Patients considering rhinoplasty at my Los Angeles plastic surgery practice typically have quite a few questions about the procedure. That’s understandable because it is one of the more complex surgeries that plastic surgeons perform.
Changing the size or shape of your nose—not to mention the possibility of addressing issues that make it difficult to breathe—is a significant decision, and we want to provide our patients with all of the answers they need to make an informed choice. In this blog post, I’ll address some of the most common questions I hear during consultations with rhinoplasty patients.
What is the ideal age to get rhinoplasty?
As with most elective cosmetic surgery procedures, there isn’t really an ideal age for rhinoplasty. A patient’s health and understanding of the benefits and risks involved is more important than someone’s age. That said, there are some guidelines, especially when it comes to younger patients, for when rhinoplasty is appropriate. Teenagers who want to get a nose job should wait until their noses are completely developed. For girls, that’s usually at about age 16. Boys should wait until they’re 17 or 18.
Can you be too old for rhinoplasty? The patient’s nasal anatomy and the elasticity of their skin are more important factors to consider than chronological age (if they’re otherwise in good health).
What does rhinoplasty cost?
Determining the cost of rhinoplasty involves a number of factors, including the training, experience, and credentials of the plastic surgeon; the geographic location of the practice; and the procedure’s complexity. For a first-time nose job, you can expect to pay between $10,000 and $20,000. Revision surgery and procedures that include addressing breathing issues will cost more. I always encourage patients not to bargain-shop for the least expensive rhinoplasty surgeon because the costliest surgery is the one that has to be revised.
Does insurance cover rhinoplasty if I have a deviated septum?
This a very common question. As you probably know, elective surgery isn’t covered by health insurance. Insurance policies do, however, cover the costs of procedures considered medically necessary—including septoplasty. But cosmetic changes made during a septoplasty procedure won’t be covered. It’s important to discuss the specifics with both your surgeon and the insurance company so that you won’t end up with an unwanted surprise after the procedure.
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Is rhinoplasty recovery painful?
Many patients are nervous about the recovery following rhinoplasty. They may have heard horror stories from a friend or read something online. The truth is that many of our patients are pleasantly surprised that there is less discomfort during recovery than expected. Everyone is different, of course, so it’s impossible to say what your experience will be like. We do provide detailed post-op instructions that, when closely followed, help minimize discomfort and speed up the healing process.
How soon after rhinoplasty can I get revision surgery?
Unfortunately, we do see patients who aren’t satisfied with the outcome of rhinoplasty surgeries performed elsewhere (see the answer about rhinoplasty costs above). People who aren’t happy with their results understandably want revision surgery as soon as possible. That means waiting at least a year after the original procedure. It can often take that long to see the final results, and your opinion may change at that point. Also, we want to make sure the nose is completely healed before performing a revision procedure.
Keep in mind that most rhinoplasty patients are very happy with the outcomes. You can see for yourself our actual patients’ results in the gallery of before-and-after photos. To request a consultation, you can contact us using the online form or call us at (310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment.
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