Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a nose job, is performed to correct apparent imperfections in the structure of the nose. Types of modifications that a surgeon might work on during a rhinoplasty surgery include:

• Removing a hump on the nose (Preservation Rhinoplasty)
• Straightening the bridge of the nose
• Reshaping the nasal  tip
• Increasing or decreasing the size of the nostrils
• Correcting the nose after an injury
• Opening breathing passages
• Making the nose larger or smaller

This page forms a comprehensive resource on the rhinoplasty procedure, different considerations for people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and what you can expect before and after the procedure. 

Read on to learn more.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty procedures were one of the top 5 cosmetic surgeries in the U.S. in 2020. Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure used to change the shape of your nose. 

The procedure may be performed to make the shape of the nose more aesthetically appealing, to improve breathing, or both. A facial plastic surgeon may achieve this by manipulating the nose's bone, cartilage, or skin. 

As a rhinoplasty specialist, Dr. Greco’s goal is to give you a result that functions well and fits the characteristics of your face without an over–operated look.

A revision rhinoplasty procedure is performed to correct any concerns arising from a previous nose surgery. While in some cases, only a minor touch-up may be needed to correct the situation, others may need a more involved reconstruction to correct a previous poor result, which may involve cartilage harvesting from the ear or rib.

It is also possible that after the initial procedure, the nose may continue to change. This usually occurs if excessive cartilage or bone is removed during the first procedure. 

Ethnic rhinoplasty involves surgically refining the shape of the nose while preserving the patient’s ethnic identity. Best practices for rhinoplasty have been in use for many years now. 

The trouble is that these best practices were developed from beauty norms for Caucasian people. Unfortunately, these beauty ideals do not meet the requirements of a more diverse population. The nose's size, structure, shape, and overall appearance tend to differ across different cultural and ethnic groups. 

Your nose is a central feature of your face, reflecting your ancestry and heritage. Making changes to your nose can be daunting if you feel that your cultural identity may be lost to beauty standards that don’t match your cultural context. Ethnic rhinoplasty addresses this by ensuring that your ethnic individuality is retained while achieving your aesthetic goals. 

The degree of change desired is a patient’s personal preference. Digital imaging, performed during a rhinoplasty consultation, allows the patient to express their preferences.

Liquid rhinoplasty is a non-surgical technique for nose reshaping that involves the use of dermal injectable fillers. It can effectively smooth out humps, bumps, or irregularities of your nose, while improving the symmetry of the nose, using a non-surgical technique.

If you are considering getting an aesthetic procedure for your nose but are unsure about rhinoplasty surgery and the associated downtime, a liquid rhinoplasty may be right for you.

Read about the most commonly asked questions from Dr. Greco’s patients about rhinoplasty.

Full recovery after a rhinoplasty procedure varies from patient to patient.  It can take up to a year for your face to heal completely and reveal the new shape of your nose. 

While patients can return home or to a nearby hotel the same day after the surgery, there are usually several follow-up visits with your surgeon after a rhinoplasty procedure. These visits are necessary to ensure that post-operative healing progresses as expected in the months after your procedure.

Before your surgery, it is preferable to plan for your rhinoplasty experience and talk to your surgeon in detail about your needs and expectations. Your face is the first representative of your identity, and your nose is the central focal point of the face.

Dr. Greco is Philadelphia’s foremost expert in rhinoplasty. He is single-minded in his focus on helping patients achieve their desired aesthetic improvements. Dr. Greco takes special care to determine what his patients' needs are to create individualized surgical plans for the best outcome. 

Dr. Timothy Greco is Philadelphia’s leading facial plastic surgeon, skilled at all types of rhinoplasty procedures that help patients improve facial harmony. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) and the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery (ABOto). 

Dr. Greco focuses solely on plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head, and neck at his in-office, state-certified aesthetic surgical center. If you’re looking for a rhinoplasty expert, Dr. Greco can help! 

Get in touch today to schedule a consultation with Philadelphia’s leading facial plastic surgeon. For appointments, call (610) 664-8830 or check the doctor’s schedule online.