This page contains information about nose reshaping for men, also known as male rhinoplasty. It includes a description of the procedure, and information about recovery time, potential complications, and costs.
What is male rhinoplasty? Male rhinoplasty, also known as nose reshaping, nose surgery, or nose job, is a type of cosmetic surgery to improve the performance or appearance of the nose.
Who should get male rhinoplasty? Men who are self conscious about the nose they were born with or unhappy with how their nose has aged may be good candidates for nose reshaping.
Rhinoplasty is not recommended for children whose facial growth is not yet complete or who are under the age of 13.
What do I have to do before male rhinoplasty? Before getting a nose job, you will need to have a preoperative consultation with your surgeon. During the consultation, your surgeon will examine the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the size and shape of your face, and the thickness and color of your skin, all of which can influence the procedure and the results you can realistically expect. The surgical procedure will be described in detail, including risks and limitations. Photographs will be taken for before and after comparisons.
The surgeon will give you preoperative instructions as to what you can or cannot eat or drink before surgery, which medications you should take or avoid, and a list of things you will need to have on hand for your recovery. During your consultation, the surgeon will answer any questions you might have, so come to your appointment prepared.
What happens during male rhinoplasty? Nose surgery may be performed under general anesthesia (which means that you will be given drugs through an IV to put you to sleep) or IV sedation (which means you will be given sedatives through an IV to help you relax).
There are two types of nose surgery: 1) closed procedure; and 2) open procedure. During a closed procedure, incisions are hidden inside the nose. For an open procedure, an incision is made across the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils.
The tissues that cover the nose are gently raised, allowing access to reshape the nose.
The nose is then reduced or augmented using cartilage grafted from other areas of your body (usually from the septum, which is the partition in the middle of the nose).
If the septum is deviated, it is now straightened.
Once the underlying structure of the nose is sculpted to the desired shape, nasal skin and tissue are put back in place and incisions are closed.
How long does it take to recover from male rhinoplasty? You may be able to go home the day of your surgery, but you will need someone to drive you. Immediately after your incisions have been closed, soft puffy material (nasal packing) will be placed inside the nose to maintain the structure along the nasal air passages. An external splint is also applied to help the nose maintain its new shape. During nose job recovery you will need to keep your head elevated, both while sleeping and awake, to help reduce swelling. There is normally some discomfort following rhinoplasty. Your surgeon can prescribe pain medication as needed.
You will have swelling and bruising beginning on the first day which will increase for several days after. Black eyes are not uncommon. Bruising and swelling may be relieved by frequently applying cold, dry compresses. Some doctors recommend warm compresses after 24 hours, so follow your doctor’s instructions (see below for hot and cold pack options).
Some bleeding is common in the first few days, and you will be asked to avoid blowing your nose, which can increase the risk of bleeding.
Your surgeon will remove the nasal packing in approximately 2 to 4 days, and the splint will be removed about a week after surgery.
Most people return to work between 1 and 2 weeks after surgery.
In most cases, once healed, you will not have visible nose job scars.
Hot and Cold Packs
Both hot and cold packs can be very effective in helping you recover from male rhinoplasty. Hot and cold packs are frequently used by plastic surgery patients to reduce swelling and bruising, and they work faster than most pain medications. To purchase a hot or cold pack, click on the links below.
Hot packs help reduce the appearance of bruising and will provide heat and moisture to areas of discomfort.
Cold packs are effective for reducing post operative swelling, bruising, and pain.
What are the risks related to male rhinoplasty? Although rhinoplasty is a relatively safe procedure, all surgery comes with some risk. Potential nose job risks may include:
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Poor wound healing
- Infection
- Reactions to anesthesia
- Scarring
- Small blood vessels that burst and appear as tiny red spots on the surface of the skin. These may be temporary or permanent
Many of these complications can be avoided if you closely follow your surgeon’s instructions.
How much does male rhinoplasty cost? Rhinoplasty costs vary based on a number of factors including:
- Type of surgery
- Geographic location
- Facility fees
- Surgeon expertise and demand
Costs can range from around $3,000 to around $8,000.
References