A primary rhinoplasty takes about an hour to complete. If it’s a revision rhinoplasty, it can take about an hour and a half to two hours, due to having to harvest some cartilage from the rib or elsewhere.
Rhinoplasty is a superficial surgery where we sculpt the bone and the cartilage in the nose to change its form. At my practice, we also change the nasal septum to make it easier to breathe. If a septoplasty is needed, it is almost always done during a rhinoplasty.
Do I go under anesthesia during rhinoplasty?
Most rhinoplasties are performed under general anesthesia, but I have done a lot of these surgeries under local anesthesia with heavy intravenous sedation. I prefer performing this surgery under general anesthesia because I don’t want them to have any level of alertness when I’m making changes in their nose. The little bit of blood that comes from the nose is handled more easily if the patient is asleep.
Is rhinoplasty a major surgery?
It depends on how you look at it. It is a major event in your life in that it will make you prettier or more handsome — I can guarantee that. The beautiful thing about noses is that they’re all different, and this variation is intriguing to me. I like to maximize the appearance of the face by sculpting the nose in relation to a patient’s features.
If you have questions about rhinoplasty, an operation that I love to perform and have done greater than 6,500 in my lifetime, call me, email me, and come in for a consultation.
Have questions?
Email Dr. Sykes at [email protected]
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About Dr. Jonathan Sykes
Dr. Jonathan Sykes is a world-famous expert plastic surgeon who performs all cosmetic and functional plastic surgery procedures on the face and neck. He is a past president of The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and served on their Board of Directors for over 10 years. He is also a Professor Emeritus in Facial Plastic Surgery from UC Davis Medical Center, and the former Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at that institution. He is known as the expert’s expert, and is often called to consult and advise other plastic surgeons in both Northern California and Beverly Hills. He has a special interest in eyelid and browlift surgery, facial rejuvenation surgery, including facelifts and rhinoplasty.
