How popular is rhinoplasty? According to RealSelf.com, it’s the most-researched procedure by men and the second-most for women. People asked more questions about rhinoplasty (nose job) than any other procedure on the site, which features answers from board-certified specialists. As the leading rhinoplasty specialist serving Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, and the surrounding areas, I’ve most likely heard every possible question that patients have about the procedure.
Some of the questions, however, are more common than others. In the video below, I sit down with my staff to answer some of the questions I’ve heard most frequently over nearly 25 years as a double board-certified plastic surgeon serving rhinoplasty patients in the Los Angeles area. Watch the video, and keep scrolling for more rhinoplasty Q&A, from surgical technique to what to expect during the consultation process.
What Are the Different Types of Rhinoplasty?
The 2 techniques surgeons use to perform rhinoplasty are known as “closed” and “open” rhinoplasty. A closed nose job involves making incisions inside the nose. For an open rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes an incision along the strip of skin dividing the nostrils and lifts the skin to expose the nasal structures. I tend to prefer using the closed rhinoplasty technique.
What percentage of rhinoplasties are performed “closed?”
About 90% of the rhinoplasties I perform use the closed technique. I typically prefer this technique because it’s less invasive, heals faster, and leaves no visible external scar. The procedure itself typically takes about two and a half hours. An open rhinoplasty can run a bit longer, closer to two and a half to three hours, given the additional access required. I typically reserve the open approach for more complex cases, including many revision rhinoplasty patients, where greater visibility and access to the nasal structure leads to a better result.
How many rhinoplasty surgeries do you perform each year?
I perform roughly 200 rhinoplasty surgeries every year, and I’ve completed more than 3,000 over the course of my career. Rhinoplasty is one of the most technically demanding procedures in plastic surgery, so the volume and consistency of a surgeon’s experience matters. It’s a big part of why rhinoplasty patients travel to my Burbank practice from across the Los Angeles area specifically for this procedure.
How painful is rhinoplasty?
I perform rhinoplasty with patients under a general anesthetic, so the procedure itself does not involve any discomfort. When patients ask if rhinoplasty is painful, they’re typically referring to the recovery. There is usually very little pain after the surgery, but the stuffiness and sensation of pressure can be uncomfortable. I don’t use nasal packing, which avoids the discomfort that patients experience when a surgeon removes it.
Does a nose job last forever?
Rhinoplasty involves changing the nose’s size and shape by altering bone and cartilage, meaning the changes are permanent. Facial aging still occurs, of course, so the nose’s appearance will change as you get older.
How much should a nose job cost?
The cost of rhinoplasty varies depending on the extent of the procedure, the surgeon’s qualifications and training, and the practice’s geographic location. Shopping for the lowest-cost practice isn’t a good idea for any elective surgery, but especially rhinoplasty. That’s because rhinoplasty requires a higher level of surgical skill than virtually all other cosmetic surgeries.
How long before you can exercise after rhinoplasty?
Even though we recommend taking short walks beginning the day after the surgery, it will be several weeks before you should resume strenuous exercise. It will depend on how fast your nose heals, among other factors. Patients should avoid any contact sports for several months.
Can rhinoplasty fix sinus problems?
Cosmetic rhinoplasty doesn’t address conditions such as a deviated septum that cause difficulty breathing through the nose. A procedure called septorhinoplasty improves the appearance of your nose and makes it easier to breathe. Septoplasty alone fixes structures blocking the airways.
How long is rhinoplasty recovery?
Most rhinoplasty patients return to work or school within 1 to 3 weeks. A protective splint stays on for the first week, swelling and bruising subside significantly within the first few weeks, and any subtle, residual swelling, especially at the tip, can take up to a year to fully resolve.
When can I blow my nose after rhinoplasty?
Blowing your nose too soon after rhinoplasty can affect the results, so we recommend allowing nasal drip to occur naturally and gently wiping with a tissue for at least 10 days after surgery. Congestion is common after a nose job, so it can be uncomfortable not to blow your nose, but it’s important to avoid it.
What time of year should I book my rhinoplasty?
There’s no single “best” time of year for rhinoplasty because it really comes down to your schedule and when you can set aside the time to comfortably recover. I’ve written more about seasonal timing considerations for plastic surgery here, if you want a deeper look at how patients typically plan around work, school, and social calendars.
Should I bring in pictures as examples of the nose I want?
Yes, bringing in reference photos to your rhinoplasty consultation is genuinely helpful because it gives me a clear sense of the look you’re hoping to achieve. That said, your actual surgical plan is built around your own nasal anatomy, not a photo. A picture might inspire the goal, but the nose job technique and approach I use will always be tailored to what your specific nose and facial structure can achieve naturally.
What’s the benefit of choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon for rhinoplasty?
Board certification means a rhinoplasty surgeon has completed rigorous, verified training and has met a recognized standard for surgical safety and skill; it’s not just a marketing term. I’m double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. When you’re trusting someone with a procedure as detailed as rhinoplasty, board certification is one of the clearest ways to confirm a surgeon has the training and oversight behind their results.
Can I trust online reviews when researching a rhinoplasty surgeon?
Online reviews can be a useful research tool, but not all review platforms are created equal. I’d recommend focusing on reputable sites that verify their reviews are from actual patients, rather than platforms with little or no oversight. You can read verified reviews from my satisfied patients to get an accurate picture of what your rhinoplasty experience will be like at our practice.
Schedule Your Consultation
Men and women considering rhinoplasty throughout the Los Angeles area and beyond travel to our Burbank, CA, practice for their surgeries. If you’d like to discuss the procedure with me, request a consultation online or call us at (818) 500-0823 to schedule an appointment.
This blog post was originally published in August 2021 and updated in September 2026.
Leave a Reply