Rhinoplasty
Conveniently located to serve the areas of New York, NY
Rhinoplasty or “Nose Job” is one of the most popular procedures performed on both men and women. The nose occupies the center of the face and it is, without doubt, one of the first things people notice about the face. With that being the case, it should not surprise us that there were more than 300 000 rhinoplasty nose plastic procedures in the U.S. in 2020 (According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Either for cosmetic purposes or because of a medical condition (for example – improving breathing function), rhinoplasty is a facial outpatient surgery routinely performed at our plastic surgery center
Contents
Before and After Photos
Procedure
The structure of the nose basically consists of a skin envelope surrounding various bones and cartilages. It is the bony and cartilaginous structures that are contoured by our plastic surgeon, Dr. George Lefkovits. The purpose of rhinoplasty surgery is to alter the size and shape of the nose to help achieve balance with the rest of the face and your desired appearance of the nose, so as to help you deal with breathing difficulties and certain medical conditions.
Most patients seek a reduction in the nasal profile, but in some cases, especially certain ethnic groups like Asians and African Americans, may need augmentation or enhancement of the profile. We tend to use human cartilage as the source of the implant rather than synthetics.
If your nose doesn’t suit you, our surgeon can work with you to provide you with a look you feel confident and beautiful in. Dr. Lefkovits at Park Plaza Plastic Surgery in NYC is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. With his expertise, he can help you get the profile you desire.
Ideal Candidate
The nose consists of bone, cartilage, and skin. Rhinoplasty manipulates the bone and cartilage but cannot change the texture of the skin. Therefore, most patients who have satisfactory skin coverage can undergo the procedure. The worse the skin condition the longer the healing and the less optimal result. Of course, patients must have the proper reason for doing the surgery.
Many people have problems and deformities of the nose as a result of age, injury, or genetics. This surgery can help them improve the quality of their life significantly.
Our patients usually require nose surgery:
- to create or improve facial symmetry;
- to reshape the bridge, nostrils, or tip of the nose;
- because they want to adjust or make some changes to the size and shape of the nose;
- to correct deformities after injury;
- to correct crooked noses (whether they have been caused by injury or birth defects);
- to improve breathing ability by opening airway passages;
- to increase self-confidence and improve their appearance.
Ideal Age
The most common age group undergoing rhinoplasty surgery are teenagers and young adults. It is not recommended to have the surgery before age 14. But patients in the middle age group as well as older patients also often undergo surgery operations with very good results.
Open Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is considered a difficult procedure because one is operating in a small, confined space. Open Rhinoplasty is the term used when rhinoplasty involves an incision on the outside of the nose in the base area. This incision is used to expose the inner nasal anatomy including nasal bones, cartilage, and septum. This exposure increases visibility but at the expense of a visible scar at the base of the nose. The increased dissection also usually leads to increased post-operative swelling.
Closed Rhinoplasty
Closed Rhinoplasty is the term used when rhinoplasty is performed through the inside of the nose without an outside incision. This makes the procedure a bit more complex but with the advantage of leaving no surgical scar and usually resulting in less post-op swelling. Closed Rhinoplasty requires longer and more intense training.
Closed Rhinoplasty is becoming more requested and popular.
Pre-Op Requirements
Before the surgery, you will:
- have a physical exam, special blood testing, and possible need for medical clearance;
- receive written instructions which will be reviewed;
- have certain prescriptions electronically called in.
- photo taken
Take into consideration that you will also need Covid PCR testing 3 days before the surgery.
Risks And Complications
If you are feeling worried or uncertain about rhinoplasty, our surgeon Dr. Lefkovits at Park Plaza Plastic Surgery from New York City will give you detailed information about the nose surgery. While Rhinoplasty is a very common operation, like other procedures it carries risks.
These may include:
- allergic reaction to anesthesia;
- bleeding, which tends to occur either at 24 hours or after 4 days post-op. It is, therefore, very important to abstain from any active exercises, even excessive laughing during the initial post-op period, but especially during the first week;
- internal or external visible scarring;
- nasal obstruction;
- loss of smell;
- change of nasal acoustics;
- permanent changes in skin sensation (numbness in and around your nose);
- breathing difficulties;
- infection;
- septal perforation (a hole in the nasal septum) – rare;
- poor wound healing or scarring;
- recurrent deformity;
- the need for a touch-up. This risk varies from 10% to around 30% depending on the surgeon and their experience. At our clinic, this risk varies from 5-10%. Because of significant post-op swelling and healing, the decision to perform a touch-up may need to wait at least 6 months.
- patient dissatisfaction.
Before rhinoplasty, the doctor will discuss with you all the risks, but as a patient, you should ask everything you feel unsure about.
Basic Information
How long is the procedure?
Rhinoplasty is generally performed as an outpatient in an office or hospital setting. The procedure usually takes about 1 to 2 hours and you return home the same day.
What type of anesthesia is used for rhinoplasty?
The nose surgery is performed in our office operating suite under general anesthesia, after appropriate pre-operative blood testing and physical examination. This means that you will not be awake throughout the procedure (which is the case with local anesthesia). Occasionally, sedation will be used instead of general anesthesia.
Where are the incisions made?
The incisions generally lie inside the nose. In some cases, small incisions may be made on the outside, which is inconspicuous. Some nasal operations have a functional component, such as a deviated septum (the midline structure separating the two nasal chambers) or enlarged turbinates (structures lying along the side walls). These situations are often covered by insurance providers.
When a doctor performing rhinoplasty achieves desired look of the nose, the skin and tissue are redraped, and incisions are closed.
Expected Results
After detailed information about your desired look of the nose and the expectations you have of rhinoplasty, our doctor is able to:
Reduce the size of your nose
This is done by removing some of the cartilage (usually from the septum – section in the center of the nose) or bone.
Make your nose larger
Building up your nose by taking bone from the hips, elbow, or skull, and cartilage from the ears.
Reshape your nose
Reshaping of the nostrils, reshaping of the nose tip, or reshaping of the nasal bridge by breaking the nose bone and rearranging the cartilage.
Change the angle
A change in the angle can be performed between the nose and the upper (top) lip.
Recovery
After nose job surgery, you will often have packing inside the nose as well as taping and a splint. You will be taken to the Recovery Room where a nurse will be attending to you. You can usually leave after 1-2 hours with an escort. You will be asked to return in 1-2 days to have the packing removed and 4-5 days later to have the taping and splint removed.
Sometimes you may have additional taping applied for another few days. You will be asked to rest and to avoid exercise which requires a lot of energy (strenuous activity).
Most patients may return to school or non-strenuous work after 7- 10 days. You will continue to be followed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and at 1 year. Of course, if there is a need to see you at other times, you will be asked to return sooner.
Results
Bear in mind that it usually takes up to one year for your rhinoplasty to achieve the results and aesthetic you have desired. During that period of time, you may experience numbness and/or swelling around the tip of the nose. Any possible discomfort can be controlled by medications in the first weeks after the rhinoplasty procedure.
Contact
Dr. George Lefkovits is double board certified in ENT (otolaryngologist – specialized for head and neck surgery) and in plastic surgery. As a result, he has a very strong background in nasal surgery. And because of his prior Residency in Ear, Nose and Throat surgery he has extensive experience in Close Rhinoplasty.
He also stresses achieving a natural result (not an obvious “nose job look”). Over the many years, he has been in practice, Dr. Lefkovits has performed thousands of Rhinoplasties. He is also frequently consulted to perform revisional nasal surgery. With his medical expertise, he has been helping our patients for 40 years to get desirable nose and face profiles.
If you are not feeling satisfied with your facial features, especially regarding the shape or size of your nose and you live in New York, Dr. George Lefkovits, surgeon and owner of Park Plaza plastic surgery center from NYC, is one of the Board certified plastic surgeons who can provide you with a look you feel confident and beautiful in.
Considerations
As even the smallest of changes or enhancements can produce significant changes, nose revisions are performed on a “case-by-case” basis. Our surgeon will meet you before performing this procedure to discuss your expectations and goals and carefully plan out your treatment to produce the desired results.
At the initial consultation, our doctor is going to:
- ask you to fill out forms that include health-related history;
- examine your nose, first on the outside and then, usually using special lighting, he will look inside your nose. Together, you will review the area which bothers you, as he will give you a mirror;
- discuss various treatment options and risks with you to ensure you fully understand your procedure;
- outline the plan for the surgery and answer all your questions;
- show you before and after photos. These are meant not to “show off” but to show different types of nasal corrections he has achieved, with some usually resembling your type of nasal deformity. It is important that your sense of nasal aesthetics align with that of Dr. Lefkovits.
- discuss various treatment options and risks with you to ensure you fully understand the rhinoplasty procedure;
- explain everything related to rhinoplasty cost and whether is it covered by insurance;
- ask you about your medical related history, and if you are taking certain medication at the moment;
- give you detailed post-operative instructions following your procedure in order to help you recover quickly and maintain the result of your treatment.
Patient Satisfaction
Patient satisfaction rate is very high. Because the nose occupies the center of the face, the focus on this feature is very strong. It is natural to have anxiety beforehand in not knowing exactly what the nose will look like and how it will blend with the face. That is why choosing the right surgeon is so important as it will allay a lot of fears and instill confidence in moving forward with the Rhinoplasty.
Schedule Your FREE Consultation
If you’re thinking about nose surgery we strongly advise you to visit our clinic 0r call our office and ask for an appointment with Dr. George Lefkovits, a facial plastic surgeon from Park Plaza plastic center in New York.
Call our office at (212) 750-9494and we will arrange for you a free rhinoplasty consultation.
