Rhinoplasty is a popular but complex nose reshaping surgery that requires the skilled hand of a facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience. Changing the nose can affect the aesthetics of the entire face by adjusting overall facial balance and harmony between the facial features. For patients who have never liked their nose or who suffer from breathing problems, rhinoplasty can be a life-changing experience.
Table of Contents
- The Rhinoplasty Procedure Explained
- Should I Choose Rhinoplasty?
- Candidates for Rhinoplasty Surgery
- What to Expect at a Rhinoplasty Consultation with Dr. Becker
- How to Prepare for Rhinoplasty Surgery
- How a Rhinoplasty is Performed
- The Healing Period Following Rhinoplasty
- Discussing Risks and Side Effects with the Doctor
- Articles Featuring Information on Rhinoplasty
- FAQs About Rhinoplasty
Board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel G. Becker, MD, FACS is known around the globe as an expert in primary rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty, catering to his patients in two convenient East Coast locations. Whether he is performing rhinoplasty in New Jersey or operating in Philadelphia, Dr. Becker is known for delivering consistently great results. Very few plastic surgeons are as dedicated to a single procedure as Dr. Becker. Rhinoplasty is an extremely complex procedure, which is why Dr. Becker has spent so much of his career mastering the art and science of nose reshaping surgery.
The Rhinoplasty Procedure Explained
More commonly known as a “nose job,” rhinoplasty is the medical term for elective nose surgery. While plastic surgeons sometimes perform this procedure to address breathing problems or structural issues, rhinoplasty is typically performed to help patients achieve their ideal facial aesthetics and to balance out the facial features. It is one of the most popular and effective plastic surgeries, yet few surgeons are truly skilled in performing this intricate procedure. Rhinoplasty surgery is customized to each patient’s needs. It is extremely versatile and can involve making a number of changes to the nose, including:
- Changing the nose’s size and shape
- Smoothing a prominent nasal hump
- Altering the height of the bridge
- Refining the nasal tip
- Removing or altering bones and cartilage
- Adding nasal implants and grafts
- Straightening the nasal septum for better breathing
As one of the oldest facial plastic surgery procedures in the world, rhinoplasty has gone through many changes and has become a very technical procedure. Once patients have healed from their nose job, the results are permanent.
Should I Choose Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery designed for patients who dislike the look of their nose. Patients may be unhappy with how they appear in photos or feel self-conscious during social situations. Nose surgery can be a great solution for people who feel unattractive due to the appearance of their nose.
People who choose to get a nose job are those who want a more permanent solution to improving their looks than makeup or a great haircut can provide. Rhinoplasty helps people feel more confident and social by boosting their self-esteem.
Rhinoplasty can improve a naturally prominent nose as well as a nose that has been affected by trauma or disease. By adjusting the look of the nose, rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Daniel Becker can also balance a weak chin in some patients. Because the nasal tip tends to droop as we age, rhinoplasty can also be performed as an anti-aging procedure to refresh the face.
Some patients may be approved for functional rhinoplasty such as a septoplasty and choose to have cosmetic changes made during the same surgery. Septoplasty is a surgery that is performed to straighten the wall of cartilage that divides the nasal passages, in order to improve a patient’s breathing. Often times, insurance will cover this portion of the procedure. Septoplasty and rhinoplasty are often combined, especially if trauma or disease have impacted both the nose’s function and its form.
Candidates for Rhinoplasty Surgery
While patients must schedule an in-person consultation with Dr. Becker for a health review, a nasal examination, and other assessments, there are general criteria for rhinoplasty candidates. Because rhinoplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery, patients must be in good health to qualify for
the procedure. Patients who smoke or drink heavily or have other health issues may have to change their lifestyle or get their medical conditions under control prior to being approved for nose surgery. In some cases, the doctor may order bloodwork or imaging if he has any concerns. Patient safety is paramount to Dr. Becker and his New Jersey rhinoplasty team.
Those interested in this popular facial plastic surgery can schedule a consultation at Dr. Becker’s New Jersey rhinoplasty clinic, The Rhinoplasty Center, to find out if they might be considered candidates. Dr. Becker can also explain less invasive options, like liquid rhinoplasty. This temporary solution can disguise a nasal hump, asymmetry, and other minor issues but must be repeated periodically, typically every few or several months, to maintain results.
What to Expect at a Rhinoplasty Consultation with Dr. Becker
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
When patients meet Dr. Becker for the first time to discuss the possibility of primary rhinoplasty surgery, they will go over any health issues that may need to be considered. Patients will also have the opportunity to discuss their concerns and ask questions. They will explain why they dislike the look of their nose and may provide pictures of noses that reflect their goals.
Dr. Becker may use imaging to show patients how different changes might look after surgery. He carefully tailors each rhinoplasty surgery with his knowledge of facial harmony, anatomical structures, and the patient’s preferred look. Dr. Becker may suggest additional procedures to help a patient achieve their ideal facial aesthetics.
During the consultation with Dr. Becker, he will explain what to expect before, during, and after the rhinoplasty surgery. He will go over the location of the surgery and explain the two options of his New Jersey or Philadelphia rhinoplasty practice, the use of general anesthesia, and the specifics of the steps he will take during the nose surgery. Dr. Becker can also provide important information to ensure a speedy recovery and suggest a date when the patient can return to work following the nose reshaping procedure.
How to Prepare for Rhinoplasty Surgery
Local patients can return home soon after surgery when driven by a family member or friend, but those who may have traveled from other parts of the country or beyond will want to make arrangements for a short stay in the area. The doctor’s New Jersey rhinoplasty staff and the Philadelphia front office team may be able to assist with knowledge of area accommodations. The doctor will help patients determine their length of stay since he will need to see them for a postoperative visit to ensure proper healing and to address any side effects.
Before the date of the surgery, patients should have any prescription medications filled. These can include medicines to control swelling, infection, and pain. They should also stock up on plenty of ready-made food and beverages with straws available. Frozen gel packs or peas should be chilling in the freezer, and a recovery area should be set up in advance.
Patients are instructed to rest and sleep with their head elevated during the first few weeks, which means extra pillows should be available at all times. While Dr. Becker and his team will take every precaution to prevent infections, patients are expected to maintain the hygiene of their environment and practice good self-care. Those who have undergone rhinoplasty will want to wear button-down shirts not only to their appointment but also in the week following the procedure. Pullover-style shirts can bump and jostle the nose, potentially compromising the results.
Before surgery, patients should request at least a week off work, school, or their normally scheduled routines.
How a Rhinoplasty is Performed
Dr. Becker typically performs nose surgery under general anesthesia. He operates in an approved facility with an expert care team. Before the rhinoplasty, Dr. Becker will meet with the patient and guide them through the steps of the surgery. He may create markings on the patient’s face to help guide him as he makes the requested changes to the nose. Patients are placed in a comfortable and monitored sleep while Dr. Becker operates.
In cases of revision rhinoplasty, nasal reconstruction, or in other cases where areas of the nose must be built up, Dr. Becker may first harvest cartilage from the patient’s own ear or ribs. Tissue is removed discreetly and will not affect the look or function of these areas. In rare cases, biocompatible, animal, or cadaver tissue is used.
If performed as an open rhinoplasty, Dr. Becker will create a small cut between the nostrils to access the underlying bones and cartilage. He will then use surgical tools to alter the tissues of the nose. By reshaping the structures of the nose, manipulating bone and cartilage, or adding implants, Dr. Becker can change the overall look of the nose. He can further restructure the nostrils to change the position of the nose or the look of the nostrils.
Dr. Becker may use sutures to close any incisions and will typically place a nasal cast over the nose to help it maintain its new shape. Nasal packing may or may not be used to help control bleeding and stabilize the nasal passages. Anesthesia will be reversed, and the patient will be awoken from the surgery. Once Dr. Becker and his staff feel that it is safe for the patient to leave, they will be discharged.
The Healing Period Following Rhinoplasty
Directly After the Procedure
Once comfortably resting, patients will often sleep much of the remainder of the day as the anesthesia wears off completely. Pain medication should be distributed by a caretaker. Patients can further control pain and swelling by lightly applying a cool compress. Any time the patient is sitting or laying down, the head should be elevated at least 45 degrees.
The Week After Rhinoplasty
Patients will visit Dr. Becker’s office in the days following the surgery. If nasal packing was placed, it will usually be removed within a few days. The nasal cast is typically removed one week postoperatively. Bruising is often short-lived and usually disappears around the two-week mark.
The Months After Surgery and Beyond
Healing from a nose job can take up to a year or longer, though much of the visible swelling will have gone down within the first few months. The nose will take on its new shape without obvious signs of surgical intervention. Patients who are seeking a revision rhinoplasty for any reason must generally wait six months to a year after the initial procedure to allow the nose to heal completely.
Discussing Risks and Side Effects with the Doctor
Rhinoplasty surgery can be unpredictable for a number of reasons. The patient may have been injured while healing, developed an infection, or might have been dissatisfied with the results due to limitations of the anatomy.
Aesthetic medicine is not a perfect science, but every precaution is taken during the consultation, planning, and executing of the rhinoplasty to prevent adverse results. Prescription medications will also help prevent infection and excessive swelling, which can impact the final look of the nose.
Although rare when the procedure is performed by an expert rhinoplasty surgeon like Dr. Becker, the following complications have been associated with this plastic surgery procedure:
| Bleeding | Infection | Anesthesia complications |
| Changes in sensation | Breathing problems | Scarring |
| Poor aesthetic outcome | Skin necrosis | Skin discoloration |
Sometimes while healing, patients may feel concerned about the appearance of their nose. This is normal because the nose takes a long time to heal from facial plastic surgery. Nasal bones may have been broken, cartilage could have been added or removed, and significant swelling may be present. Patients are encouraged to call our New Jersey rhinoplasty office as needed to help them feel comfortable during their recovery.
Why Choose Dr. Becker for Rhinoplasty?
Dr. Becker is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience performing primary rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty surgeon. He started his first practice in Philadelphia and expanded across the Delaware River to New Jersey in 2003. The doctor specializes in the following procedures:
- Smoothing a nasal hump
- Creating nasal symmetry
- Repairing a nasal fracture
- Restructuring a nasal tip
- Narrowing the nose
- Reconstruction
- Primary rhinoplasty
- Revision rhinoplasty
- Functional rhinoplasty
Dr. Becker is a true specialist in the art of rhinoplasty and is internationally known for his expertise. He serves as a Clinical Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and has continued research in rhinoplasty on an ongoing basis. He presents his findings all over the world to help his peers improve their techniques and outcomes. Educating others had been an integral part of his professional satisfaction. He has also authored journal articles and textbooks.
Everything went just as you said it would. The website and the computer imaging were extremely helpful. I’ve always been self-conscious about my appearance, this surgery has been a tremendous boost to my self-confidence. Thank you!
With a background as an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, throat doctor), the doctor has advanced experience with the intricacies of the nose. He is also the most qualified doctor to perform functional rhinoplasty, where septoplasty is combined with cosmetic components.
Articles Featuring Information on Rhinoplasty
The following articles may be of interest to prospective patients:
Dr. Becker et al wrote an article for the Aesthetic Surgery Journal and the Journal of the American Medical Association.
FAQs About Rhinoplasty
Are artificial implants used during rhinoplasty?
Some plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty procedures using biocompatible material like Gore-Tex implants, but Dr. Becker is not a proponent of this method. Gore-Tex nose jobs are more likely to become infected, and they can result in an unnatural aesthetic if the implant shifts.
If the implant punctures the skin, damage may not be able to be repaired. There are well-documented instances of implants failing during this type of rhinoplasty.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
How much does rhinoplasty cost?
Primary rhinoplasty can cost between $5,000 to $7,000, while a revision rhinoplasty can often cost double. The cost can vary based on the doctor’s expertise, the area of the country, and the nature of the case. Patients may be eligible for financing plans through Dr. Becker’s practices, or insurance may cover a portion of the cost for some revision or functional surgeries.
Related articles
- What Complications Can Occur After Rhinoplasty?
- How Can I Speed Up My Rhinoplasty Recovery?
- Rhinoplasty Recovery, What To Expect
- How Is A Reduction Rhinoplasty Done?
- Reasons to Consider Finesse Rhinoplasty
What is a tip plasty?
A nasal tip plasty is the term used for a rhinoplasty surgery that focuses on improving just the tip of the nose. In some procedures, this can be performed as a liquid rhinoplasty, where a dermal filler is injected into the tip of the nose. However, a long-term solution is to undergo surgery. Most nasal tip plasty surgeries are faster and less invasive than a full rhinoplasty.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
What is an ethnic rhinoplasty?
Non-Caucasian individuals tend to have facial features specific to their ethnicity. Dr. Becker must consider the nasal anatomy of the individual in order to achieve the patient’s desired results. Additionally, Dr. Becker is careful to retain certain characteristics of the nose that reflect their ethnic heritage.
This article on rhinoplasty in Philadelphia and New Jersey was written by Dr. Daniel G. Becker, MD, FACS {About Dr. Becker}.