Rhinoplasty, often known as a “nose job” is a surgery that is performed to change the shape, appearance, and/or the function of the nose. A prominent nose can detract from a person’s natural attractiveness, drawing attention away from the eyes, lips, and other features. A disproportionate or unattractive nose can also minimize strong bone structure and cause other features, namely the chin, to appear weak in comparison. Dr. Benjamin Swartout skillfully performs rhinoplasty surgery at Swartout Facial Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA to help patients improve their facial aesthetics and balance and regain their confidence.
Before & After Rhinoplasty Photos
Specialty Rhinoplasty Training
Rhinoplasty is considered to be one of the most difficult cosmetic procedures to perform successfully. The nose contains small, intricate structures and the way in which a nose will heal is sometimes difficult to predict. Cartilage is one of the main tissues in the nose, and because it is non-vascular, healing may be prolonged. Because the nose is a prominent but small feature, creating changes by the millimeter will dramatically impact a person’s overall look. Dr. Swartout has received years of specialty training, making him a renowned rhinoplasty surgeon in an area famed for its plastic surgeons – Beverly Hills.
After his two surgical residencies, Dr. Swartout completed a fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago where his focus was revision rhinoplasty. It was there that he first utilized advanced techniques for restoring nasal cartilage using rib cartilage grafts. The doctor continues to treat patients using innovative and creative solutions, whether he is performing an initial rhinoplasty or correcting a poor result from a patient’s prior procedure.
Rhinoplasty Consultation
Prospective patients who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their nose should attend a plastic surgery consultation to learn more about the rhinoplasty procedure and discuss their goals with an expert. Dr. Swartout asks each patient about their unique concerns and can explain surgical or other techniques that can improve nasal aesthetics. The doctor may also provide photo imaging to show three-dimensional transformations that are possible from multiple views. The doctor may ask patients to bring photos of their ideal nose to the appointment so he can determine if the look will harmonize with their facial anatomy. Dr. Swartout will establish candidacy during the patient’s consultation and encourages prospective patients to bring him their questions and concerns so he can address them prior to the procedure.
Common Complaints in Rhinoplasty Patients
Many patients see Dr. Swartout to address similar complaints. Many people want to change the size of their nose or minimize a nasal hump and refine the tip. Other patients may conversely feel that their nose is too small for their face, and the bridge must be raised and the tip elongated. These changes can be performed through cartilage implants. The symmetry of the nose may also be corrected by various methods to create a straighter, more uniform feature. There are numerous other changes that can be made at the patient’s request—everything is customized.
A Natural Nose
Dr. Swartout strives for a natural, un-operated appearance using techniques designed to create a nose that looks great with the patient’s other features yet maintains or improves functionality. His philosophy is beauty by birth, where patients appear to have been born with their new features. A “cookie-cutter” nose job approach is where a doctor performs the same changes to each patient’s nose. This technique is outdated, and Dr. Swartout subscribes to newer aesthetic ideals that promote individuality and customization.
Complementary Procedures
Cosmetic nose surgery pairs well with chin augmentation, a procedure in which an implant is inserted under the skin and affixed into place. By creating modest changes to the nose and balancing the side profile by enlarging a weak chin, a patient’s facial aesthetics and harmony between the features are improved. In some cases, chin or jaw implants can also change the facial shape from a frontal view, elongating the look and creating a more central nasal position.
Dear Dr. Swartout. Thank you so much for all of your help, compassion, patience, and expertise! We are so grateful!
Cosmetic lip injections draw attention to a patient’s mouth, enhancing the volume of the upper and lower lips. Because the nose is often modified so the lips are more apparent, this extra step can further increase facial attractiveness. While lip implants are still sometimes performed, most facial plastic surgeons favor Restylane injections to enhance their volume as the results appear very natural.
Rhinoplasty FAQs
What is a safe age to consider nose surgery?
There is no ideal age for rhinoplasty surgery, though it should be performed after a patient’s nose has stopped growing. Intervening too early can impact the growth of the nose and the doctor’s ability to create nasal symmetry. Girls’ noses typically stop growing around age 15-16, and boys’ around 17-18. Patients under the age of 18 will need parental consent to undergo rhinoplasty.
Patients should also be psychologically mature to undergo nose surgery. The procedure can be a stress-inducing event and requires a specific readiness to thrive throughout the healing process. This can be determined by conversations during the consultation, including discussing the surgery and the expected postoperative recovery period. A mature patient will be realistic about the outcome and ask appropriate questions.
What is the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty?
When Dr. Swartout utilizes the closed or endonasal approach to rhinoplasty, all the incisions are hidden inside the nose. With the open approach, there is a small incision along the columella (the skin between the nostrils) on the undersurface of the nose. When this heals it is typically difficult to see.
Dr. Swartout will examine each patient’s nose and discuss surgical goals to determine which technique will best suit each case. Some areas of correction, like straightening the upper third of the nose or removing a hump may be adequately achieved using the endonasal approach. Other corrections, like straightening out the middle section of the nose (the soft, cartilage part) or improving a crooked tip, may require the open approach.
What is the septum?
The septum is the wall between the two nostrils that divides the air passageway into a right and a left side. Some people have a crooked (or deviated) septum. This means that the twisted cartilage is taking up more space in the nose and preventing the passage of air, typically on one side.
If a patient’s septum is crooked and he or she has trouble breathing, it can be straightened out during a surgery called septoplasty. This improves air passage through the nose, allowing for easier nasal breathing.
What can be expected of the rhinoplasty healing process?
Patients are fitted with a nasal cast and sometimes nasal packing after the procedure. This ensures the nose maintains its new shape during healing. The packing can be removed in a couple of days, but the splint remains in place for about a week to 10 days. Patients will notice bruising under the eyes and swelling in the mid-face that can last for up to a few weeks. Residual swelling remains for up to a year or longer, and the nose will gradually settle into its final shape. Patients should avoid strenuous activities for around 4-6 weeks after surgery. Nasal breathing is typically difficult for about 3 weeks after the surgery due to swelling.
About Dr. Swartout
Benjamin G. Swartout, M.D. of Swartout Facial Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA is a Southern California facial plastics expert. After earning his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, Dr. Swartout completed his medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He was trained during a general surgery residency followed by a residency in otolaryngology (head and neck surgery), at New York University. The doctor then furthered his training in Chicago at the University of Illinois. Dr. Swartout practices in Beverly Hills. His practice is dedicated to facial plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures to enhance the aesthetics of the face.
Swartout Facial Plastic Surgery can be reached in Beverly Hills at (310) 274-6005 for rhinoplasty consultation appointments and general questions.
Related procedures: Eyelid Surgery, Otoplasty.
