Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty) in Huntsville, AL

Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as nose surgery or a “nose job,” is a popular surgical procedure designed to aesthetically enhance the size and shape of your nose and/or correct breathing or other functional concerns.

As the central feature of the face, the nose plays a significant role in determining overall facial harmony. Rhinoplasty helps sculpt the nose, bringing it into balance with the rest of the face.

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure designed to reshape your nose and correct both cosmetic and functional issues. It can enhance your facial harmony by improving the proportions of your nose or correcting structural abnormalities (like a deviated septum) that may cause breathing difficulties.

Rhinoplasty is a highly customizable procedure that can address cosmetic concerns such as bumps or humps on the nose, a bulbous or too-large nose, asymmetry, wide nostrils, or nasal obstructions. Whether the goal is improved aesthetics or function, rhinoplasty can boost your confidence by creating a more balanced and proportional appearance.

What Are the Benefits of Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty provides a variety of benefits, both aesthetic and functional, including:

Achieving Facial Harmony

Undergoing rhinoplasty can help you achieve a more symmetrical or proportionate nose that complements your other facial features. It can correct cosmetic imperfections such as bumps, crookedness, or asymmetry, boosting your confidence in your appearance.

Correcting Functional Issues

Beyond cosmetic improvements, rhinoplasty can also enhance breathing by addressing structural issues like a deviated septum. If you suffer from chronic nasal congestion, snoring, or other breathing difficulties, functional rhinoplasty can significantly improve your quality of life.

Repairing Damage

Rhinoplasty is also used to repair damage after an injury or trauma, restoring your nose’s appearance and function.

Am I a Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Good candidates for rhinoplasty are nonsmokers in good overall health who have realistic expectations for the results of their nose surgery. Ideal candidates for rhinoplasty are those who may be unhappy with the size, shape, or structure of their nose and are looking to achieve better facial harmony. Rhinoplasty candidates are also those suffering from breathing difficulties caused by nasal structural issues.

In order to undergo rhinoplasty, your nose must be fully developed, meaning that you should be over the age of 15 or 16 for girls and 16 or 17 for boys. The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for nose reshaping surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Knowling. He will evaluate your nose, discuss your aesthetic goals, and determine whether rhinoplasty is the right option for you.

What Can Rhinoplasty Achieve?

When formulating his treatment plan, Dr. Knowling considers his patients’ anatomy and aesthetic concerns. Cosmetic or reconstructive nasal surgery can effectively achieve the following:

• Reduce the overall size of the nose
• Smooth out bumps and/or depressions on the bridge of the nose
• Narrow the bridge of the nose
• Change the size or shape of the tip of the nose
• Widen or narrow the size of the nostrils
• Adjust the angle between the nose and upper lip
• Straighten the septum to improve breathing

How Do I Prepare for Rhinoplasty Surgery?

Before your rhinoplasty surgery, you will discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Knowling, and he will assess your nose and review your medical history. Once your surgery is scheduled, you may need to stop taking certain medications and supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. You must also stop using nicotine, as it can impair healing and increase the risk of complications both during and after surgery.

How Is Rhinoplasty Performed?

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient surgery that typically takes two or three hours. However, the exact time needed for your procedure will depend on the amount of correction necessary to achieve optimal results. There are two types of rhinoplasty:

Open Rhinoplasty

• Performed under general anesthesia
• Incision is made across the columella (between the nasal openings)
• Allows the most visibility for Dr. Knowling during the procedure
• Alterations that improve nasal breathing can be performed at the time of cosmetic rhinoplasty (placement of nasal spreader grafts) and are covered by some insurance plans

Closed Rhinoplasty

• Performed under either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia
• Incisions are made on the inside of the nose
• Shorter surgical and recovery time

What Can I Expect From My Rhinoplasty Recovery?

Rhinoplasty recovery is a process. Most patients will need about one week of downtime to recover from rhinoplasty. You will experience swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort in the first few days following surgery, but any pain can be alleviated with prescription or over-the-counter medications. You may have a splint placed on your nose to support its new shape and minimize movement as you heal. You will need to keep your head elevated to help reduce swelling, and you may apply cold compresses to ease discomfort.

Recovery from rhinoplasty varies for each patient, but there are general guidelines for what to expect. Stitches are typically removed about a week after surgery at a follow-up visit. You can usually return to work or school within one to two weeks after your rhinoplasty; however, there may still be some bruising around the nose and eyes, and residual swelling may persist for several months. Strenuous activities and contact sports should be avoided until after Dr. Knowling determines your nose has healed properly at a follow-up appointment.

When Will I See My Rhinoplasty Results?

While initial improvements will be noticeable within the first few weeks, and external bruising and swelling should subside within that time as well, internal swelling will last much longer (from six months to one year). Most patients notice a substantial improvement within three to six months, and your rhinoplasty results will become more evident as the swelling goes down. However, it may take up to a year for your final results to fully emerge as swelling gradually subsides and your nose settles into its new shape.

Are My Rhinoplasty Results Permanent?

Rhinoplasty is considered to be a permanent procedure as the surgery permanently alters the structure of your nose. However, your nose (like the rest of your face) will continue to age naturally, so you may see some subtle changes over time.

Other factors like trauma or injury could also affect your rhinoplasty results. To ensure the best possible outcome after your nose surgery, you should follow Dr. Knowling’s post-operative instructions to the letter and do what you can to protect your nose from injury or impact. If necessary, you may choose to undergo a revision rhinoplasty to refine or further enhance your original results.

How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost in Huntsville, AL?

Your rhinoplasty procedure is tailored to your specific needs and desired results. Therefore, it is impossible to predict your rhinoplasty cost until you have met with Dr. Knowling for a consultation. The cost of nose surgery is affected by many factors, including the techniques used, anesthesia, facility fees, geographic location, and surgeon’s fees.

Dr. Knowling and his team will provide you with an accurate cost estimate once a surgical plan has been established. Financing options are also available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rhinoplasty

How old do I have to be to get a nose job?

Rhinoplasty can be performed once your nose has fully developed. This usually happens around the ages of 15 or 16 for girls, and 16 or 17 for boys. While this surgery can be performed on teenagers (and there is no age cap), the most common age for this surgery is between the ages of 20 and 55.

Which type of rhinoplasty is right for me?

Rhinoplasty uses an open or closed method. Closed rhinoplasty can be performed for many surgeries, allowing your surgeon to shave cartilage and bone and reshape the structure. Open rhinoplasty is usually reserved for more extensive corrections, as the added incision across the columella allows for greater visibility of the nasal structure.

What is a deviated septum?

A deviated septum occurs when the septum (the cartilage that separates the two nostrils) is crooked, resulting in nostrils of different sizes. While this may not seem significant, a deviated septum can complicate breathing and even disrupt sleep cycles; therefore, it is beneficial to address. This deviation can be corrected during a rhinoplasty procedure with a technique known as septoplasty. Here, the septum will be straightened and adjusted to allow for better airflow.

Will rhinoplasty leave scars?

As with any surgical procedure that requires incisions, rhinoplasty can leave scars. However, incisions are placed inside your nose or along the columella (between your nostrils) to ensure that any scars are as inconspicuous as possible.

Can I combine my nose surgery with another facial plastic surgery?

Many patients combine rhinoplasty with other plastic surgery procedures for more transformative results. The nose is your central facial feature and plays a significant role in balance; however, some patients find that the best way to ensure or create balance and facial harmony is to combine their nose surgery with a cheek or chin implant for better definition.

Patients who choose rhinoplasty later in life can also choose to add an anti-aging plastic surgery, such as a facelift or eyelid lift.

What if my nose doesn’t heal correctly?

Some patients experience complications during the rhinoplasty healing process even though everything went well during the surgery. Unsatisfactory results can be addressed with a second rhinoplasty procedure (revision rhinoplasty), but they should not be considered for at least a year after your initial nose surgery. This is because it can take up to a year for all internal swelling to subside.

Does insurance cover rhinoplasty?

Because rhinoplasty is most often used to address aesthetic concerns, insurance companies view it as an elective procedure, which is not covered. However, if you are undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure after a facial injury that has resulted in significant breathing or functional difficulties, there may be a chance that your insurance will cover all or part of the surgery. Contact your provider before surgery to find out if your insurance will cover your rhinoplasty procedure.

Learn More About Rhinoplasty in Huntsville

Whether you’re concerned with the appearance or function of your nose, rhinoplasty surgery is the solution. To learn more about the procedure and discover if you’re a good candidate for rhinoplasty, schedule a consultation with Dr. Knowling by calling (256) 881-2220 or completing the online contact form.