Your Nose Can Look More Attractive with a Rhinoplasty: A rhinoplasty surgery, more commonly known as a nose-job, is designed to correct problems with the nose and provide it with a new and improved shape while also correcting functional issues. The nose is one of the most vital facial features that defines… Read More
Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) in Arcadia, CA
Conveniently located to serve Arcadia, CA
Considering rhinoplasty often brings up both cosmetic and functional questions, from improving facial balance to addressing breathing concerns. At Chow Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Arcadia, Dr. Jen Chow, a fellowship-trained and double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, helps patients from Arcadia, Pasadena, and the San Gabriel Valley explore nose surgery with careful planning and realistic expectations.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose to improve its appearance, function, or both. It may address concerns such as a dorsal hump, a broad or misshapen nasal tip, nasal asymmetry, post-injury structural changes, or breathing issues related to the internal nasal framework.
The goal of rhinoplasty is to refine the nose in a way that fits the patient’s facial features while preserving or improving nasal function. Depending on the patient’s needs, surgery may involve the bridge, nasal tip, nostrils, septum, or supporting nasal structures.
Dr. Chow is experienced in both open and closed rhinoplasty techniques and can discuss which approach may be most appropriate during your consultation. Some patients may also benefit from chin augmentation at the time of nasal surgery when additional facial balance is desired.
Benefits of Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty may help address several cosmetic and functional concerns while supporting a more balanced facial appearance. Depending on your anatomy and goals, rhinoplasty may help with:
- Facial Proportion: Adjusting the size, bridge, tip, or projection of the nose so it better fits the rest of the face
- Nasal Symmetry: Improving the appearance of a crooked, twisted, or asymmetrical nose
- Profile Concerns: Reducing or reshaping a dorsal hump or hook-like appearance when viewed from the side
- Tip Refinement: Addressing a broad, drooping, bulbous, or misshapen nasal tip
- Breathing Function: Improving airflow when structural concerns, such as septal deviation, are involved
- Appearance-related Confidence: Helping patients feel more comfortable with a feature that has long bothered them
Good Candidates for Rhinoplasty
Good candidates for rhinoplasty are generally healthy patients who want to improve the appearance or function of their nose and have realistic expectations for what surgery can achieve. This may include adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, provided they are medically appropriate candidates for surgery.
You may be a nose job candidate if you:
- Are bothered by nasal shape or proportion: This may include a hump, wide bridge, drooping tip, or nose that feels too large or too small for the face
- Have breathing concerns: Functional rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty may be considered when nasal structure affects airflow
- Have had nasal trauma: Surgery may help restore nasal shape after an injury
- Are physically mature: Cosmetic rhinoplasty is generally delayed until nasal and facial growth are complete
- Have realistic goals: The goal is improvement that fits your face, not a completely different appearance
Rhinoplasty may be appropriate for adults, provided they are healthy enough for surgery and have realistic expectations. For younger patients, cosmetic rhinoplasty is generally delayed until nasal and facial growth is complete, typically around the mid-teen years.
During your consultation, Dr. Chow can evaluate your nasal structure, facial growth, breathing concerns, and cosmetic goals to help determine whether rhinoplasty is appropriate for you.
Types of Rhinoplasty Surgery
Dr. Chow offers several rhinoplasty approaches depending on the patient’s anatomy, goals, and whether the procedure is cosmetic, functional, or revision-based.
- Closed Rhinoplasty: Incisions are made inside the nostrils, so there is no visible external incision. This approach may be appropriate for select patients, although it provides more limited access to the nasal structures.
- Open Rhinoplasty: Incisions are made inside the nostrils and connected by a small incision along the columella, the tissue between the nostrils. This approach allows greater visibility and access to the nasal framework.
- Reduction Rhinoplasty: This approach may be used to reduce the size of the nose, refine the bridge, or address a dorsal hump.
- Revision Rhinoplasty: Revision rhinoplasty may be performed to address cosmetic or functional concerns after a previous nose surgery.
- Asian Rhinoplasty: Asian rhinoplasty focuses on reshaping or supporting the nose while preserving features that are important to the patient’s facial identity and aesthetic goals.
- Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: Non-surgical rhinoplasty uses injectable treatment to temporarily improve certain nasal contours without surgery. It may be an option for patients with specific cosmetic concerns who are not ready for surgery.
* Individual results may vary.
Rhinoplasty Before & After Gallery
View before-and-after pictures of real patients treated by Dr. Chow.
What to Expect Before & During Rhinoplasty
A nose job usually includes a consultation, personalized surgical planning, the procedure, and postoperative follow-up. This overview can help you understand what to expect before and after surgery.
Your Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Jen Chow will review your medical history, examine your face and nose, and discuss your cosmetic and functional concerns. He may also determine whether rhinoplasty, septorhinoplasty, Asian rhinoplasty, or revision rhinoplasty is most appropriate for your goals.
Digital imaging may help you and Dr. Chow communicate clearly about possible changes to the nose. This can be a helpful planning tool, but it does not guarantee a specific result.
Preparing for Nose Surgery
Once your procedure is scheduled, Dr. Chow will provide written pre-operative instructions. Depending on your age, health history, previous surgeries, tobacco use, medications, supplements, and other risk factors, additional testing or clearance from your primary care physician may be recommended.
You may be asked to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and certain vitamins or supplements that may thin the blood before surgery.
During the Rhinoplasty Procedure
Most of Dr. Chow’s rhinoplasty procedures are performed in a fully accredited outpatient surgical facility. He also works with board-certified anesthesiologists to help keep patients comfortable and safely monitored during surgery.
Dr. Chow performs both open and closed rhinoplasty when appropriate. In many cases, he favors the open approach because it provides greater visibility of the nasal structures. With open rhinoplasty, most incisions are placed inside the nose, with a small incision along the columella. This incision often heals well and is usually difficult to see once fully healed.
Rhinoplasty Recovery
Recovery varies from patient to patient, but the general healing process often includes the following:
- First 24 Hours: Mild swelling inside and outside the nose is common. Some patients may also have bruises beneath the eyes. Applying ice as directed may help reduce swelling and bruising.
- First Week: A cast is typically placed over the nose for about one week to help protect the structural changes made during surgery.
- After the Cast Is Removed: Patients should avoid contact sports and activities where the nose could be bumped for about five more weeks. Glasses that rest on the bridge of the nose may also need to be avoided temporarily.
- Long-term Healing: Swelling continues to improve gradually, and final rhinoplasty results may take about 12 to 18 months to fully develop.
Cost of Rhinoplasty in Arcadia, CA
Rhinoplasty is a highly personalized surgical procedure, so the cost can vary based on the techniques used, the complexity of the procedure, and whether cosmetic and functional concerns are being addressed. During your consultation, Dr. Chow will review the expected cost of your rhinoplasty and discuss available payment and financing options.
Because rhinoplasty is often a cosmetic procedure, insurance typically does not cover it. If part of the procedure is intended to address functional breathing concerns, coverage may vary depending on your insurance plan and medical necessity.
Financing is available for qualifying patients through CareCredit, an outside financing company that is independent from the practice.
Why Choose Dr. Jen Chow for Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty requires a detailed understanding of facial aesthetics, nasal structure, and breathing function. Dr. Jen Chow is a fellowship-trained surgeon, double board-certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and head and neck surgery. This background is especially valuable for patients considering cosmetic rhinoplasty, functional nasal surgery, or septorhinoplasty.
Dr. Chow’s approach includes a complete facial and nasal evaluation, careful review of each patient’s goals, and discussion of open and closed rhinoplasty techniques when appropriate. His training allows him to evaluate both the appearance of the nose and the structures that support healthy breathing.
Schedule a Rhinoplasty Consultation Today
If you are considering rhinoplasty to refine the appearance of your nose, address breathing concerns, or better understand your options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jen Chow at Chow Center for Facial Plastic Surgery.
Patients from Arcadia, Pasadena, and the San Gabriel Valley can meet with Dr. Chow to discuss rhinoplasty goals, review before-and-after photos, and learn what approach may be appropriate for their needs.
FAQs About Rhinoplasty
Who is a candidate for rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty (nose reshaping)?
People of all ages who want to redefine the shapes of their noses may be candidates. This includes those who have been considering corrective surgery of the nose, those with nasal obstruction, and those who want to enhance their appearance. Because the nose continues to grow and change from birth through 14-16 years of age, purely cosmetic rhinoplasty is not recommended during early childhood and the beginning of adolescence, as the nose and face are continuing to change and develop. However, as every individual is unique and changes differently, consulting a board-certified physician knowledgeable in the development of the nose is the first step to finding out if rhinoplasty, or nasal reshaping, is for you. A visit to Dr. Chow will help you make an informed decision free of undue bias.
How old do I have to be before I can have rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)?
Dr. Chow believes in safe, effective surgery. Since the nose grows and changes in spurts starting at birth, waiting for emotional and physical maturation is the best, safest method for ensuring long-lasting, beautiful results. This usually means ages 14-15 for girls and a little older for boys. These ranges are generalizations, of course, as each person matures differently. At the Chow Center, everyone who arrives for consultation is treated as an individual with a unique plan of care.
How old is too old to have rhinoplasty?
As long as you are in good physical and mental health, age should not exclude you. In fact, rhinoplasty in those aged 40-60 is common. Dr. Chow has been involved with patients in their seventies at the time of their nose surgery.
Which nose shape is best for me?
There is no single ideal shape for the nose. Gender, ethnicity, culture, personal preference, height, facial features such as the chin and forehead, function (breathing), and even fashion affect the ideal shape for a nose. Each nose is unique and requires a carefully planned procedure to reshape it in an attractive, appropriate way. With the help of computer imaging, Dr. Chow can provide you with an image enhancement session to show you what your new nose might look like. This allows you to guide the process and see the best nose shape for you.
What parts of my nose can be changed with rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty (nose reshaping)?
Nearly all of your nose may be changed. However, there are limitations, many of which are based on maintaining the primary function of your nose, which is to filter, warm, and humidify the air as you breathe. Making a nose too small or even too big can impair this function. Therefore, choosing a board-certified surgeon who understands both the art and science of cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty is extremely important. Call Dr. Chow today at (626) 447-3223 to schedule a consultation, or email him at info@chow.md for more information.
My nose is too big. Can you make it smaller?
Yes. In addition, Dr. Jen Chow can assist patients with noses that are too short, too long, too narrow, or too wide. He also has experience correcting twisted or crooked noses. However, the natural shape of the face must be complemented by the nose. By discussing your concerns with Dr. Chow in person, you can learn more about the options available to you.
My nose is too small. Can you make it bigger?
Yes, particularly if your nose has a low bridge (the part of your nose where your sunglasses sit) that you would like augmented. Again, the natural shape of the face should be complemented by the nose. A higher bridge can make glasses fit better and provide a pleasing, harmonious relationship with the brow, eyes, and chin. At the Chow Center in sunny Southern California, everyone interested in rhinoplasty has access to an image enhancement session, in which computer imaging is used to approximate how rhinoplasty would affect your face.
Do you do computer imaging?
Yes, Dr. Chow has access to the latest software and hardware for computer imaging. You can learn more about digital imaging here. In real-time, he can show you how your nose might change after rhinoplasty, or nose surgery. These image enhancement sessions serve as a helpful tool in communicating common surgical goals. However, computer-generated images do not serve as a guarantee and are used only to help the patient and surgeon understand how the nose might look after surgery.
Do I have to stay overnight in the hospital after my rhinoplasty?
In the vast majority of cases, you will be able to go home after surgery. If you are from out of town, you should spend the first night after surgery in a nearby hotel so that Dr. Chow may see you the next morning.
What kind of anesthesia is used?
Dr. Chow has performed rhinoplasties with multiple different types of anesthesia. One form is commonly called twilight sedation. This allows patients to snooze comfortably while surgery is performed. Patients are able to breathe on their own without a machine and tend to wake more quickly with less nausea than when general anesthesia is used. However, as each individual has unique needs and concerns, the type of anesthesia used will depend on your general state of health. In addition, Dr. Chow has an anesthesiologist present during all of his surgeries so that his attention may be focused solely on the patient, rather than split between the procedure, the monitors, and the medications necessary to keep you safe and comfortable.
I've heard that it can take a year to see my final results. Is this true?
Yes, this is true. The nose continues to evolve in the months after surgery. Because the nose contains not only the outer skin and soft tissue but is also supported by an intricate combination of cartilage and bone, subtle changes occur over time as these structures heal. Usually, the final result from rhinoplasty can only be assessed after a year has passed. However, as the year progresses, Dr. Jen Chow is often able to help shape the healing process. For this reason, he recommends periodic visits after surgery within the first year to make certain your nose is healing well.
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