Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping surgery, has an incredibly powerful effect on a person’s overall expression. When entrusted to a well-trained and experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Genaro Valladolid, rhinoplasty can not only improve the look of the nose, but it can also improve the balance and harmony between the facial features.
People pursue rhinoplasty for many reasons. Some wish to change the size, shape, symmetry or angle of the face. Others want to refine the nasal tip or nostrils, or smooth out a bump or depression on the bridge of the nose. Yet others have structural abnormalities, such as a deviated septum, that impedes normal breathing function. Dr. Valladolid works individually with every patient to assess his or her needs and explain what is possible with rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty is a complex procedure that demands the artistic eye and technical expertise of a surgeon like Dr. Valladolid. Rhinoplasty is a very customized procedure and Dr. Valladolid tailors his techniques to the individual needs of his patients. With every patient, he strives to create the most natural and beautiful version of the nose, and one that balances out the rest of the patient’s unique facial features.
The ideal rhinoplasty candidate is in good physical health, does not smoke and does not have any underlying health conditions that could increase the risks of surgery or jeopardize the healing process. Rhinoplasty is only recommended for people whose nose has reached its physical maturity (this usually occurs in the later teenage years).
Candidates should understand what rhinoplasty can accomplish and have specific, reasonable treatment goals. Candidates should desire improvement and not perfection.
Rhinoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis with general anesthesia. Every rhinoplasty requires an individualized approach tailored to the patient’s unique anatomy and specific goals.
Depending on the details of the treatment plan, Dr. Valladolid creates the surgical incisions inside the nostrils and along the thin strip of skin separating the nostrils (the columella). Through the incisions, Dr. Valladolid reshapes or removes bone and cartilage or adds cartilage grafts, depending on what the procedure calls for. He can refine the nasal tip so it flatters the face, or adjust the size or shape of the nostrils so they are more symmetrical.
After rhinoplasty, swelling and bruising in the nose and eye areas is common. The initial swelling resolves within a few weeks but can take up to a year to completely subside. Any pain or discomfort can be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medication.
Dr. Valladolid provides post-operative instructions to manage aftereffects and make the recovery process go smoothly. He also clears patients to resume work, exercise and the rest of their daily activities. Most patients are able to resume desk jobs within two weeks of surgery; however, exercise and other strenuous activities may need to be avoided for up to six weeks or more.
As the swelling resolves, the shape of the nose improves. It can take up to a year for the surgical results to completely stabilize.
Rhinoplasty is a highly customizable procedure, and therefore no two rhinoplasty results will look the same. Dr. Valladolid will listen attentively to the minute aspects you are hoping to change to achieve results you will be thrilled with. Rhinoplasty can be used to change the size, angle and shape of your nose. It can also improve symmetry, change the size of the nostrils and alter the projection of your nasal tip.
The price of your rhinoplasty is likely to fall between $6,000 and $12,000. The cost will depend on which aspects of the nose are being altered and the extent of work necessary to achieve your goals. Dr. Valladolid will be able to give you a more complete price breakdown during the consultation phase. Insurance may cover some of your rhinoplasty if it corrects a breathing issue like a deviated septum. For patients who would prefer to make payments toward the total cost, Valladolid Plastic Surgery accepts financing through CareCredit.
In a nutshell, an open rhinoplasty involves an incision along the columella (the tissue that separates the nostrils) while a closed rhinoplasty makes incisions hidden within the nostrils. Both approaches are successful, but your specific goals for your rhinoplasty may dictate whether Dr. Valladolid performs open or closed rhinoplasty on your nose. Open rhinoplasty is generally the better method for making structural changes to the nose.
With closed rhinoplasty, because the incisions are placed inside the nostrils, the scarring is never visible. As for open rhinoplasty, while you will have a visible scar along the columella at first, thanks to Dr. Valladolid’s delicate incision technique, that slight scar should fade from sight over time.
Although it can take up to a year for swelling to fully subside, the results are worth the wait. Typically, your nose job results last indefinitely. While the results from certain other cosmetic procedures will eventually fade due to the unstoppable effects of aging, rhinoplasty permanently alters the structure of your nose.
A treatment known as “liquid nose job” has become popular in the past decade. Patients who do not wish to undergo surgery but want to make changes like minimizing a bump on the nasal bridge or fixing a symmetry issue may choose to use dermal fillers (usually brands with hyaluronic acid like Juvederm or Restylane) to achieve these changes. The results from liquid rhinoplasty are safe, painless and effective, but obviously will require regular follow-up appointments and injections to maintain the results.
Among plastic surgeons, rhinoplasty is widely considered one of the most difficult cosmetic procedures to perform. Getting great results requires your surgeon to have precise technique and advanced anatomical knowledge. While you should always seek plastic surgery from a top, reputable surgeon, this is especially true when it comes to rhinoplasty. Dr. Valladolid has the credentials and technical proficiency to ensure you will be thrilled with your results.
For more information about rhinoplasty, our team invites you to call (480) 770-5015 and request a consultation with Dr. Valladolid today.