Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)

Nose surgery, also called rhinoplasty or a “nose job”, is a surgical cosmetic procedure to correct, reconstruct, restore or otherwise enhance the form of the nose. With nose surgery, you may choose to narrow or widen the span of the nostrils, change the shape of the bridge or tip of the nose, reduce or increase the size of the nose, or adjust the angle between the nose and upper lip. Nose surgeries may be performed for purely cosmetic reasons, or to correct a birth defect, injury or breathing problems.

During nose surgery, your surgeon will separate the skin of the nose from the underlying bone and cartilage at the base of the nose between the nostrils. The shape of your nasal bones and cartilage can then be changed in several ways, depending on the amount which needs to be added or removed. Smaller changes use cartilage from deeper inside the nose or ear, while larger changes may use cartilage from the ribs, bone from other body parts, or surgical implants. Once the changes are made, the skin is replaced and incisions closed, and a splint placed on your nose to hold the cartilage and bones in place as you heal.