Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, or nasal contouring, is performed for men and women who are unhappy with the size and shape of their nose or whose nasal structure prevents them from breathing easily. Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex plastic surgery procedures and requires a plastic surgeon with a high degree of skill and artistry to achieve the most attractive results. In the hands of a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, the procedure should only need to be performed once. Dr. Howard Sutkin offers revision rhinoplasty for patients who are unhappy with their original results from other plastic surgeons. Dr. Sutkin performs rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty at his Bay Area offices in San Jose and Los Gatos, California.

Rhinoplasty Candidates

Rhinoplasty is one of the few plastic surgery procedures that is performed regularly for teenagers and adults alike. Female patients need to be at least 14 to 15 years old, and the age limit for males is a little higher. This is because the nose is still maturing in early adolescence and does not stop growing until the mid-teenage years.

The Rhinoplasty Procedure

The purpose of rhinoplasty is to sculpt the nasal bone and the surrounding cartilage into a more aesthetically pleasing shape. An incision is made either inside the nose (closed rhinoplasty) or outside the nose (open rhinoplasty) in order to access the cartilage and bone. In open rhinoplasty, the incision is made between the nostrils.

The type of procedure performed depends upon the amount of access that the surgeon will need to the underlying nasal structures. If the procedure requires an extensive amount of contouring, then open rhinoplasty is usually the most appropriate option. The only drawback to open rhinoplasty is that it leaves a minute, almost imperceptible scar whereas the scars from closed rhinoplasty are completely hidden inside the nose. Closed rhinoplasty is frequently chosen because it often provides all the access that is needed. During a rhinoplasty consultation Dr. Sutkin will learn about your individual goals and will determine the technique is best suited for your procedure.

Dr. Sutkin will work to create the size, shape, and angel of your nose so that it is in harmony with other facial features. To learn more about the rhinoplasty procedure, we invite you to contact our practice today.