Nose (Rhinoplasty) Surgery
In Portland, OR From Dr. John S. Lee M.D.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Nose surgery, also called rhinoplasty, is typically performed to reduce the overall size of the nose, reshape a tip, remove a nasal hump or improve a poor angle between the nose and the upper lip. In some patients it is necessary to add tissue in order to improve contour. Nose surgery enhances facial harmony and boosts self confidence.
During your consultation appointment, Portland plastic surgeon Dr. Lee, will evaluate the overall appearance of your nose, it’s symmetry and how it fits in with the rest of your facial features. He will then discuss your options and recommend a course of reshaping your nose. Dr Lee does not repair broken noses or deviated septums.
Good candidates for a rhinoplasty include those with the following conditions:
- Nose appears too large for face
- A bump or depression on the nasal bridge
- Nose appears too wide
- Nose tip either droops or plunges
- The tip is thickened or enlarged
- Excessively flared nostrils
- Nose is off center of crooked
- An asymmetrical nose due to previous injury
In patients with a weak chin, rhinoplasty can be combined with a chin augmentation procedure.
What is the process for Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)?
To begin the journey you will meet with Dr Lee for a free consult. His consult days are generally Tuesdays and Thursdays. Allow for about 40 minutes. During the consult Dr Lee will listen to all your concerns, do a thorough examination, answer your questions and offer you his recommendations. You will also be given a written quote after the consult.
If you decide to move forward with surgery his scheduling staff will find you a surgery day and then a preoperative appointment about two weeks before the surgery date where you will meet with the nurse and go over pre and post op instructions, sign consents, get prescriptions and make your final payment.
Surgery will be done at CSS (Center for Specialty Surgery) an outside surgery center under general anesthesia.
You will go home the same day and then come back for a two day and then a one week post op appointment. Healing and follow up will continue, Dr Lee recommends about three weeks optimally to be back out in the world looking fabulous.
Dr Lee will guide you through the recovery period at your post op appointments, there is a necessary 7 days of very low activity for optimal healing.
What happens during a Nose Surgery?
The surgery is done at an outside fully accredited surgery center and under general anethesia. Rhinoplasty is performed either using a closed procedure where incisions are hidden inside the nose, or an open procedure, where an incision is made across the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. Through these incisions the soft tissues that cover the nose are gently raised, allowing access to reshape the structure of the nose. Surgery can reduce or augment nasal structures with the use of cartilage grafted most commonly from the septum. Once the underlying structure of the nose is sculpted to the desired shape, the skin and tissue is redraped and incisions are closed.
Bruising can take up to 3 weeks to resolve. Swelling can take up to one year to finally resolve.
What is the cost for Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)?
Dr Lee does not take medical insurance for this procedure. You will be given a written quote at your consultation appointment which will include the following:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Anesthesia fees