Rhinoplasty

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Overview

Balance, not transformation

Rhinoplasty is one of the most technically demanding procedures in plastic surgery. Millimeter differences matter, the nose is central to facial identity, and the outcomes depend on precise structural work — not aggressive reduction.

Modern rhinoplasty emphasizes preservation of natural anatomy and targeted changes that refine the nose’s harmony with the rest of the face. Whether the goal is adjusting the dorsum (bridge), refining the tip, or improving function (breathing), rhinoplasty is fundamentally about balance. The best outcomes are the ones where no one can say exactly what changed — only that the face now looks more composed.

A good rhinoplasty makes the face look more balanced — no one should be able to point to the nose and say why.

Candidacy

Who This Procedure Is For

Patients with specific concerns — a dorsal hump, wide tip, deviation, or asymmetry — who’ve considered the decision carefully and can articulate what they’d like to change.
Patients whose facial growth is complete (typically age 16 and up for females, 17 and up for males) so that the underlying structure won’t keep changing after surgery.
Patients in good general health and non-smokers — nicotine impairs healing of the delicate nasal tissues and meaningfully raises complication risk.
Patients with realistic expectations: rhinoplasty is about refinement, not radical change. The best candidates want their own nose, improved — not a different nose entirely.
Patients with functional issues — a deviated septum, turbinate enlargement, or chronic breathing difficulty — often benefit from combined functional and aesthetic work during the same procedure.

The Procedure

How It’s Performed

Open vs. closed technique

Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions entirely inside the nose. Open rhinoplasty adds a small incision across the columella — the narrow strip of tissue between the nostrils. Open technique gives the surgeon full visibility for complex or revision work; closed is used for more limited changes where access through internal incisions is sufficient. Dr. Arredondo selects based on what the anatomy actually requires, not a preference for one over the other.

Structural preservation

Modern rhinoplasty preserves more native tissue than older reduction-focused techniques. Cartilage is repositioned and reshaped rather than removed aggressively. Grafts — small pieces of cartilage taken from the septum or, if needed, the ear — may be used to support the new shape long-term. The principle is simple: what you build on the operating table has to hold up for decades, and aggressive reduction tends not to age well.

Functional component

Septoplasty (straightening a deviated septum) and turbinate work for breathing issues can be performed simultaneously with aesthetic rhinoplasty. Many patients who pursue cosmetic changes also have an underlying functional problem that has been quietly bothering them for years. Functional work is often covered by insurance when diagnostic criteria are met — a conversation worth having during consultation.

Anesthesia & duration

General anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility. Rhinoplasty typically takes two to four hours depending on complexity, with revision and functional cases running longer. Same-day discharge is standard, with a splint in place on the bridge of the nose for the first week.

Recovery

What to Expect After Surgery

First 48 hours

Splint, congestion, elevation

A splint sits on the bridge of the nose, internal congestion is significant, and swelling is at its peak. Rest with the head elevated. Bruising around the eyes is common in the first days.

Week 1

Splint off, bruising fading

The splint is removed around day 7. Most visible swelling is still present at this point, and bruising continues to fade. The nose looks “operated” — that’s expected. The final shape is not yet visible.

Weeks 2–4

Back to social activities

Return to work and social activities for most patients. Swelling continues to subside, and the overall shape of the nose begins to emerge — though the tip is still noticeably fuller than it will be.

6 weeks

Cleared for exercise

Cleared for exercise and most physical activity. Minor swelling persists, particularly in the tip, but the nose photographs and feels much closer to normal.

3–12 months

Final shape emerges

The final shape emerges slowly — particularly at the tip, which has the thickest skin and takes the longest to settle. Full refinement can take up to a year, which is why patience with the process is essential.

Honest Conversation

Things to Consider

Healing is slow by design. The nose takes a full year to settle, and the tip is always the slowest part. Patients who expect a quick “final look” at six weeks are going to be disappointed — the process rewards patience.
Skin thickness matters. Thicker skin hides underlying structural changes and limits how much definition is achievable; thinner skin shows everything, including minor irregularities. This is a conversation to have honestly during consultation, because it shapes what’s realistic.
Revision rates are real. Even in experienced hands, the industry-wide revision rate for rhinoplasty is roughly 10 to 15 percent. This reflects how unforgiving the procedure is, not a failure of technique. Planning for the possibility is part of being a thoughtful patient.
Expectations shape satisfaction. The patients who are happiest with their rhinoplasty results are the ones who wanted a refined version of their own nose — not a nose borrowed from a reference photo or a filter.
No glasses for four to six weeks. The bones of the nose need to heal without pressure on the bridge. Patients who wear prescription glasses daily need to plan for contacts, tape-supported frames, or alternatives during that window.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

How long before I look normal? +

Most patients look presentable in public by the end of week two and “normal” to a non-critical eye by six weeks. The refined final shape, particularly in the tip, takes three to twelve months to fully emerge. The process is gradual, not sudden.

Will there be visible scars? +

With closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are inside the nose and leave no visible scar. With open rhinoplasty, a small incision across the columella — the tissue between the nostrils — typically heals to a nearly invisible line within a few months. In practice, most patients can’t find it.

Can you show me what my nose will look like? +

Digital imaging can help illustrate proposed changes and align expectations between patient and surgeon. It’s a useful tool — not a guarantee. The final result depends on your anatomy, skin thickness, and healing, all of which are different from a rendered image. Used honestly, imaging is a starting point for conversation, not a promise.

What about breathing problems? +

Breathing issues are addressed during the same surgery when they’re present. A deviated septum or enlarged turbinates can be corrected simultaneously with aesthetic changes, and functional work is often covered by insurance when diagnostic criteria are met. Many patients are surprised to discover how much better they breathe afterward.

Why do some rhinoplasties need revision? +

Rhinoplasty is unforgiving. Tiny changes in swelling, scarring, and cartilage behavior over months can produce small asymmetries or residual concerns that weren’t predictable at the time of surgery. Industry-wide, revision rates run roughly 10 to 15 percent, even in experienced hands. A careful primary operation — preservation-focused, not over-reductive — is the best insurance against ever needing one.

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