule your rhinoplasty consultation with us near New Orleans, LA today.

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