Rhinoplasty in Palo Alto & Los Gatos

Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, is surgery that reshapes the nose to improve its appearance, its function, or both. The procedure refines the underlying framework of bone and cartilage using techniques such as cartilage grafting, careful suture placement, and precise sculpting. At L&P Aesthetics, the goal is a nose that looks natural and balanced with the rest of your face, never overdone. Rhinoplasty is also one of the most commonly performed facial cosmetic surgeries in the United States, ranking among the top facial procedures in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2024 statistics. You can view real rhinoplasty before-and-after results from our patients.

People choose rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, functional (breathing) reasons, or a combination of the two. Common cosmetic goals include smoothing a bump on the bridge, refining a rounded or drooping tip, straightening a crooked nose, narrowing a wide nose, adjusting the overall size, and improving balance with the rest of the face. Many patients also want to breathe more easily through one or both sides of the nose, which is why a nasal airway evaluation is part of every rhinoplasty consultation at our Palo Alto and Los Gatos offices.

Natural-looking results are the priority. A well-done rhinoplasty draws no attention to itself; instead, it lets your eyes, lips, and overall facial balance stand out. You are welcome to bring reference photos to your consultation, though it helps to remember that a nose that suits one face may not suit another. As facial specialists, your surgeon considers how the nose relates to the middle third of your face, its width and height, the angle where it meets the forehead, and the shape of the tip and nostrils, then tailors a plan to your individual anatomy. You can see real patient results to view the natural, harmonious outcomes our patients choose us for.

Closed rhinoplasty, also called endonasal, places every incision inside the nose, leaving no visible external scar. Open rhinoplasty adds a small incision across the columella, the narrow strip of skin between the nostrils, which gives the surgeon a fuller, direct view of the nasal framework and is often valuable in complex or revision cases. Neither approach is universally better. The right choice depends on your anatomy, your goals, and the complexity of the work, and your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate technique during your consultation and explain why.

Beyond a standard, first-time (primary) rhinoplasty, several specialized approaches exist, and your surgeon will match the type to your needs:

• Primary rhinoplasty: a first-time nose reshaping.
• Revision rhinoplasty: corrects or refines the results of a previous surgery, or repairs changes from trauma.
• Ethnic rhinoplasty, including Asian rhinoplasty: enhances the nose while preserving the features of your ethnic identity.
• Functional rhinoplasty: focuses on improving breathing and correcting structural issues, sometimes alongside cosmetic refinement.
• Non-surgical (liquid) rhinoplasty: uses injectable fillers for temporary, subtle changes without surgery.

Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose by adjusting its underlying framework of bone and cartilage. Depending on your goals, your surgeon may combine cartilage grafting (often using cartilage from your own septum), precise suturing, and careful sculpting or removal of tissue to refine the shape and add support. Grafting material usually comes from the septum; in some revision cases it may come from the ear or rib, and your surgeon will review this with you in advance. Because every nose is different, the exact combination of techniques is personalized to you.

Yes. For many patients, rhinoplasty is one of the most effective ways to improve nasal breathing, depending on what is causing the obstruction. Functional work often includes straightening the septum and reinforcing the nasal structure to open the airway, and it can be combined with cosmetic refinement in the same procedure. Because this portion is functional rather than purely cosmetic, part of the surgery may be eligible for insurance coverage, though coverage varies by plan and our team can help you understand your options. Your surgeon will evaluate both your breathing and your aesthetic goals during your consultation.

Yes. Straightening a crooked nose and improving asymmetry are among the most common reasons patients seek rhinoplasty. A crooked nose can result from genetics, prior injury, or a deviated septum, and correcting it often involves adjusting both bone and cartilage to bring the nose into better balance while supporting the airway. Because no two sides of any face are perfectly identical, the goal is meaningful improvement and natural balance rather than perfect symmetry. If your concern follows a previous surgery, revision rhinoplasty may be the right approach.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty, also called liquid rhinoplasty, uses injectable dermal fillers to make subtle changes to the shape of the nose without surgery, such as smoothing a small bump or refining contour. Results are temporary and generally more subtle than surgery can achieve, and it cannot reduce the size of the nose or improve breathing. For the right candidate, it can be a good way to try a minimal, reversible change. A consultation will help you decide whether a surgical or non-surgical approach better fits your goals.

Yes. Rhinoplasty is often combined with other procedures to bring the whole face into balance. A common pairing is rhinoplasty with chin augmentation or an angle of jaw implant, because the balance between the nose and chin has a strong effect on your profile. It can also be performed alongside eyelid surgery, a brow lift, fat transfer, ear surgery (otoplasty), laser skin resurfacing, or facial rejuvenation such as a deep plane facelift. Your surgeon will help you build a personalized plan during your consultation.

Because every rhinoplasty is personalized, the cost depends on several factors: whether it is a primary or revision procedure, the complexity of the work, anesthesia and surgical-facility fees, and whether any portion is functional and may involve insurance. For these reasons, we provide a personalized quote during a private consultation rather than a fixed price online. Financing options are available, and our team is happy to review them with you. To receive an estimate tailored to your goals, schedule a consultation.

Good candidates are generally healthy adults who do not smoke, whose facial growth is complete, and who have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve. Individual medical conditions and goals are always reviewed one on one. The best way to know whether rhinoplasty is right for you is a consultation, where your surgeon evaluates your nasal anatomy, your breathing, and your aesthetic goals. Schedule a consultation to find out.

It is generally best to wait until facial growth is complete, which is typically around ages 15 to 17 for many patients, with timing individualized to each person. Earlier surgery is sometimes appropriate in specific situations, such as significant difficulty breathing or trauma. Most rhinoplasty patients are adults, and your surgeon will discuss appropriate timing during your consultation.

Look for a surgeon who is board-certified in facial plastic surgery, who performs rhinoplasty regularly, and whose before-and-after results look natural and consistent to you. It is wise to meet more than one surgeon and to choose someone who clearly understands your goals. At L&P Aesthetics, Dr. David Lieberman, Dr. Sachin Parikh, and Dr. Steven Curti are double board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeons who focus exclusively on the face. Dr. Lieberman was named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Plastic Surgeons for rhinoplasty, one of several honors our surgeons have received. We encourage you to review our results and meet our team.

Your consultation begins with a review of your medical history and an examination of both the outside and inside of your nose, including how you breathe. Your surgeon will take photographs and use computer imaging (morphing) to help you picture possible results and confirm you share the same goals. You will have time to ask questions and walk through the full process from preparation through recovery, and you will see before-and-after examples of similar cases. To begin, request a consultation at our Palo Alto or Los Gatos office.

Rhinoplasty has a long track record and is generally well tolerated when performed by a qualified, experienced facial plastic surgeon, though, like any surgery, it carries risks. These can include bleeding, infection, scarring, and, less commonly, a result that may need revision. At L&P Aesthetics, every procedure takes place in our private, accredited Alma at Addison Surgery Center in Palo Alto, with board-certified anesthesiologists who specialize in cosmetic surgery. Following your surgeon’s pre- and post-operative instructions closely helps support a safe recovery and the best possible result.

At L&P Aesthetics, rhinoplasty is performed under deep sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the specifics of your procedure. Patient safety guides every decision: we work only with board-certified anesthesiologists who specialize in cosmetic surgery, in our accredited surgical center. Your surgeon and anesthesia team will review the right approach for you before surgery.

Most patients report only mild discomfort, usually for the first few days, which is typically well managed with prescribed medication, rest, and cool compresses. It is normal to feel congested until the cast is removed, generally after about a week. Comfort varies from person to person, and your care team will guide you on what to expect and how to stay comfortable.

Most patients feel ready to return to work or school in about one to two weeks, after the first post-operative visit, when the cast and any sutures are removed. A typical timeline looks like this:

• Suture removal: about 3 days, if sutures are present
• Cast removal: about 7 days
• Return to work: 1 to 2 weeks
• Roughly 75% of swelling resolved: 3 to 6 months
• Fully settled results: around 1 year

Keeping your head elevated above your chest during the first week helps reduce swelling. To support healing, our surgeons designed an optional post-surgical recovery program through our iO Clinic. Recovery varies by individual.

Rhinoplasty produces lasting structural change, and for most patients the results are long-term. Natural aging can cause subtle changes to the nose over many years, as it does across the whole face, and no surgeon can guarantee an individual outcome. With sound technique and normal healing, no routine maintenance procedures are needed once your nose has fully settled.

Your nose is most delicate in the first several weeks. A cast protects it during the first week, and after the cast is removed you can gently clean it and, when your surgeon advises, massage it. Avoid bumping or any impact to the nose for about six weeks, and keep glasses or heavy masks off the bridge during that time (taping glasses to the forehead or using a support works well). Some tenderness during healing is normal, and your surgeon will give you specific instructions for your recovery.

This varies from person to person. In general, the nose can feel stiff for roughly six to twelve months after surgery, and any numbness usually improves well within a year. Tenderness to the touch typically eases over the first six to eight weeks. These sensations resolving gradually is a normal part of healing.

We generally recommend waiting about six weeks before resting glasses on your nose, to give the bridge time to settle. In the meantime, you can tape glasses to your forehead or use a special support that keeps weight off the nose, and contact lenses are fine right after surgery. Your surgeon will confirm the right timing for you.

Avoid blowing your nose right after surgery, since it can raise the risk of a nosebleed and put pressure on healing structures. Most patients can begin gently blowing the nose after about two weeks and return to normal by about three weeks. Until then, saline rinses are a gentle way to keep the nose clear. Always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.

For most people, rhinoplasty does not cause a noticeable change in the voice. Because the nose affects airflow and resonance, some patients may notice very subtle changes in voice quality, but these are usually minor. If you are a professional singer or voice user, mention this to your surgeon during your consultation so it can be considered in your plan.

A primary rhinoplasty is a first-time nose surgery. Revision rhinoplasty corrects or refines the result of a previous rhinoplasty, or repairs changes caused by trauma. Revision cases are often more complex, because the surgeon may work around scar tissue and altered structure, and additional cartilage (sometimes from the ear or rib) may be needed for grafting. Since revision surgery is less predictable, it calls for particular experience, which is an area of focus for our surgeons.

Yes. Many patients travel to L&P Aesthetics for rhinoplasty from across California and beyond. Our team can help coordinate the details of your visit and your follow-up care so you can focus on your result. Learn more about our fly-in patient services, or schedule a consultation to begin.

First, it helps to know that final rhinoplasty results take time. Swelling resolves gradually over many months, and the nose keeps refining for up to a year, so an early concern often settles on its own. Our philosophy is to see you early and often after surgery, which means there is always a chance to talk through what you are noticing and what to expect as you heal. If a meaningful concern remains once your nose has fully healed, revision rhinoplasty may be an option, and because revision work is an area of focus for our surgeons, you would be in experienced hands. We will discuss your specific situation openly and honestly at a follow-up visit. The best protection against disappointment is a thorough consultation before surgery, where your surgeon makes sure your goals and what is realistically achievable are aligned from the start.

Yes, skin thickness is one of the factors that influences rhinoplasty results, and an experienced surgeon plans for it from the start. Thicker, more sebaceous skin tends to drape over the refined framework rather than shrink tightly around it, so fine changes, especially in the tip, can be harder to show, and swelling usually takes longer to settle. This means the final result can take longer to appear, sometimes well beyond a year. Thinner skin shows the underlying structure more readily, which carries its own considerations. None of this prevents a natural, balanced outcome; it shapes the plan. For thicker skin, your surgeon focuses on building strong structural support so the shape holds, sets a realistic timeline for the swelling to resolve, and may use measures such as taping or, in some cases, corticosteroid injections to help manage prolonged swelling. Your surgeon will assess your skin during your consultation and explain what it means for your result.

Yes. Rhinoplasty is a common way to correct a nose that was broken, whether the injury is recent or happened years ago. Timing matters. Soon after a fracture, there is sometimes a short window, often within a couple of weeks of the injury, when the nasal bones can be realigned with a simpler procedure before they heal in place. Once a broken nose has fully healed, correcting a remaining crook, bump, or breathing problem is usually addressed with rhinoplasty, often combined with work on the septum to restore the airway. Because a previous break can affect both appearance and breathing, your surgeon will examine the outside and the inside of your nose and recommend the right approach for you. If your nose was changed by an earlier surgery rather than an injury, revision rhinoplasty may be more appropriate.