Improve comfort and confidence with this life-changing procedure.

Since rhinoplasty is typically an elective procedure, it is performed only under the safest conditions. To ensure your safety and comfort, Dr. Clevens brings his patients only to a fully accredited ambulatory surgery center with physician anesthesiologists. However, it does carry some risk, as all surgeries do. Rare risks and complications can include bleeding, infection, scarring, anesthesia complications, nasal blockages, and damage to the nasal septum or skin and failure to achieve a satisfactory aesthetic result.

Surgery is the only long-lasting option for rhinoplasty. However, injectable fillers can provide temporary improvement and may be appropriate for some patients. Dr. Clevens can discuss this procedure with you if you are interested.

The nasal bones are often carved, reshaped or reset, depending on your goals for surgery. Don’t worry — this process is less scary than it sounds and allows the nose to heal in the proper shape. All techniques to be used will be discussed prior to the procedure.

Glasses put pressure on the nasal bridge and usually cannot be worn during the initial recovery period. Dr. Clevens will give you options for vision during this time.

After the first few months, most of the swelling will have subsided and no one will notice it, though the “final” results will not be apparent for about a year, when the last of the swelling resolves. The final results should be extremely natural-looking and long-lasting.

Rhinoplasty is a complex procedure and should only be performed by a highly trained, board certified surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery rather than plastic surgery in general. Choosing the right surgeon will help set you up for a successful procedure.

The nose generally stops growing and changing at around age 15-17 in girls and 17-19 in boys. This is why many surgeons won’t operate on people younger than 15-17, even with parental permission. It is best to wait until you and your surgeon are absolutely sure the nose has finished growing.

Open rhinoplasty produces a very small scar that typically fades very well. No one but you should be able to notice it. Closed rhinoplasty produces scarring that will not be visible externally. Noticeable scarring is a very rare occurrence in rhinoplasty.

Though it is extremely rare, the surgery can sometimes change the sound and tone of the voice. If you are a singer, voice actor or otherwise use your voice professionally, be sure to discuss this concern prior to scheduling your surgery.