Find facial harmony
Rhinoplasty is surgery performed on the nose that can dramatically change the appearance of the face. If you are unhappy with the size or shape of your nose, subtle modifications could balance your face and allow other facial features, such as your eyes and the lips, to draw more attention and appreciation.
Nose surgery may also be performed to improve functionality. A deviated septum can impair breathing and cause other complications. Corrective rhinoplasty can open the nasal passages to allow airflow at full capacity, alleviating health problems such as chronic sinusitis, snoring, and sleep apnea.
Many people who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their noses may be surprised to learn that they also have problems with functionality. Approximately 80% of adults have a septum that is deviated to some degree. When it is medically necessary, nose surgery to correct a deviated septum may be covered by health insurance.
At Sinclair Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sinclair can perform rhinoplasty to correct:
Dr. Sinclair can reduce or increase the size of your nose, narrow the span of your nostrils, change the shape of your nose at the tip or the bridge, or change the angle of your nose and upper lip. The goal of nose surgery is not to produce a drastic change, but rather to create a flawless, natural-looking nose that blends well with your other facial features.
How rhinoplasty is performed
Rhinoplasty at Sinclair Plastic Surgery is performed as outpatient surgery under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Depending on the extent of the surgery, this procedure generally takes approximately 1 to 2 hours to perform.
Nose surgery can be performed in either an open or closed procedure. In a closed procedure, small incisions are made inside the nasal cavity, while in an open procedure, an incision is made across the narrow strip of tissue separating the nostrils. An advantage of the closed procedure is that it leaves no visible scarring, as all incisions are located inside the nose.
In either procedure, the soft membrane covering the nose is gently raised so the underlying bone and cartilage can be precisely sculpted, shaped, and thinned to improve the structure of the nose. Cartilage grafted from the septum or other areas of the body can be used to augment the structure as needed. If the patient has a deviated septum, it is straightened in this procedure and projections are removed to open up the airways. Nasal membranes are re-draped and the incisions are closed with sutures.
