FAQ

Why do patients undergo nasal surgery?

Nasal Surgery is a method used to reshape the nose, and/or correct a nasal airway obstruction. Reshaping the nose is done for one of two reasons: a traumatic nasal deformity in which an undesirable shaped nose is a result of an injury, or a cosmetically unacceptable deformity resulting from inheritance. A septoplasty (SMR) should not change the shape of the nose; rather it is performed to correct an obstructed nasal passage causing difficulty in breathing. However, in some cases, if your nose is crooked, septoplasty will help straighten the nose.

How can I be sure that my surgeon will sculpt my nose to my liking?

It is almost impossible to guarantee the results of Nasal Surgery. Through experience, your surgeon will be able in most cases, to predict the desired improvement. Your surgeon should be able to show you photographs of his/her work performed on previous Rhinoplasty patients. Remember, it is important to evaluate the surgical outcomes based on the difficulty of the pre-operative nose. It is also important for the surgeon to create a nose that fits, or is in proportion to the rest of the face. Nasal Surgery is one of the most difficult procedures in cosmetic surgery. It requires artistry, experience, and the ability to think in three dimensions. With today's new and advanced techniques, the "operated look" should be a thing of the past.

How long will it take for my nose to heal?

Nasal Surgery is usually an operation that involves tip sculpting, as well as changing the shape of the dorsum (requiring nasal bone fracture). The nose is usually splinted and packed. The packing is usually removed within one to five days. The splint stays in place for one week. The majority of swelling and bruising should resolve within three weeks. The final result of your Nasal Surgery should be evaluated in one to two years. The nose will continue to remodel and change shape over a one to two year period of time.

I have a flat bridge with a full nasal tip and wide nostrils. What can be done to make my nose less ethnic and more "westernized"?

There is no clinically proven increased incidence of auto immune or collagen vascular disease in implanted women. The development of such diseases is independent of breast implants.

I have a flat bridge with a full nasal tip and wide nostrils. What can be done to make my nose less ethnic and more "westernized"?

Special techniques in Nasal Surgery have been performed on ethnic noses to correct a low, flat dorsum, sculpt the tip, and narrow the nostrils. A technique known as Augmentation Nasal Surgery is used to add bone, cartilage, or synthetic materials to obtain the desired result.

When can my child undergo Nasal Surgery?

It is important to allow the nose to fully develop before performing Nasal Surgery. Most surgeons perform Nasal Surgery on patients at age sixteen. However, the decision to perform Nasal Surgery is based on nasal development. Nasal Surgery changes the way a patient looks unlike other facial cosmetic procedures which makes the patient look more youthful. It is important, as with all teenage surgeries, that the patient has the maturity to accept his/her new body image.

Will my insurance company pay for Nasal Surgery?

Insurance companies should pay for the correction of deformities that result from injury or trauma. They also should pay for medical conditions such as breathing difficulty. They will not pay for cosmetic deformities. However, with the philosophy of medical cost containment, and managed care, insurance companies have been making reimbursement for Nasal Surgery more difficult. It is therefore prudent for the patient to inquire about surgical fees, anesthesia fees, as well as operating room fees before surgery so that the patient may better understand his/her financial responsibilities.

Information on this page is not a substitute for medical consultation or advice. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss the best treatments for you.

Call for a complimentary consultation:

(914) 241-7111
Lexington Avenue Suite 104
Mount Kisco, NY 10549

(914) 997-9090
311 North Street Suite 408
White Plains, NY 10605

(718) 548-5200
3333 Henry Hudson Parkway Suite 1-A
Riverdale, NY 10463