Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)
Achieve facial harmony with nose reshaping surgery. Refine your profile, improve breathing, or address previous trauma with natural-looking results that complement your unique features.
SURGERY TIME
2-4 Hours
ANESTHESIA
General
RECOVERY
1-2 Weeks
FINAL RESULTS
1 Year
Create Facial Balance & Harmony
Your nose is the central feature of your face—its size, shape, and proportions significantly impact your overall appearance and facial harmony. Whether you're unhappy with a dorsal hump, bulbous tip, crooked nose from trauma, or simply want better facial balance, rhinoplasty can create transformative yet natural-looking results.
Dr. Kim understands that successful rhinoplasty requires both technical precision and artistic vision. He customizes each procedure to your unique facial anatomy, ethnic features, and aesthetic goals—creating a nose that looks like it was always meant to be yours, never obviously "done." Whether addressing cosmetic concerns, breathing difficulties, or both, Dr. Kim delivers results that enhance your natural beauty.
Transformative Benefits
Refresh your entire appearance
Smooth Profile
Remove dorsal hump (bump on bridge) for elegant, straight profile line
Straighten Crooked Nose
Correct deviated or asymmetric nose from injury, trauma, or congenital deviation
Refined Tip
Narrow bulbous tip, define boxy tip, or lift drooping tip for more attractive appearance
Improved Breathing
Correct deviated septum and turbinate issues for better nasal airflow and breathing
Facial Harmony
Create proportionate nose that complements your chin, cheeks, and overall facial features
Natural Results
Preserve ethnic identity and unique features while achieving desired refinements
Am I a Candidate for Rhinoplasty?
Determining if nose surgery is right for you
You May Be a Good Candidate If:
You have a dorsal hump (bump) on your nose bridge
Your nasal tip is bulbous, boxy, drooping, or undefined
Your nose is too large or too small for your face
You have a crooked or asymmetric nose
Your nostrils are too wide
You have breathing difficulties from deviated septum
You've had nasal trauma causing deformity
You're at least 16-18 years old (nose fully developed)
You're in good overall health
You don't smoke or are willing to quit
You have realistic expectations about results
You May Not Be a Candidate If:
You're under 16-18 years old (nose still growing)
You have unrealistic expectations (wanting someone else's nose)
You smoke heavily and won't quit
You have uncontrolled medical conditions
You have blood clotting disorders
You cannot commit to recovery restrictions
You've had multiple previous rhinoplasties with complications
You're being pressured by someone else
You expect perfection or immediate final results
You have body dysmorphic disorder
Rhinoplasty: Starting at $10,000
Primary Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
This Includes:
Board-certified plastic surgeon with 25+ years experience
All surgical fees and anesthesia
Open or closed approach (as appropriate for your case)
Nasal reshaping, tip refinement, hump removal, etc.
Accredited surgical facility
Post-operative care and follow-up visits
Variables Include:
Complexity of reshaping needed
Open vs. closed approach
Functional septoplasty for breathing (may be insurance-covered portion)
Cartilage grafting needed (ear or rib cartilage)
Ethnic rhinoplasty considerations
Revision rhinoplasty (significantly more complex and expensive)
Final investment depends on complexity of reshaping and whether functional breathing issues are addressed.
Most patients invest $12,000-$16,000
Pricing Guide: Primary cosmetic rhinoplasty $10,000-$14,000 | Rhinoplasty + septoplasty (breathing) $12,000-$16,000 | Revision rhinoplasty $15,000-$20,000+ | Ethnic rhinoplasty with grafts $12,000-$16,000
Insurance Note: Functional septoplasty portion may be covered by insurance if documented breathing impairment. Cosmetic portion is never covered. Our office assists with insurance documentation and pre-authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Surprisingly, rhinoplasty is not particularly painful—more uncomfortable than painful. Expect significant congestion (like bad cold), pressure, and tightness. Bruising and swelling around eyes is common. Pain medication helps first 3-5 days. The congestion and inability to breathe through nose is most bothersome. Most patients manage well with prescribed pain medication.
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Most presentable (with makeup covering bruises) at 2 weeks when cast removed. Return to desk work at 1-2 weeks. Physical work at 3-4 weeks. Light walking encouraged immediately. No strenuous exercise, bending, or heavy lifting for 3-4 weeks. No contact sports for 6-8 weeks (risk of nose injury). Swimming after 4 weeks. Gradually increase activity as tolerated.
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Closed rhinoplasty has NO visible external scars (all incisions inside nose). Open rhinoplasty has tiny scar across columella (tissue between nostrils)—initially pink but fades to nearly invisible thin line over 12-18 months. Most patients cannot even see their columellar scar by 1 year. Internal incisions never visible.
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Immediate improvement visible once cast removed at 7-10 days, but nose is VERY swollen. 50% of swelling resolves by 2-4 weeks. 80-90% resolved by 3-6 months. Tip swelling lasts longest—takes full 12 months for all swelling to resolve and tissues to fully settle into final shape. Be patient! Final results at 1 year are worth the wait.
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Yes! Functional rhinoplasty (septoplasty) corrects deviated septum, turbinate enlargement, and weak nasal valves that obstruct breathing. This can be performed alone or combined with cosmetic rhinoplasty. Insurance may cover the functional portion if breathing is documented as significantly impaired. Most patients notice dramatic breathing improvement once swelling resolves.
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First, wait full 12 months for all swelling to resolve—many "concerns" resolve with time. Revision rate is approximately 10-15% for minor refinements. Revision rhinoplasty can correct issues but is significantly more complex and expensive. Choose your surgeon carefully the first time! Computer imaging during consultation helps align expectations. Most patients are thrilled with their results.
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Yes, frequently combined with chin augmentation for facial balance, eyelid surgery, facelift, or other facial procedures. Combining saves recovery time and overall cost. However, rhinoplasty alone typically provides dramatic facial transformation. Dr. Kim will advise if additional procedures would benefit your overall aesthetic goals.
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Insurance covers ONLY the functional portion (septoplasty, turbinate reduction) if documented breathing impairment through medical records and examination. The cosmetic portion (reshaping external nose) is NEVER covered. If combining both, insurance covers functional portion while you pay cosmetic portion. Our office assists with insurance documentation, pre-authorization, and billing.
Ready to Transform Your Profile?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your rhinoplasty options with Dr. Kim