Nose Surgery

What is Nose Surgery?

Nose surgery, also known as Rhinoplasty, in Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts, is a procedure that improves the proportion and harmony of the face through correcting the size and/or shape of the nose. This procedure can also be done to correct medical issues, such as impaired breathing due to structural defects like a deviated septum.

Am I a good candidate for nose surgery?

Ideal candidates for nose surgery are physically healthy men and women whose nose is completely done growing, and individuals that have realistic goals for the surgery. Individuals who smoke may not be ideal candidates for any surgical procedure.

Rhinoplasty – Patient 121
A woman in her early 20’s who was interested in chin augmentation and rhinoplasty. She did not like the overall shape of her nose and the dorsal hump, and also feels that her chin is too small for her face. She also had a history of nasal obstruction and would snore at night and wake up with a dry mouth in the morning. She is shown before and again, 6 weeks after an open rhinoplasty with straightening of her septum and placement of spreader grafts to correct collapse of the internal nasal valve. She had a solid silicone anatomic chin implant placed through an incision under the chin at the same time. Her nasal obstruction is improved, and she is thrilled with her natural appearing improvement. The nose looks better already at the 6 week mark but will typically continue to improve in the tip area over the next 3 years as swelling gradually resolves.
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Rhinoplasty – Patient 120
An early ( 6 week) result on a woman in her late 30’s who was bothered by the appearance of her nose as well as by difficulty breathing. She had a severely deviated septum as well as obstruction of the “internal valve” of the nose ( the kind of obstruction that is improved with BreathRite strips) Because of this obstruction she would snore at night and wake up with a dry mouth in the morning. She also felt that her nose was too large for her face and was crooked. She is shown before and again, 6 weeks after an open rhinoplasty with septoplasty and bilateral spreader graft placement. Her chin is slightly “weak” and her facial balance could be improved further with a chin implant but she elected not to have this done at this time. The postoperative photos show that the nose is much straighter in appearance and the tip has more refinement. The tip shape will typically continue to improve over the next 3 years as the swelling slowly resolves. She is already thrilled with her early result, and her breathing is dramatically better.
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Rhinoplasty – Patient 119
following a nasal fracture playing basketball in high school. Although his fracture was apparently reduced at the time he had almost complete obstruction of both sides of his nose, with his nasal septum collapsed like a accordion. He is shown before and again, 6 weeks after an extracorporeal septoplasty/open rhinoplasty. In a case like this the septum is removed completely, straightened on the surgical table and attached to a pds plate ( a dissolvable plastic like material) to stabilized it and then placed back into the nose. Spreader grafts were placed at the same time. He is shown 6 weeks after surgery and not only is he able to breath normally again, but his nose is much straighter.
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Rhinoplasty – Patient 118
A 16 year followup on a woman after an open rhinoplasty and chin augmentation using a silicone Flower’s mandibular glove implant. She had her original surgery in her 20’s. She remains thrilled with her dramatic and yet still natural improvement.
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Rhinoplasty – Patient 117
A student in her late teens who was referred by her ENT because of severe nasal obstruction. She was struck with a dodgeball in the nose a year early, and had had significant trouble breathing through her nose ever since. She snored at night and would wake up with a dry mouth in the morning, She is shown 8 weeks after a reconstructive rhinoplasty with correction of her deviated septum and bilateral spreader graft placement. ( like a “breath rite” strip inside the nose). We improved her small dorsal hump and bulbous tip at the same time. The nose appears much straighter and in better balance. The tip definition will typically continue to improve for 3 years after surgery. She is already thrilled with her early result and able to breathe through her nose now.
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What are my options for nose surgery?

There are two main techniques used for rhinoplasty today: the open procedure and the closed procedure. A closed procedure involves hidden incisions made inside the nose, while an open procedure entails an incision outside of the nose, or along the slim strip of tissue that separates the nostrils, called the columella.

Depending on the patient’s goals for the outcome of the surgery, bone or cartilage can be removed to reduce the size of the nose, while cartilage grafts may also be required.

What should I expect during recovery?

Typically, it takes about 10 to 14 days for most of the swelling and bruising to heal following nose surgery, and a nasal splint is often placed for the first week. Bruising under the eyes and brief nausea from anesthesia are normal side effects. Patients are advised to avoid straining, bending and lifting, as well as wearing eye glasses immediately after the procedure.

In most cases, patients return to work within two weeks, once the bruising has depleted. However, more strenuous activities should be avoided for about six weeks. Although the results are immediate after surgery, the overall contour continues to improve for two to three years. As with any invasive procedure, there are risks involved with nose surgery. Ruptures of small surface vessels on the nose, infections, and poor wound healing are all complications that can arise.

How long will results last?

Rhinoplasty results are permanent. However, rhinoplasty revision surgery is also an option.

“Dr. Hall and his staff are great. They are friendly and made me feel comfortable. Dr. Hall is very knowledgeable and put me at ease regarding my surgery.”

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