- What is rhinoplasty?
- What is a revision rhinoplasty?
- How old do I have to be to have rhinoplasty?
- Am I a good candidate for rhinoplasty?
- How do I choose a rhinoplasty surgeon?
- Is digital imaging important?
- What is the cost of rhinoplasty?
- Will the Ministry of Health (OHIP) or my insurance cover all or part of the procedure?
- What type of anesthetic is used during the procedure?
- How long is the procedure?
- Will I have nasal packing?
- How long do I have to take off work/school?
- What will I look like at two weeks after surgery when I return to work?
- What about exercise and sports after rhinoplasty?
- When will I see the results?
- Can I have another plastic surgery procedure at the same time as my rhinoplasty?
- What is the consultation process like?
- What is the scariest part of the procedure?
What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a technical term for surgery that reshapes the nose. Dr. Rival performs rhinoplasty, also called nose surgery, in Toronto to address aesthetic concerns, for breathing correction or to correct a deformity following facial trauma. A septoplasty is a term used to describe the procedure where the midline partition between the 2 sides of the nose is straightened. This is usually done to improve nasal breathing but may also be necessary to straighten the external appearance of the nose.
What is a revision rhinoplasty?
Revision rhinoplasty, or secondary rhinoplasty, describes the procedure performed to correct problems arising from previous nose surgery.
How old do I have to be to have rhinoplasty?
The minimum age for rhinoplasty depends on both physical and emotional maturity. It’s important to wait until your facial growth is complete, which is approximately at age 14 or 15 for women and in the late teens for men. There is no upper age limit for rhinoplasty, as long as you are in good general health. Many women and men come to Dr. Rival for nose surgery in their 40s and 50s.
Am I a good candidate for rhinoplasty?
You are a good candidate for rhinoplasty if you are in good general health. You have been bothered by the appearance of your nose for some time (years). You are generally happy with yourself but just don’t like your nose. You are doing the procedure for yourself, not because of outside pressure from friends or family. You expect significant improvement but not perfection.
How do I choose a rhinoplasty surgeon?
Surgeons who are qualified to perform rhinoplasty in Canada are usually board certified in either:
- Facial plastic surgery, which focuses specifically on the face
- Otolaryngology (head and neck surgery), which focuses on treatment of the ears, nose, and throat
Dr. Richard Rival, a rhinoplasty surgeon in Toronto, has both certifications. While board certification is an essential prerequisite, make sure your surgeon has extensive experience performing the procedure and does so on a regular basis. Ask to see photos of previous patients. While these photos will likely show only the “best results,” you will able to determine whether the surgeon is able to produce the improvements you want by paying attention to cases in the photo gallery that are similar to yours.
Make sure the surgeon you choose carefully analyzes both the outside and inside of your nose and presents you with a clear plan for how he intends to approach your surgery. Also, consider the quality of your communication and rapport with your surgeon. These qualities will help you choose a surgeon who truly listens and who takes your concerns seriously.