
For many different reasons, an individual may be unhappy with their nose and how it fits on their face. In the Westchester County area, these patients can turn to Dr. Neal Goldberg and his skills in rhinoplasty.
Individuals may experience problems with their self-confidence related to their nose and choose to correct it. In fact, in 2009, more than 250,000 rhinoplasty procedures were performed in the US, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. While rhinoplasty may also correct breathing problems, it can be used to correct the following issues with the nose: too large, too small, bumpy, droopy, crooked, too wide, too narrow, and too short or long.
An ideal patient who finds their nose out of proportion with their facial features should not be using any nasal medication or drugs and should have realistic expectations for the outcome of the surgery.
Click to see more nose surgery before and after photos
Rhinoplasty is typically performed under a local anesthetic with an intravenous sedation and takes one to three hours to complete. The procedure can either be “closed,” meaning all the incisions are made inside the nose, or “open,” meaning an incision is made under the nasal tip, between the nostrils, lifting the skin to gain a clear view of the nasal structure. Most patients benefit from a closed procedure.

This illustration depicts a typical rhinoplasty outcome
Once the surgeon has made the incision, bone and cartilage are reshaped to bring the nose into balance. The bone and cartilage may be reduced, augmented/refined or may require harvesting or grafting. After completion, absorbable sutures are placed in the nose and nasal packing is used to control bleeding. In some cases, a special splint may be used.
Following the procedure, the patient should anticipate healing to last one to two weeks, at which point they may return to a normal routine. Swelling may take some time to subside and pain medication may be prescribed for the first week. After one week, nasal packing may be removed. The patient should avoid most sports and activities with a potential for nose impact for six weeks. Most patients appreciate the effects of the rhinoplasty three to six months after the procedure, but some may take time adjusting to their new appearance.
Like with other surgeries, some complications are possible and may include unsatisfying results, nasal obstruction, bleeding and sinus infection.
In some cases, alternatives to rhinoplasty may achieve a similar result. These may include dermal fillers to contour the nose or chin augmentation to balance a prominent nose.
For more information about rhinoplasty in Scarsdale, NY or Dobbs Ferry, NY contact the office of Westchester plastic surgeon Dr. Neal Goldberg at 914-722-1600.