Understanding Nose Reshaping: What You Should Know Before Your Appointment
An educational guide for those exploring facial anatomy and health
Meet Dr. Joseph Fodero
Joseph Fodero, MD, PA, has over twenty five years of experience in the field of Plastic Surgery, and leads an experienced team at Northeastern Plastic Surgery in Florham Park, New Jersey. He was named one of the Top Plastic Surgeons in New Jersey for Nose Reshaping, Breast Augmentation, and Body Sculpting. His top priority is to treat patients with the utmost respect, care, and compassion, as he takes a personal interest in every patient achieving their unique aesthetic goals. For Dr. Fodero, listening is an essential part of his surgical kit. Not only does he listen, but he also welcomes all members of New Jersey’s cultures and communities.
Want to Learn More?
Still have questions? Every patient’s situation is unique, and the best way to get answers specific to your anatomy and goals is to speak with a board-certified specialist. If you’d like to schedule an informational consultation to discuss your options, contact Dr. Fodero at Northeastern Plastic Surgery.
1. What Is a Nose Reshaping?
A Nose Reshaping, or a nose job, is the surgical reshaping of your nose. It can serve an aesthetic or a functional purpose (or both). Although a fairly common procedure (almost 45,000 Nose Reshaping Procedures were performed in 2022 in the USA), the procedure requires a refined set of technical skills, apart from excellent overall patient care. As a result, selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands your goals is essential.
Because no two noses are the same, each Nose Reshaping is personalized to each individual patient’s needs or aesthetic goals.
1.a. What Types of Nose Reshaping Are There?
- Primary Nose Reshaping—the famous cosmetic “nose job”.
- Functional; to improve breathing difficulties.
- Reconstructive; to rebuild a nose damaged from injury.
- Ethnic; because different noses have different needs.
- Male Nose Reshaping.
- Revisional surgery; to correct unwanted results from previous procedures.
2. Why Do People Seek Nose Reshaping?
People often seek Nose Reshaping for the following reasons:
- Straightening a deviated nose.
- Reducing excessive nasal tip projection.
- Refining or reducing a bulbous nasal tip.
- Correcting asymmetry of the nasal tip.
- Reducing nose width.
- Improving a disproportionate nose.
- Reducing nose length.
- Correcting a bump.
3. The Anatomy of the Nose
Understanding the anatomical and physiological relationships within the nose is paramount to good decision-making during your Nose Reshaping consultation. By learning the ins and outs of the anatomy of the nose, you will be able to have a more realistic expectation of what can be achieved.
3.a. External Structure
The visible part of the nose is made up of several distinct regions:
- Root. The uppermost part of the nose, between the eyes, where it meets the forehead.
- Dorsum (Bridge). The ridge that runs from the root to the tip; can be straight, convex (“hump”), or concave (“saddle”).
- Tip. The most projected point of the nose; its shape is largely determined by the underlying cartilage.
- Alar Lobules (wings). The rounded, wing-like sides of the tip.
- Alae (Nostrils). The flared outer walls framing each nostril opening.
- Columella. The narrow strip of tissue between the two nostrils at the base.
- Nasal Base. The entire bottom of the nose as it meets the upper lip.
3.b. Internal Structure
What’s beneath the surface plays an equally important role in both appearance and function:
- Nasal Bones. The two small bones at the upper third of the nose that form the bridge; these are what surgeons reshape when addressing a dorsal hump or wide bridge
- Upper Lateral Cartilages (ULC). Paired cartilages in the middle third of the nose; critical for keeping the airway open
- Lower Lateral Cartilages (LLC). Also called “alar cartilages,” these define the shape of the tip and nostrils and are the most frequently addressed structures in Nose Reshaping
- The Septum. The central wall dividing the nasal cavity into left and right; made of both bone and cartilage. A deviated septum can impair breathing and also affects external symmetry
- Turbinates. Bony structures inside the nose covered in mucous membrane; they humidify and filter air. Enlarged turbinates are a common cause of nasal obstruction
4. What to Expect from a Consultation
If you are thinking about getting a Nose Reshaping, it is imperative that you have a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During your appointment, your provider will go over your medical history, prepare a personalized plan, and discuss realistic outcomes.
4.a. What to Look for in a Specialist
Although a physician with a medical license can legally perform a Nose Reshaping procedure, a plastic surgeon who has been certified by the ABMS and the ABPS has had a formal residency in Plastic Surgery, has passed rigorous written and oral specialized examinations, and knows the intricacies of the specialization’s ethics and standards. When looking for your provider, make sure you find one with proven professional expertise, tight safety protocols in place, and is up to date with the latest medical advancements.
5. Procedure Overview
After your provider has established the best approach for your Nose Reshaping, he’ll explain the process so that you feel comfortable.
On the day of, patients are administered general anesthesia so that they can rest comfortably. During the surgery, the surgeon readjusts the bone and cartilage underneath the skin.
You might undergo a “closed” or “open” procedure; this will be decided on your prior consultation. In the closed technique, your provider makes all incisions inside the nostrils. In open Nose Reshaping, most of the incisions are also made inside the nostrils, but there is a small one over the columella—the tissue that links the nasal tip to the nasal base.
After the surgery, your surgeon will provide personalized aftercare instructions for a safe and rapid recovery. You will need to take time off work or other duties to give your nose time to heal and protect it from any unwanted impact. During that time, any surgical bruising and swelling will subside.
Be your body’s advocate. As with any medical procedure, speak to your doctor to find out if a nose job is right for you. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
6. Recovery
The nose is the body part where swelling takes the longest to subside. Because of that, the final result might be visible after a year from the surgery date. However, noticeable results can appear after one month.
Nose Reshaping is an outpatient procedure, so you’ll typically go home on the same day. you will leave with an external splint or cast and possibly internal splints, depending on the procedure done. During the first few days, you must take it very easy to let your body heal so there aren’t any complications.
Of course, recovery looks different for everybody, because it depends on genetics, the nature and extent of the work done, etc. In general, though, the bandages stay on for about a week. After that, you should keep your head elevated to let the swelling process subside. Also, this is around the time you may go back to your everyday activities (as long as you’re not doing anything very strenuous or heavy lifting), albeit with some light bruising under your eyes, which you can cover with makeup.
7. What to Ask Your Provider
When meeting with your provider, consider asking the following:
- What results are realistic for my anatomy?
- Can I see photos of your previous work?
- Am I a good candidate for Nose Reshaping?
- What approach is best in my case?
- What are my options if I want a revision?
- What can I do to ensure the best outcome?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nose Reshaping hurt?
Pain levels vary by individual, but most patients report that Nose Reshaping is less painful than expected. During the procedure, you'll be under anesthesia (either general or deep sedation), so you won't feel anything.
How long is the procedure?
Nose Reshaping, depending on the type and technique, can take between 1.5 and 3 hours. To this, you should add 30-45 minutes of preparation, and up to 2 hours for anesthesia to go away.
What age is the procedure typically performed?
The ideal age depends on whether the surgery is functional or aesthetic.
For functional Nose Reshaping (to correct breathing problems, trauma, or congenital issues):
- Can be performed at any age when the medical need exists.
- Even children may undergo septoplasty if severe breathing obstruction affects their health.
For aesthetic Nose Reshaping, most surgeons prefer to wait until nasal growth is complete.