The nose is a central feature of the face that attracts a lot of attention for obvious reasons. That’s why rhinoplasty is one of the most popular types of plastic surgery/cosmetic surgery. There are multiple techniques involved in this operation. Some surgeons perform minor adjustments, while others focus on major changes such as removing bumps or correcting crooked noses.
Rhinoplasty costs vary depending on where you live and the surgeon performing the procedure. This depends on whether you opt for a certified surgeon or go to a less experienced doctor. If you want one of the best possible result, you should consider going to a well-known cosmetic surgeon. He or she will likely charge more because they have experience and training. Also, the more in demand the surgeon is, the more he/she charges.
What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is plastic surgery performed on the nose for cosmetic reasons or reconstructive reasons. It can improve airflow through the nasal passages in people who have problems like nasal congestion and involves reshaping the nose to correct problems caused by birth defects, injury, infection, or aging.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures today because it improves both facial appearance and nasal breathing. Rhinoplasty is often performed to correct structural deformities such as a deviated septum, large nose tip, or narrow nostrils. However, many patients elect to undergo rhinoplasty for purely aesthetic reasons.
Types of rhinoplasty
Surgical rhinoplasty
Closed rhinoplasty
This is a type of cosmetic surgery that performs one small incision at the base of the nose, an area called the columella. This is a quicker type of surgery, but in general, the exposure is more limited, and is limited to very minor modifications as modifications involving the tip of the nose, or ultrasonic rhinoplasty, cannot be practiced using closed rhinoplasty. Recovery, however, is the same as in open ultrasonic rhinoplasty.
Open rhinoplasty (external rhinoplasty)
This is a type of facial plastic surgery that uses the exact same incisions as closed rhinoplasty, , procedure that is commonly performed on candidates for rhinoplasty who require precise and accurate cosmetic changes to their noses. Your head and neck surgeon practicing in facial plastic surgery will create an incision along the columellar line, along with multiple incisions inside the nose. Once the incisions are made, they can lift the outer layer of the nostril lining exposing the inner layers of tissue.
They then modify and reshape excess tissue causing distortion of the nostrils and reshape them into a more aesthetically pleasing shape. After the surgery is completed, the incisions are stitched closed and the patient is given instructions to avoid strenuous activity until healed. Patients may experience minor swelling and bruising around the eyes and mouth following open rhinoplastic surgery. Most patients return home the same day and resume normal activities within a week.
Which is better, open or closed rhinoplasty?
Septo-rhinoplasty
A septo-rhinoplasty is commonly performed to correct deviated septal cartilages to help those suffering from nasal congestion due to a deviated septum. The septum separates the two nostril openings. During surgery, the surgeon reshapes or removes the part of the septum that is causing problems and then reshapes the remaining portion of the septum so it is more symmetrical.
Ultrasonic rhinoplasty
This type of rhinoplasty is performed to alter the size and shape of the nasal bones without breaking them to achieve a desired aesthetic appearance. The surgeon uses a piezoelectric insert to mold the bones without damaging the soft tissues, and this helps achieved results that are more precise, and also has the advantage of causing less swelling and less bruising. Patients end up looking significantly less bruised and better, compared to conventional rhinoplasty which uses rasps, chisels, and hammers to break the bones.
Revision rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty, is rhinoplasty performed on patients who already have had prior rhinoplasty. These patients require special care as the tissues are often scarred down, and cartilage from the nose is often unavailable for grafting purposes. These surgeries are more expensive as they require more time in the operating room and often require extra grafting material like rib cartilage.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty
Non-surgical nose jobs use injectable fillers to change and reshape a patient’s nose without nasal surgery. This is one of the best option for someone who wishes to alter the shape in a minimal way and avoid surgery altogether. This cosmetic procedure can smooth bumps, straighten hooked or crooked noses, and correct nasal tip droops. The results are immediate and last for up to a year.
Non-surgical rhinoplasties can be carried out in a few minutes. Patients who opt for a non-surgical procedure may be able to return to their regular routines the day following the procedure.
Benefits of non-surgical rhinoplasty
How much does rhinoplasty cost in Canada?
The answer is not straightforward due to the fact that rhinoplasty costs depend on factors such as the province where you live and the surgeon who’s performing the nose job. The average cost for rhinoplasty surgery in Canada ranges from $7,000 to $15,000. However, since this is always a custom facial plastic surgery so the surgical procedure can cost as much as $25,000 for more complex or revision cases.
Rhinoplasty costs
The costs included in the price of this surgery generally include:
- Operating room rental fee
- Surgical nurse assistant fees
- Nursing circulator fees
- Anesthesia equipment fees
- Anesthetist fees
- Surgeon fees
- Consumable surgical instruments and sutures
- Recovery room nurse fees
- Sterilization of surgical instruments
- Nasal implants, or donated rib cartilage if needed
- Disposable surgical equipment
- Post-surgery garments, if needed
- Follow-up care
What affects the cost of rhinoplasty?
The amount charged for rhinoplasty varies depending on several factors including the level of expertise of the surgeon performing the surgery, the complexity of the case, the location where the surgery takes place, whether it is performed under local or general anesthesia, and how many hours of work go into the procedure.
Non-surgical procedures typically charge less than surgical procedures because they are less invasive, don’t require general anesthesia, and reduce facility fees. However, there are still some costs associated with each type of procedure. For example, while non-surgical procedures are usually less expensive, they are often done in outpatient facilities whereas surgical procedures are usually performed in surgery center settings.
Here are the main factors that affect nose job costs:
- Time in the operating room: This is the single most important factor that affects the cost of surgery. Surgeon that take more time, either to give the patient additional precision in the results, or because the case is a complex revision case, will charge more given the fact that the surgery duration is longer, and time in the operating room is charged on a per-minute basis to the surgeon.
- Provider: A more experienced and specialized provider will generally charge more for their services. This includes surgeons who specialize in rhinoplasty surgery, head and neck surgeon practicing in facial plastic surgerys, otolaryngologists, etc.
- Surgery center: Rhinoplasty surgeries can take place in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, or physician offices.
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia is used during rhinoplasty surgery to ensure that patients remain asleep throughout the entire procedure. Patients who undergo rhinoplasty under general anesthesia will likely pay more than those who receive local anesthesia, as they are under the precise monitoring of a certified anesthesiologist.
- Technology: surgeons who use ultrasonic rhinoplasty tend to charge more for this procedure that adds more precision, but also has added costs for the use of the technology
- Facility fees: There are additional fees that come along with having a rhinoplasty performed in a particular setting. These include facility fees, equipment rental fees, and operating room fees. Facility fees vary based on the size of the practice and the number of rooms required.
Is rhinoplasty covered by insurance?
If you are getting rhinoplasty for reconstructive purposes it may be covered by insurance depending on your health insurance plan. However, insurance companies require a detailed examination in order to determine the cause of your breathing impairment and it’s important to note that most insurers don’t cover cosmetic rhinoplasties.
Is a surgical nasal reconstruction right for me?
A surgical nose job is one of the best option if you are looking for permanent changes to the size and shape of your nose. Depending on your requirements, a surgeon can make your nose smaller (nose reduction), make your nose larger (nose augmentation), change the shape of your nose (including the nostrils), or change the angle between the nose and top lip.
If the appearance of your nose is causing you mental distress or having a major impact on your self-confidence, then a surgical rhinoplasty can help. From a medical perspective, if you’re looking to improve your breathing through surgery, then rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) is your only option.
Recovery after rhinoplasty
Following rhinoplasty, patients may experience swelling and bruising near the incision site. This typically subsides within a couple of days. Some patients report feeling uncomfortable while wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses for the first few weeks.
The recovery period varies depending on how much work is done. Most people return to work after one week. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for three weeks following the operation. If you feel pain or discomfort, you should contact your surgeon immediately.
Book a rhinoplasty consultation with a board-certified head and neck surgeon practicing in facial plastic surgery
Dr. Sami Moubayed is a leading expert on cosmetic surgeries of the face and nose in Montreal. If you are looking for a nose job, don’t hesitate to contact Clinique Face MD for a consultation.
Our clinic performs the following types of rhinoplasties:
