Rhinoplasty (Nasal Reshaping)

Rhinoplasty, or nasal reshaping, is surgery used to correct several conditions of the nose, including the removal of a large nasal hump or the narrowing of the nostrils to improve the look and shape of your nose.

Dr. Mentz will discuss your expectations from the surgery, and because facial balance is important, he may use computer imaging to show you different options available for the size and shape of your nose. Cosmetic nose surgery may be performed on female patients as young as 15 or males as young as 17, but Dr. Mentz will determine if the surgery is appropriate depending on each individual case.

Rhinoplasty is normally performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia and lasts about one to two hours. Dr. Mentz will discuss the procedure in detail with you, including any associated risks.

After surgery, patients should plan to stay in bed and keep their head elevated for the first few days. Some procedures require a splint for your nose to help maintain its shape. Additionally, soft, plastic splints may be placed inside your nostrils to stabilize the airway. These splints are removed in five to seven days.

Most patients can return to their normal daily activities after about seven to ten days following surgery. Exercise and other strenuous activities may be resumed in about two weeks. You should be careful and not hit or rub your nose for approximately eight weeks after surgery, as well as avoid exposure to the sun for about two months after surgery.

Snoring and/or Difficulty Breathing

Snoring and/or breathing problems may be an indication that you are a candidate for nasal surgery, or septoplasty. Snoring and breathing problems develop when the septum, the dividing wall between the air passages, becomes crooked and causes obstruction of the nasal passageway. During nasal surgery, incisions are made inside the nostrils so the shape or position of the septum can be corrected to improve the nasal airway.

Nasal surgery is normally performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia and takes approximately one to two hours to complete. Dr. Mentz will discuss all associated risks with you, as well as care to be taken following the surgery. Patients should plan to stay in bed with the head elevated for the first few days following surgery.

A nasal deformity may indicate a more serious medical condition and may be covered by your health insurance plan.