What You Need to Know About Rhinoplasty
How much does a rhinoplasty cost?
The cost of a rhinoplasty depends on a variety of factors including the complexity of the surgery, whether previous surgery was performed (revision rhinoplasty), and if there is the need to operate on other sites to obtain cartilage or tissue grafts. In addition, geography can also affect the price of surgery. It is no surprise that rhinoplasty done in higher cost-of-living areas costs more than that of lower cost-of-living cities. That being said, the cost of primary rhinoplasty in my Portland practice starts at around $15,000. This total includes surgery fees, anesthesia fees, and operating room fees as well as all preoperative and postoperative visits.
When searching for a surgeon to do your rhinoplasty, one possible pitfall is choosing the least expensive option as surgeons who charge the lowest prices often have a rhinoplasty surgery volume or experience commensurate with their prices. It is widely acknowledged that rhinoplasty is the most difficult of plastic surgery operations, so going to someone with little experience can lead to a higher rate of revision surgery. In the end, if you need several surgeries to get the nose that you desire, then the total cost may be much higher than if you had initially gone with experience over price.
Can I get a rhinoplasty redone if I have a “botched” nose?
Various problems may arise after a poorly done nose surgery. All too often we see patients who have had surgery done elsewhere where there are avoidable complications that need correction. These include, but are not limited to, significant asymmetry, breathing issues, and shape issues such as the “inverted-V deformity” (collapse of the midsection of the nose due to lack of support), “pollybeak deformity” (the cartilage portion of the hump remains after bony hump removal), and the “open roof deformity” (insufficient movement of bone).
Because these issues can be difficult to fix, choosing the right rhinoplasty surgeon to do your revision is paramount. Currently in my practice, approximately 25% of my rhinoplasties are revisions of other surgeons’ operations.
Can I get a rhinoplasty and maintain my unique look?
My philosophy is to give you a result that you love. To that end, your nose may exhibit certain family or ethnic traits that you may want to keep even if those traits don’t align to what some deem an “ideal” shape. It is then possible to soften some of those traits while not completely eliminating them through a well-performed ethnic rhinoplasty. In order to achieve a great result, it takes a surgeon with experience and a keen understanding of what it takes to get the result you desire.
Can men get rhinoplasty?
More and more men are choosing to undergo rhinoplasty surgery. When performed correctly with the most advanced techniques, the male nose can be reshaped such that it retains a balanced, masculine profile. While the basic surgical process is similar, male anatomy is different and therefore needs an alternative approach due to differences in size, skin thickness, and overall aesthetic “ideals.” I perform a high volume of male rhinoplasty surgeries each year for men who come from Portland, Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.
Is rhinoplasty just for looks?
Although the majority of patients in my practice desire rhinoplasty for aesthetic reasons, some of those patients also have nasal obstruction and therefore require “functional rhinoplasty.” In those cases, patients often exhibit one or more anatomical problems that can be fixed through surgery. These include a deviated septum (bone and cartilage that is shifted to one or both sides of the nose), nasal valve collapse (inward movement of the nasal soft tissue), and turbinate hypertrophy (swollen mucous membranes that take up precious space in the nasal airway). An examination to assess the nature of the obstruction is needed to determine what techniques are required, but rest assured that my overall goal is to optimize the form AND the function of your nose.
Call the office to schedule a consultation with me to learn more about rhinoplasty and how it may benefit you. I hope you found my first blog post to be informative. See you soon!