Nose surgery at our New York City or Connecticut practice is performed for cosmetic enhancement, to correct functional problems with the nose, or both. We typically refer to cosmetic nose surgery as rhinoplasty and, because most rhinoplasties are considered elective, they are rarely covered by health insurance. However, for some men and women in New York, rhinoplasty is performed to correct a birth defect or a deformity caused by trauma. In cases such as these, some insurance plans will cover all or part of the surgery.

Septoplasty

We’ve all heard about celebrities who have improved the appearance of their nose through surgery, then said that their surgery was to correct a deviated septum. This has caused some people to develop a suspicion that a “deviated septum” is merely a made-up condition that serves as an excuse for cosmetic nose surgery.

This is, quite simply, not true. In fact, many people do suffer from a deviated septum, which can cause breathing problems, chronic sinusitis, snoring and sleep apnea. Septoplasty is the procedure performed to straighten the septum (the wall of bone and cartilage that divides the inside of the nose) and provide relief from these conditions. Since septoplasty is usually medically indicated, most health insurance companies will pay for all or part of the procedure.

Combined Procedures

Many of our patients will combine septoplasty or functional nose surgery with cosmetic rhinoplasty to improve both the appearance and function of their nose. In cases such as these, insurance may cover a portion of the surgical costs, but the final determination is up to the insurance company. Talk to the office staff at your surgeon’s office to see if they will work with your insurance company to determine coverage for medically beneficial nose surgeries.

Men visit my facial cosmetic surgery practice in Toronto for the same reasons as women – to look more attractive and hold onto their youth. I make sure my patients understand the differences between what makes a man’s face look attractive and what makes a woman’s face look attractive. Men want to look younger, but they usually don’t want to look “pretty.”

Let’s review some popular procedures and how they can be adapted to preserve masculinity.

• Brow lifts raise a sagging forehead and eyebrows. While high, arched eyebrows are often attractive in women, masculinity is often better-enhanced by thick, lower-set brows that don’t obstruct the upper eyelids.
• Eyelid lifts produce more masculine results when the upper lid retains a slight fullness, as opposed to a more feminine, deep, well-defined eyelid crease.
• Facelifts vary for men mainly in the incision placement, because men often have receding hairlines. The surgeon must also account for men’s thicker skin and facial hair (like sideburns and beards).
• Nose surgery improves the shape and function of the nose. Rhinoplasy surgeons in Toronto should understand that a strong, straight nose enhances masculinity as opposed to a softly rounded nose. Many men benefit from lifting the tip of the nose, as it commonly droops with age.

Cosmetic surgery, when performed by an experienced professional with well-developed aesthetic understanding, can give men a rejuvenated appearance without sacrificing the attributes that make them look masculine.

Most people considering a “nose job” (technically known as rhinoplasty) want to reduce, not increase, the size of their nose. But there are some patients who ask me how I can help them make their nose look “longer” or “thinner.” Each nose job in Houston is an extremely individualized procedure, so what works for any one patient may not be best for another, but here are the 3 basic ways I usually recommend to make the nose look longer:

• Augmenting the bridge: This option can be one of the quickest and least invasive ways to get a slimmer nose, and it works mainly by an optical illusion – when your bridge extends even a little bit farther from your face, it gives a clearer vertical line to the nasal dorsum. This visually narrows the entire nose and helps de-emphasize the width of the nose tip. Depending on the patient, I can sometimes perform this enhancement using just injectables (though of course, that approach is not permanent).
• Narrowing the nose: Rarely, I will come across a patient whose nasal bridge is wide but not prominent – usually because their facial structure is wider or more squareish in general. In these cases I can adjust the structure of the bridge to reduce the extra bone and cartilage just enough to give the nose a narrower, longer look.
• Refining the tip: In general I try to avoid performing extensive changes to the nose tip since I think that “overdoing” this area is a mistake a lot of surgeons make. Even so, a few very small adjustments can sometimes give much better definition to a wide nose tip. This visibly “narrows” the nose, which indirectly helps it look longer.

Of course, some patients will need a combination of these approaches or the addition of another technique entirely, so be sure to speak with a highly trained and experienced surgeon in detail before you get “set” on any one option.

It can be easy to use hypotheticals when discussing cosmetic surgery. We can rattle off a list of reasons for considering a procedure like rhinoplasty and say that the outcome “could” be one way or another – but what does that really mean to someone trying to decide on a procedure? I think that it can be helpful to talk about what has actually been achieved, giving people an idea of what others like them have accomplished.

So, today I’m going to share the story of Eva, one of my wonderful rhinoplasty patients. As you’re reading along, I think many of you are going to recognize much of what you are thinking and feeling about your own nose.

Eva’s Story

Eva was bothered by a nose she thought was “too big for her face” – and she wasn’t alone. Her sister had a similarly large nose with a prominent hump. The sisters shared their frustration and did some research about rhinoplasty. These wise women quickly realized that one of the most important decision about surgery was choosing between rhinoplasty surgeons in Los Angeles. They recognized that they would be putting their health and their appearance in a surgeon’s hands, and wanted to pick wisely. Ultimately, Eva came to me for a consultation.

Planning for Surgery

During her consultation, Eva and I discussed what she wanted to accomplish with surgery. She was interested in reducing her hump and even having a slight curve inward. I explained to her that we should be careful not to over-correct.

I also pointed out a change that Eva had never considered: very slightly shortening of the tip of her nose. While many of my patients think they know what needs to be done to improve their nose, they’re often pleasantly surprised by the unexpected changes I suggest, changes that make all the difference in achieving an attractive result. It’s an area where your surgeon’s experience means a lot – have they performed enough rhinoplasty procedures to recognize what your nose needs?

Eva’s Results

Eva was thrilled with her results. Friends and family remarked that her new nose looked “more natural” than the way her nose had looked before surgery. Her husband said that the new nose allowed her eyes and her smile to really stand out, much more than they had before.

The “injectable” nose job is an interesting new procedure that has been getting a lot of media hype lately. The name alone provokes curiosity, and sounds like something straight out of science fiction. Can a simple injection give you the ideal nose you’ve always wanted? For the vast majority of my Denver rhinoplasty patients, the answer is “no.”

The concept behind the injectable nose job or nonsurgical rhinoplasty is that, by injecting dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM®, RADIESSE®, or Restylane®, the doctor can re-shape the nose without incisions. However, before you sign up for nonsurgical rhinoplasty, consider the facts:

• Fillers can only correct small irregularities, such as depressions, bumps, minor nose asymmetries or a droopy tip.
• Results from dermal filler injections are temporary, lasting from a few months up to a year.
• The nonsurgical nose job can only disguise irregularities; it does nothing to permanently correct them.
• The use of fillers in the nose can cause problems if you decide to undergo surgical rhinoplasty.

If you are unhappy with the size or shape of your nose, you deserve to have it corrected permanently. Although surgical rhinoplasty involves some discomfort and downtime, you’ll have the nose you want afterwards, and no more painful and costly injections. A re-shaped nose can bring balance and harmony to the entire face, and with surgical rhinoplasty, you can enjoy your results without counting the days until they disappear.

When you hear of an actress (such as Jennifer Aniston) who is reported to have had nose surgery for a “deviated septum,” you may be in the camp that believes such a condition is only an excuse for a self-conscious star to get a new look. But the fact is that a deviated septum is much more than an excuse for cosmetic surgery; it is a legitimate condition that often requires surgical intervention.

The nasal septum is the wall of thin bone and cartilage between the nostrils. Almost everyone has a slightly crooked septum (deviated septum) due to genetics or injury, but most people will not require surgery to correct it. However, when the septum is very crooked, people may experience breathing difficulties or problems with snoring.

When difficulty breathing and snoring become too pronounced, many doctors will recommend a septoplasty to straighten the nasal septum. In correcting a deviated septum, skilled plastic surgeons will often produce a nose that is visibly straighter and more attractive. After all, a plastic surgeon should have a talent for combining function and aesthetics in every procedure that they perform. I find this is especially so for my San Diego rhinoplasty patients.

Celebrities may have noses that look great after surgery, but that doesn’t mean their procedures were completely cosmetic. I don’t think anyone can fault a person for wanting to breathe easier.

If you’re considering a rhinoplasty, you may need to step back and take a “big picture” look at the rest of your features. Because, as many of my Boca Raton rhinoplasty patients discover, your chin and cheeks make a significant difference in your overall appearance. If you see that your nose isn’t the only feature that is affecting the balance of your face, your surgeon may suggest an additional or alternative treatment: chin and cheek implants.

Why Choose Chin & Cheek Implants

There are several reasons to consider chin and cheek implants.

• A recessed chin, often referred to as a “weak chin,” can be especially bothersome for men. A chin implant can improve the strength and masculinity of your appearance.
• Some people have a “hollow” look to their face, which tends to become more significant with age. One of the standards of facial beauty is full, prominent cheekbones and this can be accomplished with cheek implants.

A more general reason for choosing facial implants is that they can improve the overall balance of your features, often enhancing the results of other facial sculpting procedures such as facelifts and eyelid tucks (blepharoplasties). Many of my nose surgery patients in Boca Raton find that facial implants greatly improve the results of their rhinoplasty procedure.

Sometimes, our Toronto rhinoplasty clinic has to turn away individuals because the procedure, and cosmetic surgery in general, is not a viable solution for their problem.

Here are 3 of the most common reasons why a responsible physician would have to turn a potential rhinoplasty patient away:

1.You’re doing it for some one else. All cosmetic surgery procedures are designed for individuals that primarily want to do it for themselves – not to please another person. Undergoing an invasive procedure like rhinoplasty just because your partner, friend, or other wants you to is destined to have a negative outcome. In most cases, you won’t be satisfied with the results but you’ will be the one who has to deal with it as well as endure the procedure. It’s better to address the true reason why your partner, friend or other wants you to have a nose job.

2. You’ve had a previous rhinoplasty, not once, but several times and you still aren’t happy with the results. Secondary rhinoplasty is for individuals who have had a previous nose job, whether it is for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. However, if you’ve already had several nose jobs in the past, and the outcome is still not up to your standards, then you’ve got to re-examine what exactly you want corrected or re-think why you want to undergo the procedure in the first place. Perhaps your goals weren’t expressed accurately during the consultative process, your expectations are unrealistic or your desires are constantly changing. Regardless, chances are the next nose job you undergo won’t achieve results you’re going to be happy with.

3. You haven’t done your research. Someone who walks in without any knowledge of rhinoplasty is unprepared for the good and bad things that can be related to the procedure. Sure, the consultation is an opportunity to find out more information, however it’s up to the individual to explore other mediums. A ton of resources can be found quite easily, whether on the internet, at the library, or even just by chatting with friends. It’s vital you do your homework, since it will improve the level of satisfaction resulting from surgery.

I’ve performed plenty of rhinoplasty procedures over the years, and I think the shape of the nasal tip is one of the factors that can really “make or break” the aesthetics of your results. Some Seattle rhinoplasty patients don’t need tip surgery at all, but if you do (or you think you do), these two “tips” should help you avoid a few of the more common pitfalls:

1 – Look Elsewhere First

There are plenty of optical illusions involved in how large, long, or prominent the nose looks, and very often what seems to be a problem with the shape of the nose tip actually has more to do with some other factor entirely.

Examples:

• A nose that dips downward, particularly when a patient smiles, often can be improved just by trimming a tiny muscle between the nostrils.
• In many cases taking care of a “hump” on the top of the nose will correct the illusion that the nose looked “hooked.”
• A “wide” nose tip often can be corrected just by adding volume to the upper portion of the nose tip, instead of removing tissue.

2 – Rotate, Don’t Remove

In some cases a patient will need their nose tip reduced. However, tiny changes in the angle of the nose tip can correct “big” problems with the nose tip entirely, without substantially reducing the size of the tip.

Example:

• By rotating a “downward-pointing” nasal tip up, I can often create a more attractive appearance without significant removal of tissue. Where it’s appropriate, this technique tends to create results that look more natural, as it doesn’t interfere with the skin or the shape of the nose in the same way that a reduction procedure would.

By: David Mabrie, MD, FACS

I take plenty of care in my rhinoplasty procedures to minimize recovery times and post-procedure discomfort as much as possible, but the fact is that rhinoplasty is an invasive procedure, and every patient will have some “downtime” during recovery. Here are some basic facts that can help you make the best choices for a faster and generally more positive recovery from Oakland area nose surgery.

#1 – Recovery WILL Vary Among Patients

Everyone’s body handles nose surgery a little differently, so I review my patients’ health history carefully before I even suggest a surgical plan. Why? Because I want to make sure I’m not giving their body a challenge that it won’t be able to handle well. A few factors that will make a difference:

• How extensive your desired procedure is – For example, a septoplasty which affects the inner structures of the nose will take longer to heal than a procedure where I adjust the nose tip only
• Your age and health – Smokers and diabetics require more time to recover, and problems like poor nutrition and anemia can add additional time. Age isn’t necessarily a “big” issue – I’ve performed procedures for healthy 70-year-olds that I’ve refused for very unhealthy 30-year-olds – but it can make a difference
• Whether you’re on medication – Even herbal supplements can influence blood flow, immunity, and other factors that play into the tissue-rebuilding process. Be open with your doctor about anything you are taking.

#2 – Different Surgeons DO Handle Recovery Differently

I try to take whatever steps I can to make recovery faster and easier on the patient. For me this means:

• Favoring minimally-invasive approaches like Oakland area “injectable” rhinoplasty when I can.
• Avoiding the need for “packing” after surgery. Some rhinoplasty surgeons will pack the nose tightly with bandages or cotton. This isn’t necessarily a “bad” practice, but it makes recovery more uncomfortable and I’ve found that most of the time I can avoid the need for it.

My advice: Communicate with your surgeon. You won’t know your surgeon’s stance on issues like candidacy and recovery unless you ask.