Benefits of a Nose Job Extend Beyond Cosmetic Purposes

From makeup, to skincare products, to plastic surgery, patients go to great lengths to enhance their facial beauty. As the demand for cosmetic treatments continues to increase, nose jobs are consistently among the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed on the face.

Because the nose is the centerpiece of the face, feeling uncomfortable about the size, shape, or any other minor issues can make a patient feel less confident about his or her appearance. Fortunately, a rhinoplasty procedure can correct any flaws of the nose and, in turn, boost a patient's confidence.

During initial consultation appointments, I always mention to prospective patients that rhinoplasty produces additional benefits beyond the cosmetic ones. Nose surgery can be performed to open airways and improve breathing, which can add oxygen to the blood stream and increase energy. Opening the airways of the nasal cavity also assists in enhancing breathing while sleeping, allowing for a full night’s sleep that increases overall health and improves a patient’s mood.

When it comes to the actual procedure, I inform my patients of the 2 main approaches: open or closed nose surgery. Open rhinoplasty approaches the base of the nose through an incision, whereas closed rhinoplasty reshapes the nose from inside. Then, we trim and reshape the cartilage inside the nose to achieve the desired shape and size.

I feel it is also important to highlight that a rhinoplasty procedure is performed within a couple of hours, yet requires a recovery process that lasts up to 6 weeks. However, I have found the swelling reduces between 2-3 weeks, which allows my patients to see the results sooner. The additional weeks of recovery are reserved for the internal healing of the reshaped areas.

I also advise telling patients what they can expect following the procedure. Many experience some bruising after a nose job, which can appear in the form of darkened eyes and welts in the operated area. As I mentioned before, the swelling will be present initially, but it will subside within a couple of weeks.

Regardless of whether a patient is considering rhinoplasty to correct a breathing problem or for aesthetic purposes, a nose job can significantly improve a patient’s self-esteem, and that is something one cannot put a price tag on. As healthcare professionals, it is our job to ensure every patient has the necessary education and tools to make an appropriate decision regarding rhinoplasty.

Robert T. Grant, MD, MSc, FACS, is Chief of the combined Divisions of Plastic Surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center. He is also Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. For more information about Dr. Grant or to contact him, visit his website at www.robertgrantmd.com.