Am I A Good Candidate For Nasal Surgery?

Do you have a hump or a bump on the bridge (dorsum) of your nose? Do you have a drooping tip? Would you like to have these parts of your nose modified?

Are you bothered by how wide the entire bridge of your nose is? Do you also dislike your thick, undefined nasal tip? Do you imagine a more slender version of your entire nose?

Does the upper bridge of your nose seem too flat? Is this underdeveloped bridge paired with a nasal tip that flares flat and wide, perhaps accentuating your nostrils?

Maybe you’re happy with most of your nose, but your bulbous tip has always bothered you. If you could just refine it with a little more definition, you know the result would be amazing.

Genetic traits, nasal deformities, or traumas to your nose can negatively impact your self-image and social confidence. If the critical breathing function of your nose is compromised, do something about it—septoplasty or septorhinoplasty can help. Surgical costs to address these issues may be substantially covered by insurance.

If any of these descriptions strike a chord with you, schedule a rhinoplasty consultation by simply completing the form to the right. Whether form or function is the primary issue, you may be a great candidate for nasal surgery with Dr. Macdonald.

How Does Rhinoplasty Change My Looks?

Your nose is arguably the most defining characteristic of your face due to its prominence as the central focal point.

Dr. Macdonald listens carefully as you describe the alterations you’d like to consider. Every nose is unique.  Clear communication and artistic collaboration with Dr. Macdonald is crucial in defining your goals and arriving at a precise surgical plan.

The look of your new nose varies depending on aesthetic changes requested. When re-contouring your nose, Dr. Macdonald takes great care to refine or soften certain features while preserving the natural beauty and ethnicity inherent in your unique face.

Below is a list of nose job fixes most frequently requested.

  • Wide or bulbous nasal tip
  • Bump or hump on bridge of nose
  • Narrow or “pinched” nasal tip
  • Nasal tip angle is drooping down too far or tip is rotated up too much
  • Nostrils too flared or nostrils too “open” and visible
  • Bridge of the nose too wide or too flat
  • Nose is too long, too short, crooked, or asymmetric
  • Difficulty breathing through the nose

Your rhinoplasty should deliver subtle artistic nasal refinement that gives proportion and balance to the overall harmonious beauty of your face.

A Detailed Surgical Plan For Your Nose Job

In your pre-op visit with Dr. Macdonald, he prepares a detailed and individualized surgical plan. This plan is based on analysis of your anatomy. It’s tailored to achieve your specific aesthetic and functional goals.

This analysis and planning considers factors such as:

  • Skin thickness
  • Nasal airway function
  • Nasal projection (away from the face)
  • Tip rotation (“turned up” or appears to be “hanging”)
  • Length (from upper bridge to tip)
  • Tip mobility
  • Tip contour
  • Dorsal width and curvature
  • Presence of any dorsal hump or contour irregularity

Good communication and rapport with your surgeon are crucial to ensuring you are happy with the outcome of your rhinoplasty surgery. Be sure that you and Dr. Macdonald thoroughly discuss your goals and surgical options.

You should feel confident that both you and Dr. Macdonald ultimately share the same vision for your surgical plan. Take a minute to read the testimonials from happy customers on the right sidebar, many of whom will say that Dr. MacDonald is the best rhinoplasty surgeon in San Francisco. To request an initial rhinoplasty consultation with him now, simply complete the form to the right.

3 Types of Nasal Surgery: Which One?

1. Primary Rhinoplasty:

Primary rhinoplasty refers to aesthetic nasal surgery that improves the contours of the bony cartilaginous and/or soft tissues of the nose. It is the second most popular type of cosmetic surgery, behind liposuction.

Plastic surgery of the nose has been recorded in history since the early Egyptians were building pyramids. Clearly, society has always been interested in refining this central focus of the face.

2. Revision Rhinoplasty:

Most facial plastic surgeons believe rhinoplasty to be the most artistic and also the most challenging of aesthetic facial surgeries. Revision rhinoplasty may occasionally be necessary.

Dr. Macdonald regularly takes on difficult revision rhinoplasty surgeries. Other cosmetic surgeons often refer their toughest revision cases to him because they have trust and confidence in his specific skillset for this complex surgery.

If you choose to undergo revision rhinoplasty, it is recommended to wait at least one year from your previous surgery before considering further surgery.

3. Functional Nasal Surgery:

Rhinoplasty improves outer appearance, but it also can resolve functional issues within the nose that impair the nasal airway and cause difficulty breathing, chronic snoring and even sleep apnea.

You may hear these nose surgeries referred to as septoplasty or septorhinoplasty, and they are often covered, at least in part, by medical insurance.

4. Septoplasty or Turbinate Reduction:

Septoplasty is surgical repair of the nasal septum. The septum is the cartilage inside the nose separating one side from the other. Often, twists and deflections in the septum obstruct breathing.

A septoplasty repairs and straightens the septum, improving or eliminating associated breathing problems. Dr. Macdonald often adds Coblation® inferior turbinate reduction to his septoplasty cases as this further improves any nasal airway obstruction.

5. Septorhinoplasty:

Septorhinoplasty = Septoplasty + Rhinoplasty

You may be like many of our patients who have a functional nasal airway problem. You may opt to fix the functionality, plus take the opportunity to smooth a dorsal hump, repair nostril asymmetry, refine a wide tip, etc.

Nasal Surgery Details

Rhinoplasty is one of the most creative and complex facial plastic surgeries. It is also one of the most popular and most highly satisfying to patients. It’s intricate, artistic work that takes great patience and skill.

In surgery, you can expect:

  • Usually, Dr. Macdonald accesses the bony and cartilaginous framework of your nose through an intranasal or “closed” approach. This leaves no exterior scar at all.
  • At times, an “open” approach with a small scar on the nasal columella (just above the base of the nostrils) is necessary. Still, this scar is rarely visible when healed.
  • Dr. Macdonald artistically re-contours your nasal framework until your desired outcome is achieved. He may borrow cartilage from the septum or elsewhere to aid in re-contouring
  • The size or shape of the nose may be augmented with a nasal implant.
  • Surgery may take 1-4 hours, depending on the complexity of the case.

For information on key things to remember to do, or not to do, read our Before Rhinoplasty Treatment tips. Consult the surgical recovery chart to plan accordingly for your post-op healing.

Combine Rhinoplasty Surgery With…

Surgical rhinoplasty is most commonly combined with septoplasty and/or turbinate reduction.

This reconstructive improvement to the septum (cartilage divisor of the nasal cavities and turbinates) aims to improve nasal function—particularly breathing.

Septoplasty may also improve your sense of smell, lessen the intensity of allergy symptoms, and diminish snoring.

Chin augmentation and facelift are two other procedures often chosen to be combined with rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty Post-Surgery Healing

  • Immediately post-op, surgical tape and a splint are positioned on the bridge of your nose to hold it into the proper healing form. Splint must be worn for 7 days to protect the nose.
  • Some swelling and bruising is normal and expected for 7-14 days post-op. These side effects vary by patient, but discomfort is usually minimal.
  • You can expect to go back to work and other non-strenuous daily activities within 7-10 days. Walking and working from home are okay as early as the first day post-op.
  • Be careful not to bump your nose or wear sunglasses (or any glasses) for at least 6-8 weeks.
  • At one month post-op, you are likely already pleased with your results.
  • At 6 months post-op, you are probably 75% healed with your final results mostly evident. Minor residual swelling can persist for 12-18 months before your final results are fully realized.
  • If you are not fully satisfied with your nasal surgery results, you should wait 12 months before seeking any revision or adjustments.

See after-treatment tips for improving your healing experience after cosmetic or functional nasal surgery.

How Do I Choose A Rhinoplasty Expert?

Do your research. Verify medical credentials. Make sure the surgeon you ultimately choose is board certified in facial plastic surgery or plastic surgery.

A facial plastic surgeon is also often board certified in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat medical specialty), as Dr. Macdonald is. This distinction may be particularly important if you’re considering nasal surgery for functional reasons to improve nasal airway and breathing.

Review rhinoplasty before and after photos to give you a sense of the surgeon’s style and whether it suits your taste. Well-matched aesthetic style, good communication, and trust in your rhinoplasty surgeon’s judgment are critical to your ultimate satisfaction.

BEFORE & AFTER