After the facelift, rhinoplasty (or nose job), is the most popular procedure we perform at our San Francisco Bay Area practice.
According to data gathered by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of rhinoplasties performed nationwide increased by 2% in 2016. To provide more context, there are almost as many people receiving nose surgery as liposuction.
The researchers of the JAMA study propose that a rhinoplasty could provide patients with “multifaceted” benefits. While nose surgery isn’t the only way to improve one’s appearance, it has now been proven to result in significant, quantifiable advantages in competitive social scenarios such as dating and job markets.
This certainly was the case with our patient, Lindsay, who landed her dream job after her rhinoplasty at our practice. Hear her story in the video below.
Rhinoplasty: Function Over Form
A well-performed nose surgery always emphasizes function over form, and many of our patients report significant improvements in breathing after their rhinoplasty – even though their goal was solely to achieve an aesthetically pleasing nose.
The delicate balance between how a nose looks and how it works can be a challenging one to achieve, and while there are general ideals that surgeons strive for, what is most suitable – and achievable – for the patient must be considered.
How Does Rhinoplasty Improve Nasal Airflow?
Imagine a case where a patient would like to reduce size of their nose in some way. Depending on individual patient factors, a reduction in size may need to be accompanied by alterations in other internal structures or other measures during surgery in order to maintain or enhance nasal airflow.
During a patient consultation, we may also find that the patient is experiencing inadequate nasal airflow through one or both sides of the nose. This may be due to a broken nose, deviated or perforated septum (the wall separating the airways), and/or enlarged turbinates (conch-shaped structures in the nose that help maintain temperature, humidity, and filtration).
In such cases, a septoplasty and/or turbinate reduction may also be performed during a rhinoplasty procedure. These portions of the surgery may be covered by insurance, while the cosmetic component is usually not.
How Is Rhinoplasty Performed?
A rhinoplasty is performed either via an open (external) or closed (endonasal) approach. During an open rhinoplasty, an incision is made to the columella (the fleshy, outer end of the nasal septum). A closed procedure’s incisions would all be performed inside the nose. Besides the exterior incision, the other aspects required for nasal correction are similar in both approaches.
Does Rhinoplasty Leave a Scar?
While a columellar incision will leave an external scar, it is typically very inconspicuous. Its main benefit is to provide a better view of the internal structures. But one approach isn’t necessarily better than the other – which one the surgeon employs will depend on multiple factors, such as the complexity of nasal correction required, patient concerns, and the surgeon’s particular training and experience with each approach.
See examples of rhinoplasty results in our before-and-after photo gallery.
How Can I Choose the Best Facial Plastic Surgeon?
Taking all these factors into account, it is clear that patients should be very discerning when choosing a surgeon. The consultation stage is not only significant in establishing patient goals and the surgeon’s course of action, but it also serves as a sort of interview for the patient to determine whether the physician is the right fit for their needs.
At the very least, patients should ensure that the surgeon possesses up-to-date certification from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). The surgeons most experienced in rhinoplasty tend to be facial plastic surgeons, or otolaryngologists, like Drs. Lieberman and Parikh, as they receive specialized training in working with intricate facial structures.
If you are interested in learning more about rhinoplasty to determine whether it may be appropriate for you, Bay Area surgeons Drs. Lieberman and Parikh would be happy to advise you in a consultation. Contact us online or give our Palo Alto office a call at (650) 327-3232.