Nose Job

A rhinoplasty, the technical term for a cosmetic nose job, is a fairly simple surgery that re-balances the harmony of the facial structure. If your nose is too big, too small, crooked, or otherwise off-balance, it may distract from the beauty of your face. By improving the balance of your nose, it will accentuate the beauty of your face and its features.

If you are continually concerned with the size, shape, or symmetry of your nose, Dr. Shapiro's nose job may be the perfect solution for you. But, there are many things you should first consider if you are thinking about having a nose job. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is a huge decision, one that requires plenty of patience and perseverance.

The first thing to think about is your age. If you are under sixteen, please consider waiting for your facial structure to finish growing. Dr. Shapiro will not perform nose jobs on girls under sixteen. For boys, he will wait longer in order to accommodate growth spurts in the late teens and early twenties. Growth spurts can affect the shape of the facial structure and may allow your face to "grow into" your nose, or vice versa. Sometimes waiting a few years, though difficult, can be of great benefit and will save you the emotional and financial costs of surgery.

The next thing to consider is the reaction of your family and friends. Some families are very proud of their genetic nasal shape. If you “have your father's nose,” this may be something of great pride for your family. Friends may also react negatively to a "radical" cosmetic facial surgery—but these reactions will pass. If you stay strong and persevere, your surgery will be worth it.

Understand also that long-term patience will be key because the results of a nose job are not always immediately noticeable. The final results may not be completely apparent for a year or more, and even longer if you have thick skin.

You should finally ask yourself if a nose job is truly the right option for you. A rhinoplasty is not something to consider lightly. Dr. Shapiro insists that only those who are wholly dissatisfied with their appearance, who want to change their facial structure, and who have great patience should continue with this procedure. This is not to dissuade anyone from having a nose job—only to stress the importance of careful and serious consideration.

In preparation for your consultation with Dr. Shapiro, you should thoughtfully consider specific things that you want to change about your nose. Sometimes photographs can be a helpful visual aid for explaining what you are hoping for from your nose job. Dr. Shapiro will help you decide on changes that will be appealing with your facial structure and fit your personality. Dr. Shapiro can combine photos of your nose, those that appeal to you, and your descriptions to create an aesthetic blueprint. From there, he can move forward into describing your surgical procedure.

Nose Job Surgery

A nose job is most often performed through an external incision through the columella, the vertical strip of cartilage that divides the nostrils.

During your nose job surgery, Dr. Shapiro will follow the surgical blueprint that you laid out during your consultation. He may shift the position of the nasal bones, change the size of the nose, and re-shape the nasal tip accordingly. By shaving away excess bone from the upper third of the nose, Dr. Shapiro can reshape the width and apparent length of the upper nasal structure. He can shift the nasal bones to a more central location on on the face. Finally, he can also reshape the cartilage of the lower two-thirds of the nose in order to refine the nasal tip into a more elegant, harmonic shape.

The results of the nose job are a more shapely, centrally located nasal structure with a refined nasal tip.

Nose Job Recovery

Dr. Shapiro's nose job does not require overnight hospitalization. Patients may return home after their surgery.

This time chart can help you determine what your recovery will look and feel like:

Duration Post-Operation
Day after	Return to Dr. Shapiro's office to remove nasal packing and check-in post-op.
1 week	Bruising around the eyes will fade Return to the office to remove surgical sutures and nasal splint Reveal the new nose!
2-3 months	Some swelling may develop and fluctuate, especially in the tip
1 year	Final results will soon be apparent

A word from the wise...

A nose job is a demanding procedure that requires experience and technical skill from the surgeon. Please evaluate your potential surgeon by his experience, board certifications, and a portfolio of results that are appealing to you. Also, be on the look out for surgeons performing a “one size fits all” nose job. It is unfortunately common that some cosmetic surgeons are using the same aesthetic blueprints over and over.

Dr. Shapiro is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, has nearly two decades of experience, has performed hundreds of nose jobs and will always customize your nose job to make sure it fits you.