Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) Sydney
- Non-cosmetic elective procedure
- Hospital fees may be covered by Medicare or private health insurance
- Day or overnight procedure
Why would patients choose to have rhinoplasty surgery?
Patients may choose this procedure to:
- Change the shape of the nose
- Change the size of the nose
- Change the length of the nose
- Correct a dorsal hump
- Change the width of nostrils
- Straighten the nose
- Correct breathing issues related to structural defects in the nose
Rhinoplasty surgery is one of the most popular facial procedures performed by cosmetic/plastic surgeons. We encourage patients to research and understand the post-surgery healing required before undergoing such a procedure.
We understand that facial surgery is not something to be entered into lightly, so here at Form & Face, our resident surgeon, Dr Benjamin Norris, will discuss and examine you thoroughly. You are also encouraged to discuss your concerns and goals during your consultation.
Who is a suitable candidate for a rhinoplasty?
During a consultation at Form & Face in Sydney or Bella Vista, Dr Norris will assess your individual needs, health factors and lifestyle factors to help determine if you are a suitable rhinoplasty candidate.
A suitable candidate for rhinoplasty is someone who wants to change the shape or size of their nose for personal reasons, or who might have breathing difficulties due to the structure of their nose.
Candidates should be in good health, with realistic expectations about what the surgery can achieve. It’s also important that their facial growth is complete before the nose is operated on.
How is rhinoplasty surgery performed?
Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic. Once you are asleep, Dr Norris will mark out the planned incision (if open rhinoplasty). The nasal skin will then be elevated, reshaping the underlying framework. This will entail not only repositioning your nasal bones but also altering the shape of your cartilage.
Depending upon what was discussed at your pre-operative consultation, additional procedures undertaken to address breathing issues may also be performed at this time. Such procedures include a septoplasty and/or a turbinate reduction procedure.
Other adjunctive procedures include alar base narrowing or sill reduction to address nostril flaring. Upon completion of the rhinoplasty procedure, skin closure is performed using delicate fine sutures. A custom-made nasal splint will be applied to your nose for additional support and protection.
Does a rhinoplasty surgery leave scars?
Rhinoplasty can leave scars, but they are usually very small and well-hidden, depending on where incisions are placed.
If the surgery is performed from inside the nose, there are no visible scars at all. If the surgeon needs to make a small cut between the nostrils, it might leave a tiny scar, but it typically fades over time and is hardly noticeable. Essentially, a rhinoplasty can involve different types of scars depending on the technique used.
Closed rhinoplasty
If the surgeon performs a closed rhinoplasty, where all the cuts are made inside the nose, there will be no visible scars on the outside. This approach is common for less complex changes.
Open rhinoplasty
In an open rhinoplasty, which is often used for more detailed work, the surgeon makes a small incision across the columella – the strip of tissue between the nostrils. This can leave a tiny scar, but it usually fades well and blends with the natural skin fold, making it hard to see over time.
In some cases, if the size of the nostrils will be adjusted, there may be small scars at the base of the nostrils. These scars also tend to be well-hidden and diminish as they heal.
Proper aftercare can also help to reduce visible scarring, which Dr Norris can explain during your consultation.
What happens at your first consultation?
Rhinoplasty is a very personal choice, and every person has their reasons for deciding to undergo surgery.
During your consultation, Dr Norris will focus on your goals and what you hope to achieve from the procedure. He will also discuss any concerns about the surgery or recovery. Dr Norris will evaluate your nose by assessing your skin tone, the condition of your breathing and bone structures, and the position of your nostrils. He will then examine your CT scan and take photographs for your medical records.
Dr Norris will discuss how the operation is performed, where the incisions will be placed, and what areas must be focused on. You will then receive a detailed quotation, including your surgery options. If you decide to proceed with surgery, Dr Norris will see you again for a second consultation.
How much does a rhinoplasty cost in Sydney?
A rhinoplasty is a very personalised procedure, and because every patient’s needs are different, there is no way to determine an accurate cost without scheduling a consultation. Along with the specifics of your procedure, hospital and anaesthetist fees will also need to be considered.
If you want to address breathing difficulties or reconstruct your nose following trauma, applying for a rebate from Medicare or your private health insurance may be possible – this can also be discussed during your consultation.
Does Medicare cover rhinoplasty surgery?
If rhinoplasty is performed for purely cosmetic purposes, Medicare does not cover rhinoplasty surgery costs.
However, if the procedure is considered necessary due to medical reasons, such as correcting a breathing problem caused by a deviated septum or repairing damage from an injury, Medicare may provide partial cover.
In these cases, the surgery would need to be deemed medically necessary by a specialist.
It’s important to know that, even when Medicare covers part of the surgery, there may still be out-of-pocket expenses. We recommend discussing costs and Medicare during your consultation to understand what costs may still be involved.
What to expect after the procedure
Dr Norris emphasises the importance of taking good care of yourself following a rhinoplasty procedure to ensure your body has time to heal.
That said, most patients undergoing rhinoplasty surgery at Form & Face can return to work within 12 to 14 days after their procedure.
When you have your consultation with Dr Norris, he can explain what you can expect after your rhinoplasty procedure, based on the details of your own personalised surgery and lifestyle factors.
He can also explain how to care for your nose and general health after your procedure, to support healing and prevent complications occurring.
Our team is also available should you have any questions or concerns during your recovery.
We offer a Lifetime Followup Guarantee, which means that we will support you beyond your recovery period with any post-surgical concerns you may have.
Immediately after surgery – Pain, swelling, and bruising are all common after surgery. Some patients can go home immediately after rhinoplasty surgery, while others may need to stay overnight. Following the procedure, you should rest in a semi-upright position to help you stay comfortable and minimise swelling.
If you remain in the hospital, you will be given pain medication as needed. You will be attended to and cared for to ensure you feel comfortable and secure during your recovery.
The first few days after rhinoplasty surgery – When you return home, you will continue to take your prescribed medication as required. You may expect to feel sore and tired for several days, so schedule enough time for rest. Dr Norris will advise that you sleep with your head elevated with three pillows to reduce swelling in the first week. This will also prevent you from rolling into a position that could place unnecessary pressure on your nose.
The first few weeks following rhinoplasty surgery – Most Form & Face patients return to normal activities within two weeks after the surgery. Dr Norris cautions active patients to avoid any contact sports for several months.
As for your results, you’ll need to wait for swelling to subside before you will be able to see the surgical changes.
After a rhinoplasty, you should start to see your results within a few weeks as the initial swelling and bruising subsides, however, swelling will reduce significantly within the first three months. Subtle changes can still continue to show for up to a year, or even longer. The tip of the nose, in particular, can take longer.
Overall, while you’ll notice a difference relatively soon after surgery, the complete and final results will usually be visible around 12 months after your surgery.
Understanding the potential risks and complications of rhinoplasty surgery
Rhinoplasty surgery carries risks as any surgery, including risks for complications from anaesthesia.
Beyond these risks, Dr Norris lets patients at Form & Face know about some other risks:
- Bleeding – Bleeding may occur as the nose heals, which is normal. However, if bleeding becomes excessive and occurs frequently, you must return to the hospital immediately for further treatment.
- Prolonged swelling – Rhinoplasty has the longest recovery when referring to swelling. Excess swelling, though, can be managed by steroid injections into the swollen area.
- Breathing issues – On rare occasions, the procedure can affect the function of your nose. If you are having a revision rhinoplasty, the risks are increased.
- Infection – While uncommon, an infection could develop, especially if the nose is not kept clean or if there’s an issue with healing.
- Scarring – Scars after rhinoplasty are usually small and well-hidden, but there may be a chance that they could be more noticeable, especially if there are healing complications.
- Asymmetry – There’s a possibility that the nose may heal unevenly, leading to a slightly off-centre or uneven appearance.
- Numbness – Temporary numbness around the nose is common right after surgery, but in rare cases, it could be longer-lasting.
- Need for revision surgery – If the results aren’t as expected or if complications arise, additional surgery might be necessary to make corrections.
You will be able to discuss the possible risks during your consultation, and how they can be prevented or minimised.
Rhinoplasty surgery with Dr Benjamin Norris in Sydney & Bella Vista
Dr Benjamin Norris is a fully qualified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
Dr Benjamin Norris has undergone more than two decades of extensive training in both Sydney and abroad, leading to his qualification as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with a specialised focus on Cosmetic Surgery.
He is also a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) within the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr Norris’s medical career began in Auckland, where he completed his medical degree before advancing his training at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, under the mentorship of Professor Michael Poole.
Dr Norris then returned to Australia to broaden his surgical knowledge. He initially trained in General Surgery before undergoing specialised training in Plastic Surgery.
He then returned to the United Kingdom to take a Consultant post at the renowned Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he spent 18 months working alongside George Cormack and George Lamberty, authors of a definitive textbook on Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Now located in Sydney, Dr Norris has a teaching-hospital appointment at Westmead Hospital, performing reconstructive and microsurgery procedures for patients with cancers or complex trauma of the face, head, and neck.
Committed to staying up to date with the latest techniques in plastic surgery, Dr Norris travels to Cosmetic Plastic Surgery centres across Europe and the United States.In Australia, Dr Norris is available in the Sydney (Bondi Junction) and Bella Vista areas.
FAQs
Whether or not open or closed rhinoplasty will be performed depends on your goals for the procedure. During open rhinoplasty, the incisions are typically made across the columella, the narrow tissue strip separating the nostrils at the base of the nose. In the case of closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are made inside the nose.
Open rhinoplasty may be a more suitable choice when a surgeon requires better visibility and access to more of the internal structures of the nose. Open rhinoplasty is ideal in more complex cases.
If only minor changes are required, closed rhinoplasty is typically recommended. Since the incisions are made inside the nose, there will be no visible scarring. Closed rhinoplasty can be used to narrow or straighten the nose’s bridge or adjust the tip’s appearance.
If a primary rhinoplasty procedure doesn’t go as planned due to complications, revision rhinoplasty may be possible. Revision rhinoplasty can be more complex than the original procedure. The complexity of revision rhinoplasty is mainly due to the likely presence of scar tissue from previous surgeries. Additionally, your surgeon must carefully reinforce the nasal structures with the remaining cartilage and navigate various unpredictable factors that may arise during the procedure.
If you are considering a revision procedure, Dr Norris will first need to determine whether you are a suitable candidate before proceeding.
It’s quite common to combine rhinoplasty with other facial procedures, such as a facelift. Combining procedures can help to address other aspects of the face, at the same time as a rhinoplasty.
If you’re considering multiple changes, it’s best to discuss your goals with Dr Norris to ensure that the procedures they can be performed effectively together, and to understand how the recovery process might be affected.
Rhinoplasty can address breathing issues by correcting structural problems, such as a deviated septum. This type of rhinoplasty, often called functional rhinoplasty or septoplasty, focuses on improving airflow, rather than just changing the nose’s appearance.
A functional rhinoplasty can be performed alone, or it can be performed in combination with cosmetic changes.
Rhinoplasty results are considered permanent – however, as we age, the nose may experience subtle changes. For example, the cartilage may weaken, skin elasticity may decrease, and other changes may occur.
This is because, while a rhinoplasty creates a permanent surgical change, no surgery can stop the normal, natural ageing process that will continue to naturally cause changes over time.
Sometimes, a revision rhinoplasty can be performed revise a previous surgery if the initial results weren’t satisfactory, or if complications occurred.
Revision rhinoplasty is often more complex than primary rhinoplasty because of scar tissue and altered anatomy from the previous surgery. It requires a highly skilled surgeon, such as Dr Norris, and may involve more detailed planning and a longer recovery period.
A nose as unique as you
Rhinoplasty is a highly individualised procedure, and no universal solution fits everyone.
Dr Norris takes the time to evaluate all your facial characteristics thoroughly, ensuring the development of a tailored surgical plan that accentuates your distinctive features.
If you are concerned that certain cultural traits passed down in your family will be lost after surgery, mention this to Dr Norris during your consultation so that this can be considered.
At Form and Face, clients come to us to address various cosmetic concerns and functional issues related to nasal structures. Through rhinoplasty, we can address aesthetic concerns and breathing issues.
Here at Form & Face, we provide patients with a
Lifetime followup guarantee
This means that we will be there for you far beyond the recovery period.
You can rest assured knowing that you can come to us about any
post-surgical concerns for the rest of your life.