Rhinoplasty In Minneapolis St. Paul, MN
Everyone’s nose is different, and is a prominent feature affecting the appearance of your face. For both men and women, dissatisfaction with the shape or size of the nose leads them to consider plastic surgery to reshape or resize this facial feature. Heredity is the main factor that determines the shape of your nose, although injuries to the nose can also alter its appearance and affect your breathing. If your nose causes you concern and you think that changing it will help your self-image and improve your appearance, nose reshaping may be right for you.
Plastic surgeons can improve most appearance problems involving the nose. Often, small changes have a big impact on appearance, and nose reshaping is a frequent procedure for plastic surgeons. Some of the things rhinoplasty can correct include:
- A too-large nose in proportion with other facial features.
- Difficulty breathing through the nose.
- An overly wide nose.
- Bumps on the bridge of the nose.
- A bulbous or enlarged nasal tip.
- A nasal tip that droops or is too upturned.
- An off-center or crooked nose.
- Oversized or excessively flared nostrils.
- Asymmetrical nose due to previous injury.
Evaluating Your Nose in a Consultation
When you have a nose-reshaping consultation with Dr. McCue, he will ask you about your current health, current medications and medical history, along with any previous injuries or surgeries on your nose. He’ll ask you to describe what bothers you about your nose and what results you’d like to achieve. Dr. McCue will examine your nose, both externally and internally and assess its size and shape in relationship to your other facial features, along with your skin type. He may also take measurements and photographs. He will then make recommendations about reshaping your nose and give you a good idea of what results you can expect. You’ll learn about the surgical procedures, the risks involved in the surgery, the cost of the surgery, and you’ll get answers to all of your questions.
Types of Rhinoplasty
Dr. McCue can perform several types of rhinoplasty:
Open Rhinoplasty
When performing open rhinoplasty, Dr. McCue places a small incision on the columella, the strip of tissue that separates your nostrils. This allows him ample access to the inner structure of the nose for complex nose reshaping procedures.
Closed Rhinoplasty
If smaller modifications are requested for the nose, Dr. McCue may be able to perform closed rhinoplasty, in which all the incisions are placed inside the nostrils (therefore creating no visible scarring).
Functional Rhinoplasty
A functional rhinoplasty, or septoplasty, is a surgery that makes improving breathing the top priority. Dr. McCue can straighten a deviated septum so that air flows through the nose normally. Sometimes, a patient will request cosmetic and functional elements in a single procedure.
Male Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular forms of male plastic surgery. Dr. McCue takes a slightly different approach to male rhinoplasty since the traits that make a male nose attractive can be different than what is typically requested by women. Usually, this means creating a nose that is bigger, wider, and has prominent nostrils.
Revision Rhinoplasty
When a patient is not fully satisfied with a prior nose job, revision rhinoplasty by another surgeon is appropriate. Because the nose is more delicate after a rhinoplasty and the revision techniques are more challenging, it is important to select an outstanding plastic surgeon to perform this surgery.
Rhinoplasty Procedures – What to Expect
After you make a decision to go ahead with nose reshaping, Dr. McCue will schedule the surgery and select a Twin Cities location for the surgery with you. Nose reshaping is often done on an outpatient basis, so you’ll probably be able to go home on the day of the surgery. Some nose reshaping is done under local anesthesia, while other procedures require general anesthesia.
Different surgical procedures are used for each type of condition. In some cases, all incisions are made inside the nose, but small, inconspicuous external incisions are needed for some surgeries. Dr. McCue will discuss the exact procedures he will use with you prior to the surgery.
Rhinoplasty Recovery and Results
After your surgery, you’ll recover for a time in a recovery room. You’ll receive medication for discomfort both in the recovery room and to take with you. A splint may be present to protect your nose for several days, and soft packing may also be used inside of your nose. You’ll be given detailed self-care instruction before you return home. You can expect some bruising to appear around the eyes and cheeks, but this will fade in a few days, and can be concealed with makeup after the first couple of days. Swelling can be significant and uncomfortable, but will diminish over time. You should be able to return to work within a week to ten days. Follow-up visits with Dr. McCue will be scheduled. As the bruising and swelling decrease, you’ll see the results of your surgery, and improvements will continue over the next months.
Rhinoplasty FAQs
What is Rhinoplasty, and What Issues Can It Address?
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that enhances nose shape, symmetry, and functionality.
Here at McCue Plastic Surgery, our highly experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan McCue, is known for his natural, beautiful rhinoplasty results in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
Rhinoplasty can address concerns such as:
- A dorsal hump (nose bridge bump)
- A crooked or asymmetrical nose
- A bulbous or drooping nasal tip
- Wide or flared nostrils
- Breathing difficulties due to structural issues inside the nose
In some cases, the reason for rhinoplasty is both cosmetic and functional. Dr. McCue can combine approaches as needed so that this surgery can improve appearance and breathing.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?
Ideal candidates for rhinoplasty meet these criteria.
- Health: Good overall health
- Age: Fully developed nasal structures (typically age 16+)
- Personal Goals: Unhappy with the size or shape of their nose or looking for a solution to improve breathing
- Expectations: Realistic expectations about the results
Dr. McCue evaluates each patient’s goals to determine the best surgical approach.
What is the Difference Between Open and Closed Rhinoplasty?
Open rhinoplasty involves an incision under the nose (columella,) allowing Dr. McCue to expose the nasal anatomy for a clear view as he works. A closed rhinoplasty uses only internal incisions, minimizing visible scars.
An open rhinoplasty allows for more extensive corrections, but a closed one can precisely target certain issues. The choice depends on the complexity of the correction needed.
What Does a Functional Rhinoplasty Do?
Functional rhinoplasty corrects breathing issues caused by:
- Deviated Septum
- Nasal Valve Collapse
- Enlarged Turbinates
Some patients who need a functional rhinoplasty also request
cosmetic improvements to achieve balanced, long-lasting results.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient surgery, so you can return home to start your recovery that same day. Recovery varies by patient and with the complexity of the procedure but generally follows this timeline:
- 1st Week: Swelling and bruising peak; nasal splint removed
- 2-4 Weeks: Most swelling subsides, and normal activities resume
- 3-6 Months: Subtle swelling decreases, and shape refines
- Within a Year: Final results are fully visible
Dr. McCue provides detailed post-op instructions to ensure proper healing.
Will I Have Visible Scars After Rhinoplasty?
Closed rhinoplasty leaves no external scars. Open rhinoplasty involves a small incision underneath the nose, which fades over time and is barely visible once healed.
What is Functional Rhinoplasty Versus Cosmetic Rhinoplasty?
Functional rhinoplasty focuses on improving nasal function rather than aesthetics. It corrects breathing problems caused by structural abnormalities while maintaining or enhancing the nose’s natural shape.
Can Rhinoplasty Fix a Deviated Septum?
Yes. A septoplasty is often performed alongside rhinoplasty to straighten a deviated septum, improving airflow and reducing nasal obstructions.
What is Revision Rhinoplasty, and When is It Necessary?
Revision rhinoplasty corrects lingering problems from a previous nose surgery. It may be necessary for patients who:
- Are unhappy with their initial rhinoplasty results
- Experience breathing issues after surgery
- Have residual deformities, like nasal bossae (cartilage bumps on the lower nose) that need further refinement
Revision procedures require advanced surgical skills, which Dr. McCue provides with precision and care.
What is the price of rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is unique to every patient, so the cost of your surgery will reflect the types of changes you have requested and the techniques necessary to achieve your goals. Dr. McCue can provide a quote following your consultation.
In most cases, rhinoplasty is considered an elective procedure, but insurance may cover some of the costs if surgery is necessary to improve breathing.
How long can I enjoy my rhinoplasty results?
Although some plastic surgery procedures are eventually affected by aging, rhinoplasty results can last a lifetime because your nose largely holds its shape. Remember that seeing your final results as the swelling subsides may require patience.
First Steps Toward a More Pleasing Nose
If you’ve been considering changes to the appearance of your nose, your first step in making those changes is an appointment for a consultation with Dr. McCue. In that appointment you’ll learn all the things you need to know about rhinoplasty, so you can make your own personal, fully informed decision. Contact Dr. McCue’s Minneapolis St. Paul office to get started.
