Open Rhinoplasty: Procedure, Cost, and Recovery

What to expect from open rhinoplasty procedures with Dr. Jacono in NYC.

What Is Open Rhinoplasty?

The rhinoplasty, or nose job, alters the structure and appearance of the nose. During your consultation, Dr. Jacono will evaluate whether you are a good candidate for rhinoplasty before determining how to address your needs.

During surgery, an incision is made across the columella, the strip of tissue that connects the nasal tip to the bottom of the nose. The nose’s skin is then lifted off the underlying architecture.

Next, bone and cartilage are either rearranged or removed from the nasal bridge and tip. The skin is re-draped over the new framework, and the incisions are closed with sutures.

When is this Procedure Used?

Dr. Jacono most commonly performs this technique when a nose requires cartilage grafting, or when a nasal tip needs extra support. He also prefers to perform this type of nose surgery on patients with larger, more projected noses and those with severely asymmetrical or crooked bridges.

Generally speaking, open rhinoplasty gives better access to the nose’s underlying architecture and allows surgeons to make more significant changes.

Is Open Rhinoplasty Better Than Closed?

Like closed rhinoplasty, open rhinoplasty has benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits:

• Gives the surgeon easier access to the nose’s internal structures
• Can alter the nose’s appearance more significantly
• Results are often more precise
• Cartilage grafting is easier to perform

Drawbacks:

• Causes more swelling after surgery
• Longer recovery time
• The surgery takes more time to perform, sometimes requiring an extra hour
• Chance of additional scarring resulting from surgical dissection and separation of nasal tissue

Where Are Stitches Placed?

At the end of open rhinoplasty, the lifted skin is folded back over the nose’s underlying bone and cartilage. Absorbable sutures hold the internal structures in place, and a few non-dissolvable stitches are placed below the tip of the nose, along the columella. These will be removed between 5 and 7 days after surgery.

Does Open Rhinoplasty Break the Nose?

Unlike many other facial plastic surgeons, Dr. Jacono never breaks the nose during open nose job procedures. Rather, he reshapes and repositions the nose so as not to cause needless trauma.

What to Expect During Recovery?

After your procedure, you can expect the nose will swell. While the amount of swelling depends on factors like age, health, and alcohol and tobacco use, patients can expect the majority of swelling to resolve within 4 weeks.

Week 1 Recovery

After surgery, Dr. Jacono covers the nose in a cast that will remain on for about a week. Patients should avoid physical activity during this time and should get as much rest as possible. The key during the first week is to avoid strenuous activities.

Week 2 Recovery

During the second week of recovery, Dr. Jacono removes the cast and performs an examination to see how the nose is recovering. Bruising and swelling will have improved enough for the patient to comfortably be in public.

Weeks 3 & 4

During the third and fourth weeks of recovery, patients may return to their normal activities. They will notice changes in the nose, as most of the swelling will have resolved by now. Patients may continue to see subtle changes in their nose’s shape for up to eighteen months.

Why Choose Dr. Jacono for Your Surgery?

Dr. Jacono is a dual-board-certified facial plastic surgery expert with over twenty years of experience. He has extensive training in rhinoplasty surgery and delivers the most comprehensive results possible.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Nose Surgery?

Anyone who is unsatisfied with the size and shape of their nose is a good candidate for open rhinoplasty. Those whose noses have significant structural issues that cause breathing problems will also benefit from the procedure.

Patients should be in good physical health and refrain from smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol prior to and following surgery.

To see if you are a candidate for surgery with Dr. Jacono, please contact our offices in New York City or on Long Island.

Open Rhinoplasty Before and After Photos

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Open Rhinoplasty Patient 1:

This woman wanted to reduce her dorsal hump and lift her nasal tip. Dr. Jacono performed an open rhinoplasty to refine the tip and straighten the bridge. The patient’s photographs were taken three weeks after surgery.

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Open Rhinoplasty Patient 8:

This young woman wanted to fix her wide nasal bridge and refine her bulbous tip but did not want to look like she had surgery. Her after photographs show a nose that complements her natural beauty and does not look “overdone.”

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