Rhinoplasty
About Rhinoplasty
A rhinoplasty, or ‘nose job’, is an aesthetic surgery for changing the shape and appearance of the nose. The operation can also address breathing or functional problems related to the nose at the same time. Oftentimes the goal of rhinoplasty surgery is to make subtle changes, however the results can be quite dramatic in improving facial harmony and overall appearance. Improving the shape of the nose while preserving the complex structural integrity of the anatomy makes rhinoplasty surgery the most difficult amongst cosmetic procedures.
Dr. Ghazizadeh spends considerable time with each patient with the aid of digital photographs taken in the clinic and a state of the art image-altering software program to determine what aesthetic goals each patient has and what outcomes will best fit each individual’s face. Some patients come with very specific results in mind, while others wish to seek more guidance in determining goals. For all patients, Dr. Ghazizadeh’s approach is to achieve balance, decrease imperfections, and improve the overall aesthetic harmony of the face.
Why Choose Dr. Ghazizadeh for your Rhinoplasty?
Dr. Ghazizadeh aims for a natural look that corrects the things you do not like about your nose, while maintaining nasal function and enhancing harmony with the rest of your facial features. She has exceptional qualifications, having completed a prestigious 5-year ACGME accredited training program at UCLA, one of the top Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery programs in the nation focusing on airway management, advanced sinus surgery and nasal reconstruction. She then pursued specialization in facial cosmetic surgery and specifically rhinoplasty and complex revision rhinoplasty surgery under the tutelage of renowned rhinoplasty expert Dr. David Kim, MD in San Francisco, CA. Dr. Ghazizadeh has performed hundreds of nasal and sinus surgeries per year for both breathing and cosmetic purposes.
From the pre-operative appointment to the surgical procedure, Dr. Ghazizadeh is committed to developing a precise shared surgical plan with each patient and analyzing what techniques can achieve the desired aesthetic result.
Commonly Corrected Problems in the Nose
There are a wide variety of “problem areas” for which nose surgery patients have been successfully treated. These areas can include (but are not limited to):
- Bump or hump on bridge of the nose
- Crooked nose
- Bridge too wide
- Bridge too flat
- Visible angles or ridges of nasal bones
- Nasal tip too wide or irregular
- Nostrils too flared or wide
- Nose too long
- Nose too short
- Nasal tip asymmetric
- Nasal tip pinched
- Nasal breathing obstruction
Types of Rhinoplasty
PRIMARY RHINOPLASTY
First time rhinoplasty, or primary rhinoplasty, is the best opportunity to create the nose a patient wishes they were born with and improve any undesired imperfections. The goal of this surgery should be to create improvements that look pleasing, but also fit the individual’s other features. Dr. Ghazizadeh believes that the cosmetic surgeon must be sensitive to variations (ethnicity, culture, familial, etc.) when guiding and treating patients and does not wish to create any one type of nose. Rather, the results of patients’ noses after nose surgery are quite diverse, reflecting the wide variations of her patients’ backgrounds, preferences and overall facial features.
REVISION RHINOPLASTY
Patients who experienced an unfavorable cosmetic outcome or breathing problems from a previous nasal surgery may seek revision rhinoplasty. When previous surgery has caused a weakening of the cartilage and/or bone of the nose, this can lead to collapse, pinching, or contraction even years after the original surgery. This surgery is significantly more complex due to scar tissue, damage to the native structure and limited material for supportive grafting. Dr. Ghazizadeh uses specialized techniques to restore the stability and interconnections of the cartilages and bone of the nose in order to improve contour, function, and appearance for a long-term optimal result.
COSMETIC RHINOPLASTY
Improving imperfections such as a crooked nose, prominent hump, droopy tip or many other issues to enhance the appearance of the nose, without addressing breathing problems, is cosmetic rhinoplasty. Dr. Ghazizadeh spends considerable time creating a detailed plan with patients to identify individual concerns, variations in the anatomy and limitations so that patients can expect a predictable, lasting result. Understanding a patient’s wishes and goals is critical to a successful cosmetic rhinoplasty. Beautiful results are then delivered in the operating room from meticulous technique and an unrelenting attention to detail.
FUNCTIONAL RHINOPLASTY
A procedure called a functional rhinoplasty is used to correct nasal breathing problems. Difficulty breathing can be a result of the patient’s native anatomy or from previous trauma. As an Otolaryngologist, or ENT, Dr. Ghazizadeh is specially trained in nasal breathing, and the anatomy of the sinus, septum and nasal passageways. There are several target valves and maneuvers that can be performed to improve the passage of air through the nose. Dr. Ghazizadeh performs rhinoplasties in a way in which both cosmetic and functional breathing problems can be corrected in the same operation.
What to Expect Following a Rhinoplasty
The recovery processes after a rhinoplasty surgery can take longer than other facial plastic surgery procedures. This is a known and expected part of the natural healing process after nasal surgery. Patients can expect healing and swelling to gradually improve in phases. It almost always takes 1 full year for final results to be appreciated and the nose to become fully refined and healed after rhinoplasty. Even before your surgery you will be scheduled for periodic follow-up appointments with Dr. Ghazizadeh to monitor your progress and results.
