Chicago Rhinoplasty (or Nasal Surgery)

Rhinoplasty, one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures, can help men and women of various ages correct or improve the shape or size of their nose. Most patients hope for a nose that's in better proportion to the rest of their facial features. The procedure can also be helpful for people with breathing problems or those who have broken their nose.

A rhinoplasty procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and takes a couple hours to perform. Your surgeon will reshape the cartilage and bone of the nose and then redrape the skin over the new shape. You and your surgeon should openly discuss the look you want and the options you have. Here are some of the specific changes different patients request:

• Reduction or enlargement of overall size
• Alteration of shape of tip or bridge
• Narrow the span of the nostrils
• Change the angle between nose and upper lip
• Correction of birth defect or injury

Rhinoplasty incisions can be inconspicuously placed within the nostrils. In some cases, a different kind of incision is required, but can still be hidden in the natural crease just under the nose.

Most patients experience puffiness and achiness in their face for the first day or two after rhinoplasty surgery, but this can be easily relieved with pain medication. The rest of the recovery period will require that you, for about the first day, rest with your head elevated, and then plan on bruising and swelling to persist for the next few days. Most of this should dissipate about a week after surgery, but a cold compress can help patients get to that point. Most patients can return to work about a week or so after surgery, but it's usually over the course of one year that results continue to take final shape.