Rhinoplasty FAQs

Rhinoplasty is a word used to describe a surgery for the purpose of reshaping a patients’ nose. A Rhinoplasty surgery may be performed to make cosmetic changes to the shape of a nose, to address functional issues or for reconstruction.

A Septoplasty refers to a surgery that addresses nasal breathing and may help with the external appearance of the nose. Commonly, deviated septums affect the midline partition of the nose, obstructing ones’ breathing. Septoplasty surgery that takes place on the midline of the nose can also help address nasal congestion.

Septorhinoplasty is a term used to describe a surgery that combines both a Septoplasty and a Rhinoplasty. Dorsal Resection and Reduction of Nasal Fracture can also be used to describe the same surgery. Dorsal Resection means the reduction of the bridge of the nose. Reduction of Nasal Fracture refers to the nasal bones being restructured following a trauma.

A Revision Rhinoplasty is a second rhinoplasty surgery intended to correct issues that developed as a result of the original rhinoplasty surgery or to repair problems that were not properly addressed the first time around.

Dr. Solomon is always committed to addressing any issues that may arise from a primary rhinoplasty surgery that he has performed. Up to 10% of his patients may seek minor touchups once the healing period is complete 1 year following surgery. Dr. Solomon will only do a revision if he feels the results can be improved upon and warrant a second surgery to accomplish what his patient is seeking.

In order to narrow the nasal tip or reshape the tip, the cartilage needs to be trimmed or reshaped. In some cases, grafts can be added to create more definition in the tip, while in other cases fatty tissue may be removed beneath the skin.

Closed rhinoplasty is a more common technique, as all incisions are located inside the nose. Dr. Solomon mostly performs closed rhinoplasty surgery so that his patients do not have external scarring.

Open rhinoplasty is an older technique still used today in select cases such as a crooked nose or in revision cases. In open rhinoplasty, typically a small incision is made at the nasal base between the nostrils, also known as the columella.

The age requirement typically depends on individual development both physically and emotionally. For females, as early as 14 or 15, as long as their menstruation cycle began 2 years prior. For males, typically the average age is 16. Older patients remain candidates as long as they are in good health.

Perfection is never a realistic goal but certainly you can strive to achieve the best possible results. The goal of rhinoplasty surgery is to attain a significant or subtle (if desired) aesthetic enhancement. Minor imperfections can occur where revision may be required. If there is an issue that can be readdressed with surgery, Dr. Solomon will only be able to perform revision surgery once the healing process is compete, 1 year post op.

A rib or ear graft is used for the purpose of augmenting parts of the nose such as the bridge or the nasal tip. At SFP, ear cartilage is often used for grafting the tip of the nose due to the fact that it’s often soft and curved. Ear grafts are also effectively used for camouflaging areas of the nasal bridge. Rib cartilage tends to be stronger and better used in areas needing more strength such the nasal bridge.

First and foremost, being in good health is top priority. Secondly, an assessment will determine if you have a structural or aesthetic issue that can be addressed with surgery. Emotional wellbeing is paramount and realistic expectations are essential. The journey through surgery and recovery can be challenging especially if any issues are to arise. Any existing physical or psychological issues must be treated before considering cosmetic surgery.

Research. There are two types of surgeons qualified to perform Rhinoplasty surgery. An Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon who specializes in Facial Plastic Surgery or a Plastic Surgeon, both of whom are board-certified in Canada. Next, you want to ensure that the surgeon you choose specializes in Rhinoplasty and performs this surgery regularly. Some plastic surgeons may focus their practice on breast augmentation or tummy-tucks and perform very few rhinoplasty surgeries. On the other hand, a Head and Neck surgeon may specialize in cancer surgery and perform very few Rhinoplasty surgeries. The optimal choice is a surgeon whose specialty is Rhinoplasty, and dedicates their practice to the art and science of Rhinoplasty surgery. Rhinoplasty is a very intricate and challenging surgery and requires a surgeon highly skilled in both internal and external nasal surgery as both are intimately linked cosmetically and functionally.

Feel free to ask your surgeon for examples of their work. Before and after pictures of previous patients with a similar likeness to you can help show you the potential results your surgeon can achieve. Read reviews. These too can help give you some perspective about your choice in surgeon with regards to both their work and their work ethic.

Finally, the consultation with your surgeon is very important. Your surgeon should carefully analyze your nose both internally and externally. He should then discuss with you his surgical plan to ensure you are both in agreement. Open communication and a good rapport are very important right from the start.

Computer Imaging is a very helpful tool used to enhance the communication between you and your surgeon. Computer Imaging, also called Digital Imaging, is computer imaging software that allows your surgeon to modify an image of you to ensure that you and your surgeon share the same common goal. While this is a very helpful tool, it is not a guarantee of your result. However, it can often provide reassurance to a patient who needs a visual image to see what their results may look like.

The cost of Rhinoplasty surgery does vary depending on the surgeon and what the individual case requires. In Toronto, the average cost of Rhinoplasty ranges from $5000-$12,000. The average cost of Rhinoplasty surgery in our clinic is $7,500 for Canadian residents and citizens.

Ontario’s Ministry of Health will typically cover a small portion of the surgery that addresses breathing issues (septoplasty or turbinate reduction). In some cases, OHIP will cover septorhinoplasty to straighten a deviated nose that is the result of a trauma or congenital birth abnormality. In those cases, an application for approval by the ministry will be required prior to surgery. In cases where there is both a cosmetic component and a functional issue being addressed, the patient will only be charged for the cosmetic component and our office staff will look after billing OHIP for the functional portion. Generally, private insurance plans do not cover cosmetic surgery.

Rhinoplasty surgery can vary in length from 1-3 hours, depending on the demands of each particular case.

Typically, Dr. Solomon does not use packing, however he will determine what your needs are on the day of your surgery. In cases with crooked noses, he may place plastic splints inside the nose to help retain a straight septum for the first week post-op.

We recommend 7- 10 days recovery time at home, but that can vary from patient to patient.

Everyone heals differently, however most patients display very few signs of surgery 2 weeks post op and feel quite comfortable returning to work or school at that time. Signs of bruising should be minimal at this point and any bruises that remain can be covered with makeup. Some swelling may still be visible on the nasal tip and along the sides of the nasal bridge. Most likely, the average person won’t notice the swelling, however you may feel it’s more noticeable than it is.

We recommend waiting 4 weeks before returning to your regular exercise routine. Low intensity exercise such as walking can be enjoyed as early as 2 weeks. Any sport that has the added risk of being hit in the face is best to avoid for 2 months following Rhinoplasty surgery. Any job that entails heavy lifting should also be avoided for the first 4 weeks.

Wearing glasses immediately following surgery could leave you with imperfections on your nose, as the nasal bones need time to heal. We recommend waiting a minimum of 4 weeks and up to 6 weeks before wearing your glasses. If at 4 weeks your nose is still swollen or tender, hold off a week or two until those symptoms are gone. Contact lenses can be used shortly following surgery.

Every nose is unique and therefore so is the healing process. How soon the final results become visible will vary depending on the intricacies of the surgery. On average, patients can see a significant change 2 weeks post op however there will still be residual swelling at this time. At 2 months, the majority of the swelling should dissipate, however it can take up to 1 year for all the swelling to resolve and for the final outcome to become apparent.

Yes, you most certainly can undergo more than one cosmetic procedure at Solomon Facial Plastic. Quite often, patients combine their Rhinoplasty surgery with other procedures such as chin implants, blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery), otoplasty (ear pinning), lip lift, facelift surgery and sinus surgery.

With Rhinoplasty surgery, comes the possibility for a revision due to the challenges and intricacies of this particular cosmetic surgery. On average, up to 10% of our patients may want revision surgery to address minor issues or imperfections. Dr. Solomon is always available to discuss your concerns during the healing process, however a final decision to undergo a revision can only be made once the nose has fully healed, one year following surgery.

Injectable fillers can be used to resolve minor imperfections following Rhinoplasty surgery. While typically used for improving the appearance of facial wrinkles or scars, injectable fillers can be quite effective on the nose. Both permanent and temporary fillers are available however an assessment by Dr. Solomon will determine which product would best suit your needs.

In consultation, Dr. Solomon will conduct a thorough assessment of your medical history. Once you have decided to proceed with surgery, you will be required to visit your family doctor to complete paperwork documenting your medical history and address any current health concerns. For some patients, blood work will be required as well. Good communication is always essential to ensure that we can provide you with the best care possible for your particular needs.

Your consultation with Dr. Solomon will include an assessment of your nose both internally and externally. Internally, a metal speculum will be used to examine your nasal septum and the inferior turbinate, and in certain cases a nasal fiberoptic telescope may be required as well. Externally, Dr. Solomon will assess the aesthetic appearance of your nose, the width, the length, the projection of the bridge and nasal tip. By palpating your nose, he will assess the texture of your skin as well as the underlying structures of the nasal tip and bridge, both of which play a critical role in your preoperative surgical plan. He will then discuss what potential changes can be made to your nose to improve its balance with your other facial features. Dr. Solomon will be candid and will discuss which aspects of your nose that are attractive and should be preserved, and which are less than ideal and could benefit from Rhinoplasty. This is your opportunity to discuss what you hope to accomplish, and address any issues such as nasal congestion, nasal discharge, previous trauma or injury you have experienced. It’s also important to disclose if you have undergone previous nasal surgery.

Patients have the option of have Computer Imaging on the day of their consultation. Computer Imaging can be very helpful in the decision making process as it can provide you with a visual image of what you can potentially achieve from your rhinoplasty surgery.

Computer Imaging otherwise is part of our pre-surgical process, as all our patients come into our clinic 2 weeks prior to their surgery to sit down with Dr. Solomon to review their computer imaging. This is an opportunity for the patient and Dr. Solomon to ensure they have a shared goal. Imaging however is not necessarily an exact depiction of a patients’ final result.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Solomon will conduct a thorough assessment of your nose and will discuss his surgical plan. Prior to surgery, Dr. Solomon will have you come in to review your computer imaging, to ensure that you have a common goal. Dr. Solomon will then review your file and images on the day of surgery and prior to your surgery. As a renowned Rhinoplasty surgeon, Dr. Solomon will aim to give you the best possible results achievable.

Yes, Gortex is an option to be considered for Rhinoplasty surgery, however Dr. Solomon’s first choice is to use his patients’ own tissue. If a case presents as complicated and cartilage is limited or would require surgery on the ear or rib, Gortex may be recommended as an alternative. Gortex is a synthetic product that has a good safety profile but can have side effects such as infection in approximately 1-3% of the cases where it’s used. Gortex however, can produce excellent results in Rhinoplasty, especially in cases where standard cartilage grafts otherwise may not have been have been as effective. If Gortex does become infected, it must be removed.

Following Rhinoplasty surgery, you may see slight changes to the skin that are generally temporary and should resolve over time. Initially, the nasal skin may become oily in appearance and could cause acne to develop on the nose, especially if a patient has a history of acne. In other cases, small blood vessels could appear on the nose, also known as telangiectasia, which can be treated.

When it comes to Rhinoplasty surgery, there are distinct physical differences between a non-caucasian nose and a Caucasian nose. Non-caucasian patients for example, may seek to build up their nasal bridge, strengthen their nasal tip and narrow the nasal base. Caucasian patients on the other hand are often looking to reduce the length of their nasal bridge, lift the nasal tip and eliminate a dorsal hump.

Yes, the type of skin you have does play a significant role in Rhinoplasty surgery. Thin skin is considered more pliable therefore changes to the cartilage of the nose are more easily attained. On the otherhand, imperfections may be more visible. Thick skin can be more challenging to obtain visible, dramatic results. The thickness of the skin may conceal some of the changes that have been made to the structure of the nose beneath the skin. An experienced Facial Plastic Surgeon who has a wealth of experience with both skin types will be able to individualize your surgical plan to suit your needs to obtain optimal results.

Prior to surgery we recommend our patients stop taking any medication or supplements that could inhibit their healing process. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, some multivitamins and supplements that thin the blood should be discontinued 2 weeks prior to surgery. We also recommend abstaining from alcohol 2 weeks prior to surgery.

We do recommend our patients take up to 2000 mg of Vitamin C orally, 2 weeks prior to surgery in addition to Arnica, a Homeopathic supplement, both of which can help with the reduction of bruising and swelling following surgery.