Rhinoplasty is my favorite operation in Plastic Surgery.
The impact that subtle changes in the nose can have on overall facial appearance as well as the complexity of nasal anatomy makes rhinoplasty the most fascinating procedure in cosmetic surgery.
Dr. Charles Thorne is an expert, Park Avenue plastic surgeon who has been performing rhinoplasty surgery in New York, NY, area for over 30 years. Dr. Thorne has been practicing, teaching, and writing about aesthetic surgery of the face for his entire career and has held numerous leadership positions in organized plastic surgery including Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
What are you looking for in your nose surgery? Everyone is different and every nose is different, but there are a few things that MOST people have in common. Most patients want to look more elegant or more handsome, but they don't want people to say, "Hey, you had a nose job." They want the nose to fit the face so that other people are attracted to the whole face, not the surgery! The other thing almost all female patients say is, "I don't want a tiny, turned-up nose."
Because of Dr. Thorne’s experience, he also frequently cares for patients who are dissatisfied with a previous nose job or who have difficulty breathing after a previous rhinoplasty or septoplasty.
Rhinoplasty (nose job) before and after surgery
Planning Your Rhinoplasty Procedure
Goals
The goal of the rhinoplasty consultation is to determine what you, the patient, want and to determine to what extent it is surgically achievable. The goal of the surgery is to deliver the changes that you and I have agreed upon in the pre-operative visits.
Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about rhinoplasty, we invite you to meet Dr. Thorne, either via virtual or in-person consultation. He will take the time necessary to explain the procedure, including the risks and potential benefits and answer any questions or concerns you may have. To schedule your consultation, please contact us online or give us a call at (212) 794-0044.
Technique
Rhinoplasty technique has changed over the last three decades. The current philosophy is to preserve more nasal tissue and more nasal function than in the past. The shape of the nose is determined primarily by bone in the upper part of the nose and by a combination of skin thickness and cartilage in the nasal tip. These structures are modified surgically in order to change the shape of the nose. Skin thickness cannot be altered. Thick skin limits the visibility of the cartilage in the nasal tip and thin skin reveals any imperfection.
Breathing problems
Patients who have difficulty breathing are examined to determine if anything surgical can be done to improve the situation. If so, your insurance company may help with the cost of the functional portion of the procedure. Insurance will NOT help you with the cosmetic portion of the procedure.
What to Expect During Treatment
On the day of your procedure, you will be taken to a private, accredited surgical suite or in some cases the out-patient portion of the hospital. Rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia, but in some cases can be performed under monitored sedation.
Incisions
Once you are comfortable, Dr. Thorne will begin the procedure. The location of the incisions depends on the imperfections being addressed. For the reduction of a hump on the nasal bridge or to thin the nasal tip, the incisions can sometimes be limited to inside the nose. Most modern rhinoplasties and certainly complex or re-do rhinoplasties require an open approach, in which the incisions within the nose are connected by an incision across the columella. Luckily, the incision across the columella is almost never visible.
Sutures and Bandages
At the conclusion of the procedure, Dr. Thorne will place tape and a plastic splint over the nose. The splint and sutures are usually removed after 4-6 days. You will immediately see the improvement in your nasal shape, although the final result takes a while to emerge. The bruising will disappear and you will be able to appear in public in about one week. Approximately 2/3 of the swelling will be gone after a month and the last 1/3 takes about a year.
Financing is Available
The overall cost of nose surgery depends on the maneuvers that are required in your individual case. As mentioned above, if there is an airway obstruction component to the surgery, your insurance may help you with that portion. To help offset costs, Dr. Thorne accepts CareCredit® financing to assist with out-of-pocket expenses.
To see before and after images, please click Nose Surgery Gallery.
Dr. Thorne is the Editor-in-Chief and the author of several chapters in Grabb and Smith's PLASTIC SURGERY, 7th Edition.
