Rhinoplasty Surgery

• Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure for adults to improve the shape, size and overall look of their nose or to correct breathing problems.
• When combined with septoplasty (septum repair), it may be covered by health insurance.
• Recovery takes approximately 6 – 8 weeks.

Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a “nose job,” is a surgical procedure to reshape, resize or otherwise improve the appearance of the nose. If you’re in the Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson area and considering rhinoplasty, Advanced Cosmetic Surgery is your destination for a safe, professional experience with beautiful results. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

Rhinoplasty at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery

We’re well-versed in every conceivable type of rhinoplasty procedure. Whether you’re considering a nose job for the first time (primary rhinoplasty), seeking out a revision procedure or looking for reconstructive surgery, our team is ready to help.

Each rhinoplasty procedure is unique – just like every nose! In each fully customized operation, the surgeon may use a variety of techniques to recontour the nose, including:

• Removing bone or cartilage
• Grafting cartilage usually using septum tissue
• Altering nostril size or shape with incisions

Open vs. closed rhinoplasty

There are two primary approaches to rhinoplasty which we perform at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery: open and closed. In a closed procedure, the surgeon makes incisions inside the nose. While this method leaves no visible scarring, it’s limited in scope and can only be used for very simple procedures.

Instead, for more dramatic and precise results, we usually recommend open rhinoplasty. In this technique, an incision is made on the columella, the small area of tissue between the nostrils.  

Septorhinoplasty

In many cases, patients require septoplasty (adjustment of the septum) as part of their rhinoplasty. A deviated septum can cause breathing problems, facial pain and nosebleeds. The combined operation, known as septorhinoplasty, is our most popular procedure.

Before and After Photos

Please note the patients featured in these images may have undergone other treatments in conjunction with rhinoplasty. This photo gallery does not guarantee that everyone who undergoes rhinoplasty will obtain these or similar results.

Are You a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Anyone in good health who wants to modify the appearance of their nose can be a candidate for rhinoplasty. Some people choose the surgery to correct breathing problems; others might be seeking to improve the look of a previous rhinoplasty.

However, if you suffer from heart or lung disease, smoke or drink heavily or have another condition such as diabetes, a nose job might not be the right solution for you as the risks associated with the healing process are higher. Additionally, you must wait until you’re past puberty and have stopped growing to undergo rhinoplasty. For girls, this is usually age 16 and for boys, 17–18.

The best way to learn whether you’re a good candidate for rhinoplasty is to schedule a consultation with us.

What to Expect During Your Rhinoplasty 

In the week leading up to your rhinoplasty, you should not drink alcohol, smoke or expose yourself to too much sunlight. Additionally, you should stop taking certain supplements and medications, including vitamin E and aspirin. You may require a lab test before the operation.

During your rhinoplasty, you’ll be fully anesthetized. This surgery typically takes between 1–3 hours, depending on how complex the changes are. The surgeon will make an incision either inside the nose or, more commonly, on the columella. They can then lift the skin of the nose to reshape its structure with total precision.

Post Surgery and Aftercare

When you wake up after surgery, your nose may be packed with an absorbent material to reduce bleeding and swelling, and it will be covered with a bandage. In some cases, you’ll have a plastic or plaster splint that the surgeon will remove after about 1 week. Your stitches will dissolve on their own, but any staples will be removed by the doctor.

Expect to take 1 week off from work following surgery. You’ll experience bruising, swelling and some pain in your nose and around your eyes for 2–3 weeks. Follow all instructions from your surgeon regarding changing bandages, icing the area, sleeping with your head raised and taking antibiotics or pain medication. It is imperative that you do not move, shift, or traumatize your nose in any way during the healing period. Proper follow-up care is crucial to obtain best results from your nose surgery.

After about 4 weeks, you’ll be able to see what your new nose looks like. Full results may take a year to appear.

Rhinoplasty is indented to be permanent. However, cartilage and skin may change over time. It bears mentioning that a significant number of people end up undergoing the procedure a second time to modify the appearance of their nose further.

Complementary Treatments

We can perform virtually any other procedure in conjunction with rhinoplasty. If you’re considering another plastic surgery, pairing it with your nose surgery decreases your overall recovery time and gets you back to feeling your best, faster.

• Laser skin resurfacing: This powerful procedure uses long pulse erbium lasers to turn back the clock, virtually eliminating all the major signs of aging, including sunspots, fine lines, wrinkles, roughness and uneven skin tone.
• Fillers: Temporary hyaluronic fillers from Juvederm and other industry-leading manufacturers can be injected anywhere in the face to contour your facial structure. Achieve more symmetrical features, a firmer jawline or higher cheekbones, correct fine lines and more.
• Lip augmentation: This procedure permanently enhances the lips with a safe, FDA-approved silicone implant.

How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost? 

The cost of nose surgery depends on multiple factors, including whether you require cartilage grafting, additional incisions and more involved restructuring. A simultaneous septoplasty will also add to the overall cost. For more details, contact us.

Rhinoplasty FAQ

Is rhinoplasty safe?

Nose surgery is considered relatively safe and is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed worldwide. However, any surgery comes with a certain amount of risk. In addition to the general anesthesia risks, rhinoplasty risks include uneven results, difficulty breathing, permanent numbness in the area and septal perforation (a hole in the septum).

Will health insurance cover the cost of a rhinoplasty?

If your nose surgery involves addressing breathing difficulties or a deviated septum, your rhinoplasty may be partially covered by your insurance. Rhinoplasty solely undergone for aesthetic purposes is considered cosmetic surgery and is not covered by health insurance.

How old do I have to be to get a nose job?

Reputable surgeons will only operate on boys and girls who are past puberty. This is usually around 15–16 years old for girls, while boys should wait until they are at least 17 or 18. A good indicator that you’ve finished growing is that you’ve had the same shoe size for a full year.