Rhinoplasty & Septoplasty

Q: Do nose jobs last forever?

Rhinoplasty affects a permanent change to the shape of your nose. Surgery is not recommended until your face has fully developed, which is around the age of 16 in females and 18 in males. Subtle changes can occur for several years after rhinoplasty surgery, due to healing forces in the tissue. But your nose will never return to it’s original shape.

Q: How long are you swollen after rhinoplasty?

Although you will notice some improvement in shape almost immediately, you will likely have some residual swelling for up to a year after rhinoplasty, especially in the tip of the nose. Early on, taping and massage can help get rid of swelling sooner. Occasionally, we use steroid injections to help reduce significant swelling.

Q: What are the side effects of rhinoplasty?

All surgeries require some recovery time. The early side effects include mild discomfort and bleeding for a few days, swelling, bruising, stuffiness for a couple of weeks or longer.

Q: Can rhinoplasty help sinus problems?

A rhinoplasty can have medical benefits as well as cosmetic. In some cases, it can help repair a deviated septum, leading to an improvement in sinus problems.

Q: Can a nose job make your nose smaller?

Yes, effectively any change to your nose shape can be achieved with rhinoplasty techniques, including making your nose smaller at the bridge, tip, or nostrils.

Q: Can I sleep on my side after rhinoplasty?

We recommend that you don’t put any pressure on your nose for about 6 weeks after your surgery, as your nasal structures will be malleable during this time. Sleeping in any position where you are leaning on your nose can affect the outcome of your procedure.

Q: Does insurance cover nose surgery?

Although insurance will not cover cosmetic rhinoplasty, coverage may be available for a septoplasty if the procedure is being used to address health concerns like difficulty breathing. You should speak directly to your insurance provider to determine how much coverage you will receive. Please note that our practice does not participate with any insurance providers or accept insurance coverage.

Q: How much does rhinoplasty cost?

The cost of a rhinoplasty procedure varies depending on the surgical technique and type of anesthesia used. Our staff can give a general idea of cost when you make your consultation appointment. At the end of your consultation with Dr. Capek, you will meet with our Patient Care Coordinator who will provide you with a detailed quote and explain our financial policy.

Q: What is the best age for rhinoplasty?

Patients of all ages who are bothered by the look of their nose can benefit from rhinoplasty. However, younger patients must wait until after their nose has stopped growing. This is typically around the age of 16 for girls and 17 for boys.

Q: Is it worth it to fix a deviated septum?

A deviated septum is not always problematic; most people are born with a slight deviation and don’t notice it. However, if your deviated septum is causing breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, or other problems, septoplasty is a great option.

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Since your nose lies in the center of your face, it may be one of your most important facial features. If you are unhappy with the size and shape of your nose, it may affect your self-confidence and facial balance. Fortunately, there is a solution. A rhinoplasty, or nose job, can dramatically change the shape of each area of the nose, including the bridge, the tip, and the nostrils.

Rhinoplasty is one of Dr. Capek’s favorite procedures because it is an artistic and technical challenge, and the results are so gratifying! Check out her beautiful transformations in the rhinoplasty photo gallery. Dr. Capek is also experienced in treating patients who have trouble breathing due to a deviated septum and those with nasal deformities due to a cleft lip at birth.

Am I a Good Candidate?

If you are in general good health and have a positive, realistic attitude toward your rhinoplasty procedure, you may be a good candidate for cosmetic surgery. Here are some common reasons why patients consider a surgical rhinoplasty:

Your nose is too small or too large and does not complement the rest of your face.
Your nose is crooked, out of alignment, or poorly shaped due to injury or genetics.
You would like improvement in the appearance of your nose.

Before Your Procedure

Your consultation with Dr. Capek will involve a complete physical examination and medical history to determine if rhinoplasty in Albany, NY is right for your needs. She will also assess your existing nose and determine factors like skin thickness, nasal shape, and the internal structures of your nose, including the nasal valves and septum. This helps Dr. Capek develop the right nasal surgery plan to meet your needs.

During your consultation with Dr. Capek, you will also have a chance to discuss your cosmetic concerns that you hope to have improved with rhinoplasty surgery. It is important you are specific in explaining your ideal nose shape and size so that Dr. Capek can determine if your goals are realistic and can be achieved. It is also helpful for you to show her your ‘inspiration photos’ – edited selfies or pictures of other people’s noses that you hope to resemble. Once Dr. Capek understands your desired changes and examines the anatomy of your nose, she will propose a surgical plan to address your concerns using either open rhinoplasty or closed rhinoplasty techniques. In some cases, minor alterations to your nose can be made with dermal fillers (a non-surgical procedure sometimes called liquid rhinoplasty).

Dr. Capek and her staff will also provide thorough instructions on how to prepare for your upcoming surgery. It is also imperative that rhinoplasty patients don’t smoke or be exposed to any nicotine-containing products for at least 6 weeks prior to and 6 weeks after surgery. Smoking (and all other forms of nicotine injection) decrease your body’s ability to heal normally and can lead to serious complications, including loss of skin, poor wound healing, severe scarring, and infection. Avoid taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs: Advil, Motrin, Aleve), and vitamins/homeopathic regimens for 10 days prior to surgery. These can increase bleeding.

board-certified plastic surgeon

DR. LUCIE CAPEK

Dr. Lucie Capek offers advanced cosmetic plastic surgery from the unique perspective of a female plastic surgeon. Since 1996, she has been serving patients in the Capital District from Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Troy, NY. She is known for using the latest technology to perform body contouring, breast surgery, and facial cosmetic surgery. She personalizes every treatment to give each patient the most natural-looking results, enhancing their beauty and increasing their self-confidence. Above all, her practice is dedicated to your health and wellness. Dr. Capek understands that your beauty and confidence is about more than just your appearance. To schedule your first consultation, contact Lucie Capek, MD.

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Your Procedure

Dr. Capek performs rhinoplasty under general anesthesia, provided by an Anesthesiologist, in our Quad-A accredited office-based operating suite, Capek Surgical Arts, or a hospital operating room for higher risk patients. You will not feel any discomfort during your surgery. There are two main techniques for nose reshaping surgery, including an open and closed approach.

Open Rhinoplasty

During an open rhinoplasty, incisions are created inside your nose, connecting across the underside of the nose between the nostrils. The open rhinoplasty technique allows for full visualization of all the nasal structures and is excellent for significant alterations in the tip shape, as well as the nasal septum and nasal dorsum or nasal bridge (where you may have a bump). The tiny area where the external incision is made usually heals extremely well and is nearly invisible in most patients.

Closed Rhinoplasty

For a closed rhinoplasty, the incisions are made inside the nose, so they are completely invisible and hidden after surgery. This technique permits more limited contouring of nasal cartilage in the tip but has the advantage of eliminating the small visible scar at the base of the nose.

Septorhinoplasty

If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, you may have an obstructed airway, deviated septum, or other abnormality that can be addressed at the same time as your cosmetic rhinoplasty using the same incisions. A deviated septum means that the bone and cartilage (called the nasal septum) between the nasal passages have become crooked and cause breathing difficulties. A deviated septum can be a birth defect or the result of an injury like a broken nose. In either case, it can be corrected during rhinoplasty surgery.

*Procedure performed by Dr. Capek

natural, beautiful results

OUR GALLERY

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Rhinoplasty Surgery

After you are asleep, Dr. Capek will numb your nasal area with a combination of local anesthetics which help control bleeding and also provide long-lasting pain relief after you wake up. Dr. Capek will create the incisions based on the selected technique to access the cartilage and bones that form the nose. She will then contour or remove bone and cartilage, add grafts as needed and reshape your nose. The size of your nose can be reduced or increased, and the nose may be lengthened or shortened. Cartilage grafts may be utilized to remodel the nose tip, lifting it or making it longer, thinner, or shorter. A nasal hump can also be reduced by adjusting the nasal bones and cartilage. Dr. Capek will perform your rhinoplasty and create facial balance so you are left with a nose that works in harmony with your other facial features.

utilizing the latest technology

Procedures in 3d

After Your Procedure

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure so you will spend a brief period in the recovery room before returning home. Our team will supply detailed instructions on what to expect from your rhinoplasty recovery.

Immediately following your surgery, you can usually expect to wear a nasal splint over your new nose to support the newly structured shape. It will protect your nose from accidental bumps throughout the day or while you sleep. Bio-degradable packing, or rarely an internal splint, may also be placed, particularly if you are having functional surgery such as a septoplasty. You can also expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the nose after surgery. Dr. Capek will recommend remedies to help reduce pain and swelling, such as cold compresses or pain medication. Make sure to sleep with your head elevated in order to reduce swelling.

After about a week, the splint will be removed and you’ll start saline nasal spray to help cleanse the nose. Taping your nose for a second week will also help keep your swelling down. Most of your facial swelling and bruising will subside within two to three weeks. Although you can return to most regular activities within a few days, strenuous activities should be avoided for at least 2 weeks, and potential contact sports for 10-12 weeks or until cleared by Dr. Capek. This will ensure that you don’t injure yourself and compromise your surgical result.

Although you will appreciate some changes in the shape of your nose right away, the final shape takes up to a year to be fully visible. Rhinoplasty surgery is a somewhat unique plastic surgery procedure in this respect because swelling in the nasal tip in particular takes many months to completely resolve. Also, your nasal shape changes subtly as the internal healing in your tissues occurs.

It is critical to follow Dr. Capek’s aftercare instructions to ensure a proper recovery. She will inform you of any signs of complications and the normal symptoms you will experience. It is important to remember that every patient heals differently, and follow-up appointments will be necessary to oversee your recovery period. The results of your rhinoplasty are permanent, so it is important to have clear cosmetic and medical goals when planning the procedure.

What are the risks?

Significant complications from rhinoplasty are rare, especially under the care of a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Capek. However, every surgical procedure carries some risk. Potential complications of surgery include adverse reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, or infection. Other specific risks may include wound healing problems, cartilage becoming crooked as the nose heals, or difficulty breathing through your nose. A second surgery called a secondary rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty may be required. Chances of complications can be reduced if you follow the advice and instructions of Dr. Capek before and after your rhinoplasty procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do nose jobs last forever?

How long are you swollen after rhinoplasty?

What are the side effects of rhinoplasty?

Can rhinoplasty help sinus problems?

Can a nose job make your nose smaller?

Can I sleep on my side after rhinoplasty?

Does insurance cover nose surgery?

How much does rhinoplasty cost?

What is the best age for rhinoplasty?

Is it worth it to fix a deviated septum?

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QuadA Accredited

CAPEK SURGICAL ARTS

Dr. Capek is pleased to offer her patients an intimate, comfortable and discreet surgical experience at Capek Surgical Arts (CSA), her state-of-the-art Quad A accredited operating suite right here in Latham, NY. You can undergo your procedure under the expert care of board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Capek and her exceptional team of anesthesia and clinical staff without having to go to a hospital or surgery center.

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Schedule a Consultation

If you want a better-proportioned, smaller, or larger nose that complements the rest of your facial features, rhinoplasty surgery may be right for you. Contact our office today to schedule your initial rhinoplasty consultation.