At Swartout Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Benjamin Swartout skillfully performs rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills, CA to help patients improve their facial aesthetics as well as regain their confidence.
As the most dominant facial feature, we naturally draw our eyes to the nose — especially when it is out of proportion with the other facial characteristics. The nose is a source of self-consciousness for many people. Fortunately, rhinoplasty can help correct any aesthetic issues and improve facial harmony.
- What is Rhinoplasty?
- Types of Rhinoplasty Surgery
- Why Choose Nose Surgery?
- Candidates for a Nose Job
- Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
- Getting Ready for a Nose Job Surgery
- Rhinoplasty Procedure
- Rhinoplasty Techniques
- Recovering From Rhinoplasty Surgery in Beverly Hills
- Cost of Rhinoplasty
- Risks and Complications of Nose Surgery
- Complementary Procedures For Rhinoplasty
- Rhinoplasty FAQs
What is Rhinoplasty?
A prominent nose can detract from a person’s natural attractiveness, drawing attention away from the eyes, lips, and other facial features. The nose can also contribute to poor facial balance, making other features, like the chin, appear weak. Other issues can throw off the overall facial aesthetics, such as:
- A hump or bump on the bridge of the nose
- crookedness or asymmetry
- unattractive nasal tip
For this reason, rhinoplasty is a versatile procedure that can correct a wide range of aesthetic and functional concerns in the nose. So, by surgically reshaping the nasal bones and cartilage, a nose surgeon can permanently transform the nose and create a more appealing aesthetic. Surgery can help correct facial balance issues and make changes that help patients gain self-esteem and feel more confident in social situations.
Related procedures: Otoplasty, Corrective Nose Surgery.
Before & After Pictures
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Types of Rhinoplasty Surgery
Cosmetic rhinoplasty is the most common type of nose surgery. However, there are several specialized types of rhinoplasty that may better suit certain patients’ needs. These include:
Ethnic Rhinoplasty
Skilled modern cosmetic surgeons like Dr. Swartout understand the importance of keeping each patient’s ethnic identity when making adjustments to the nose. Instead of attempting to “Westernize” the nose, Dr. Swartout takes his patients’ unique rhinoplasty goals and incorporates them in such a way as to keep their heritage while still delivering desired results.
African American, Asian, Latin, Middle Eastern, or other backgrounds may all have different skin thicknesses, nasal structures, as well as tendencies for scarring. Dr. Swartout’s training allows him to adapt and customize his techniques for each patient to create the most optimal result possible, regardless of ethnicity or nasal structure.
Functional Rhinoplasty
Although many rhinoplasty procedures are solely cosmetic, functional rhinoplasty is also a common procedure. It can correct structural issues in the nose that may cause breathing issues, such as a deviated septum. Many patients combine functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty, choosing to have both aesthetic and practical changes made at the same time.
Revision Rhinoplasty
Occasionally, a primary rhinoplasty does not go as planned. Whether it was the surgeon’s lack of skill, poor healing, or miscommunication, some procedures require revision. It must be remembered that this is a complex and difficult surgery that requires the skill of an experienced facial surgery specialist. However, working with a skilled surgeon from the beginning can help prevent complications and optimize results.
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Why Choose Nose Surgery?
Choosing rhinoplasty is a personal decision, but most people interested in nasal surgery have similar reasons for choosing the surgery. Many of our Beverly Hills rhinoplasty patients have disliked the appearance of their noses from a young age. Although the nose does not stop growing until the mid-to-late teens, facial balance issues, a dorsal hump, or crookedness are often present from adolescence.
Many patients see Dr. Swartout address similar complaints. These include:
- A nose that is too small or too large
- A prominent nasal hump or bump
- A flat bridge
- A crooked nose
- A poorly shaped nasal tip
- A deviated septum
Dr. Swartout strives for a natural appearance using techniques designed to create a nose that looks great with the patient’s other features yet maintains or improves functionality. To emphasize, his philosophy is “beauty by birth,” meaning that his patients appear to have been born with their new features.
A “cookie-cutter” approach is where a doctor performs the same changes to each patient’s nose. This technique is outdated of course, and Dr. Swartout subscribes to newer aesthetic ideals that promote uniqueness as well as a high degree of customization.
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Candidates for a Nose Job
If the appearance or function of your nose dissatisfies you and you would like to make permanent changes, rhinoplasty could be a good option for you. Prospective patients should be adults in good health who do not smoke (or are willing to quit well before and after the surgery). Smoking interacts poorly with anesthesia and interferes with healing after surgery.
There is no ideal age for rhinoplasty surgery though it’s recommended only after a patient’s nose has stopped growing and has a fully developed facial structure. Intervening too early can impact the nose’s growth and facial and affect the procedure’s long-term results. Girls’ noses typically stop growing around age 15-16, and boys’ around 17-18.
Patients under 18 will need parental consent to undergo rhinoplasty. It is important for teenage rhinoplasty patients to be psychologically mature to undergo this procedure, especially since results may take up to a year to become fully evident.
It is important for rhinoplasty candidates to have realistic expectations of what the surgery can accomplish. If you’re not sure what to expect after rhinoplasty, looking at before and after photos can be helpful for setting your expectations. Be sure to address any questions or concerns you may have with your surgeon during the initial consultation prior to your surgery.
Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
Prospective patients dissatisfied with their noses should attend a rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Swartout to learn more and discuss their goals with an expert. During the consultation, Dr. Swartout asks each patient about their unique concerns, and medical history and goes over the procedure in depth.
The doctor may also provide photo imaging to show three-dimensional transformations possible from multiple views. He may ask patients to bring photos of their ideal noses to the appointment so he can determine whether the look will suit their facial anatomy with their aesthetic goals. 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.
Getting Ready for a Nose Job Surgery
Before the day of your cosmetic surgery in Beverly Hills, Dr. Swartout will give you some preparation instructions. Consequently, if you smoke, you will need to quit a month or two before surgery. You will also need to stop taking certain medications and supplements a week or two prior to the procedure. Dr. Swartout will provide you with a detailed list.
On the night before surgery, you can not eat or drink anything after midnight. This is because we give patients general anesthesia during most procedures and eating or drinking can cause complications. You should also have someone drive you home and stay with you during the first few days of your rhinoplasty recovery.
Rhinoplasty Procedure
Typically, Dr. Swartout performs nasal surgery under general anesthesia. Rhinoplasty is an invasive surgery and general anesthesia helps to ensure our patients’ comfort.
Once the patient is asleep, Dr. Swartout makes the incisions. They will be placed inside the nose (closed approach) or externally in the skin between the nostrils (open approach).
Rhinoplasty can be used to reshape the base, bridge, tip, and nostrils. Dr. Swartout may place and shape cartilage grafts, break and reset the nasal bones, straighten the septum, and use other surgical techniques to achieve the patient’s desired nose size and shape.
Cartilage grafts are taken from the septum, ears, or ribs to add definition and shape to a nose. If you have any medical issues, such as a deviated septum, Dr. Swartout can also address those during the procedure.
After the procedure, the surgeon places dissolving or traditional sutures to close the small incisions. A friend or family member should be present after the surgery to drive the patient home after they are released and to make sure you feel comfortable. Most procedures last around 2-3 hours.
Rhinoplasty Techniques
There are two popular rhinoplasty techniques used by plastic surgeons. The open approach is generally preferred since it allows the surgeon easy access to the nasal tissue and structures. However, the closed approach typically leaves a smaller, less visible scar and may be ideal for certain procedures.
Open Rhinoplasty
With the open approach, there is a small incision along the columella (the skin between the nostrils) on the undersurface of the nose. The surgeon then lifts the skin back to reveal the placement of tissue and the underlying structure of the nose.
The incision is typically difficult to see once it heals. The open approach is used for corrections such as straightening out the middle section of the nose (the soft, cartilage part) or improving a crooked tip.
Closed (Endonasal) Rhinoplasty
When Dr. Swartout uses the closed rhinoplasty approach, he hides the incisions inside the nose. This makes any scar tissue almost impossible to see. Dr. Swartout may use the closed approach to straighten the upper third of the nose or remove a hump.
Prior to surgery, Dr. Swartout examines each patient’s nose and discusses surgical goals to determine which technique will best suit each procedure. More complex procedures will almost always use the open technique to ensure results.
Recovering From Rhinoplasty Surgery in Beverly Hills
After surgery, patients are fitted with a nasal cast or splint. The splint will help the nose maintain its new shape during healing and will remain in place for about a week to 10 days. Occasionally, nasal packing may be necessary for a few days wherein gauze is inserted into the nose to put pressure on the septum as it heals.
It takes time for your nose to heal after surgery. Do not remove the nasal cast, split, or packing unless ordered by your surgeon as it could influence the final results of your procedure.
Rhinoplasty Los Angeles patients may use prescribed pain medication to reduce any discomfort. Patients will notice bruising under the eyes and swelling in the mid-face that can last up to a few weeks during the recovery period. Swelling after rhinoplasty can be reduced in many ways. However, if you experience any severe swelling, bleeding, or pain after the procedure, let your surgeon’s office know as soon as possible.
To encourage proper healing and optimal rhinoplasty results, it is important for patients to follow all of Dr. Swartout’s post-op instructions as closely as possible. Poor healing can include visible nose job scars. You will want to consider taking a week or two off of work while you recover from your procedure. Patients are advised to sleep with their heads elevated to reduce swelling. They should also avoid strenuous activities for around 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Nasal breathing is typically difficult for about 3 weeks after the surgery because of swelling. Residual swelling may remain for a year or longer until the nose gradually settles into its final shape.
Cost of Rhinoplasty
The average cost of rhinoplasty is between $5,000 and $6,000. Prices vary based on the type of procedure (open versus closed), patient goals, facility location, and anesthesia fees. After your consultation with Dr. Swartout, you will be sent an estimate for the rhinoplasty cost.
Can insurance cover rhinoplasty?
Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not covered by health insurance. However, rhinoplasty that corrects structural defects that impair the patient’s breathing- such as a deviated septum, cleft palate, or cleft lip- is considered medically necessary.
In these scenarios, all or part of the procedure will be covered by private health insurance. Check with our office and your insurance prior to your procedure to see if you qualify.
Risks and Complications of Nose Surgery
Although safe overall, rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves some risk. And you reduce risk by choosing a skilled rhinoplasty surgeon to perform your procedure. Complications and risks may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Anesthesia complications
- Unfavorable scarring
- Poor cosmetic result
- Breathing problems
Complementary Procedures For Rhinoplasty
For some patients, a combination of cosmetic procedures can yield the best results. Cosmetic nose surgery pairs well with chin augmentation, a procedure in which we place a permanent synthetic implant to increase chin projection. By creating modest changes to the nose and balancing the side profile with a chin implant, a board-certified plastic surgeon can dramatically improve a patient’s facial harmony and balance. Sometimes, chin or jaw implants can also change the facial shape from a frontal view, creating a more central nasal position.
Cosmetic lip injections draw attention to a patient’s mouth, enhancing the volume of the upper and lower lips. Because we often modify the nose to make the lips more apparent, this extra step can further increase facial attractiveness and a youthful appearance. While many still perform lip implants, most facial plastic surgeons favor Restylane injections to enhance their volume as the results appear more natural.
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Why choose Dr. Swartout
- Fellowship trained sub-specialist in Facial Plastic surgery who attended college at Harvard University.
- Attended medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
- Interned in general surgery at New York University, followed by a specialty residency in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck surgery at New York University.
- Completed a fellowship in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he worked with Dr. Dean Toriumi.
- A member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery and the American Rhinologic Society.
- Teaches nasal surgery to residents at Harbor UCLA both to contribute to the education of future doctors and to give back to an underserved community.
- Special interests include the development of rhinoplasty techniques to create long lasting, favorable nasal shape and good nasal breathing.
Rhinoplasty FAQs
Pain levels following rhinoplasty are generally minimal. Usually, the first 24-72 hours are when patients feel the most pain. Typically, your nose will feel achy and tender with some congestion and sinus pressure. Your surgeon will give you a prescription for pain medication to relieve any discomfort directly following the procedure.
Be extra careful not to manipulate or bump your nose as it heals since this can affect your final results. Your nose may feel extra sensitive to the touch for up to three months after your procedure.
After about two weeks, your nose should have healed enough for you to take off any splits. At three months, swelling should have receded enough that you will begin to understand what your new nose looks like.
However, the final results might not be evident until about a year following your procedure. Most likely, only you will notice the subtle differences that occur after the three-month mark.
There is no ideal age for rhinoplasty surgery though it’s recommended only after a patient’s nose has stopped growing. Intervening too early can impact the nose’s growth and affect the procedure’s long-term results. Girls’ noses typically stop growing around age 15-16, and boys’ around 17-18.
Patients under 18 will need parental consent to undergo rhinoplasty in Los Angeles. It is important for teenage patients to be psychologically mature to undergo rhinoplasty.
When Dr. Swartout uses the closed (endonasal) rhinoplasty approach, he hides the incisions inside the nose. This makes any scar tissue almost impossible to see.
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. Prior to surgery, Dr. Swartout examines each patient’s nose and discusses surgical goals to determine which technique will best suit each procedure.
Dr. Swartout may achieve certain areas of correction (like straightening the upper third of the nose or removing a hump) using the endonasal approach. Other corrections, such as straightening out the middle section of the nose (the soft, cartilage part) or improving a crooked tip, may require the open approach.
If you live near Beverly Hills, CA, Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgery offers rhinoplasty among its services and is conveniently located at 414 North Camden Drive 8th Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
The septum is the wall between the two nostrils that divides the nasal passages 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 septum is crooked and the patient has trouble breathing, a septoplasty can straighten it out. This improves air passage through the nose, allowing for easier nasal breathing.
Swartout Facial Plastic Surgery
Benjamin G. Swartout, M.D. of Swartout Facial Plastic Surgery is a board-certified 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. Dr. Swartout’s practice dedicates all efforts to facial plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures to enhance the aesthetics of the face.
You can reach Swartout Facial Plastic Surgery for more information about rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills and the surrounding Los Angeles area. Schedule a consultation at (310) 861-7891.
