Rhinoplasty
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Forest, Glenview and Grayslake, IL
Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) is a procedure that enhances the shape, size, and proportion of the nose to balance your facial features. This procedure is ideal for those seeking to improve the appearance of their nose or address breathing issues. Whether you are dissatisfied with the over appearance of your nose, or you would like to address more specific issues, this procedure can help you enhance your appearance and self-confidence.
At Northwestern Medicine, we have helped many patients improve the appearance of their noses with customizable rhinoplasty procedures. Dr. Karthik Shastri is a board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty and other facial procedures. With Dr. Shastri’s expertise, he can reshape the nose for natural-looking, beautifully proportional results.
Contact one of our Chicago offices to schedule an appointment in Lake Forest, Glenview, or Grayslake.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is an effective procedure for enhancing the structure and appearance of the nose. In 2023, specialists performed more than 47,300 rhinoplasty procedures to help patients achieve aesthetic results. (1) If necessary, we can graft cartilage from the ears or ribs to further reconstruct your nose–a process also known as cartilage grafting.
Types of Rhinoplasty
The type of rhinoplasty that will be most effective for you will depend on your unique nose and your aesthetic goals. The different types of rhinoplasty include:
- Open Rhinoplasty: With a small incision between the nostrils (columella) and inside the nose, we can reshape the underlying structures, nasal bones, cartilage, and soft tissues to address both cosmetic and functional concerns.
- Closed Rhinoplasty: With hidden incisions inside the nose, we perform less extensive modifications to the nasal bones, cartilage, and soft tissues. (2)
Both procedures incorporate advanced techniques that allow for minimal scarring. During your consultation, our team will ask about your goals to determine the best procedure for you.
Contact our office or call to schedule your consultation today!
Benefits
There are several benefits of rhinoplasty, including:
- Balanced facial proportions: Reshaping the nose can help you achieve a more proportional appearance and improve any asymmetry.
- Personalized treatment: We take care to tailor each procedure to your unique needs and aesthetic goals.
- Better quality of life: If the shape of your nose or a deviated septum obstructs your airway, we can improve airflow by adjusting the shape of the nose.
- Lasting results: Since we often adjust the underlying cartilage and bone during the procedure, you can enjoy results that last for many years.
- Improved confidence: Many patients experience a boost in confidence by enhancing the shape of their nose.
To learn more about how rhinoplasty can improve your appearance and the corresponding procedures we can perform, see the blog.
Candidates & Consultation
During your consultation, we will ask about your current medications, medical history, and lifestyle to determine the best treatment plan for your needs. If you have a condition that would affect your ability to receive anesthesia or heal afterward, your candidacy may be affected. If you smoke, you will need to be willing to stop for several weeks before and after your procedure; smoking can affect the healing process.
Procedure
To begin your procedure, we will cleanse your skin and our team will administer anesthesia for your comfort. Dr. Shastri will make discreet incisions to address your aesthetic and/or functional concerns. For example, he can remove tissue and cartilage from your nose or address functional issues that are affecting your airflow. Septoplasty is a procedure that specifically improves the shape of the nasal opening (septum) to improve airflow and turbinate reduction adjusts the size of the nasal openings to reduce congestion. He can also reshape the underlying cartilage and bone to create a more proportional and harmonious look.
Recovery
After a monitoring period, you can return home to begin your recovery. Your care team will provide you with specific instructions for ways you can optimize your recovery. We recommend that you carefully follow all of the recovery instructions. During your recovery, you will need to prioritize resting, refrain from strenuous exercise, and keep your head elevated while you sleep or recline. It is normal to experience some swelling during recovery; following your care team’s instructions will help to minimize swelling and accelerate your recovery process.
Dr. Shastri may prescribe you medications during your recovery, which you should take as directed. We will help you schedule a series of follow-up appointments so that we can monitor your healing progress.
The length of your recovery will depend on the extent of your rhinoplasty and your unique situation. In many cases, patients can return to light work after about two weeks, and light exercise within six weeks.
Results
After rhinoplasty, it can take several weeks for the swelling to subside and for the cartilage to settle into its new position. Once swelling dissipates, you will be able to observe an attractive nose that you can feel more confident with. If you experienced functional nasal issues–such as a deviated septum–prior to your rhinoplasty, you will also notice that it is easier to breathe through your nose. The results of a surgical rhinoplasty are essentially permanent, so you can enjoy your enhanced appearance for years to come!
Other Procedures
Dr. Shastri offers several other facial procedures that help balance and enhance facial features. Because rhinoplasty is a complex and delicate procedure, he may not recommend electing another procedure until you have healed sufficiently. Speak with your surgeon about your aesthetic goals during your personal consultation.
Facelift
A facelift is a procedure that removes excess droopy skin from your face for a smoother, more youthful look. As you age and the levels of collagen and elastin in your skin decline, lax, droopy skin can affect your appearance. With discreet incisions near the hairline and behind the ears, we can remove excess tissue to address signs of aging or volume loss.
Ear Surgery
Ear surgery (otoplasty) is a procedure that adjusts the shape of your ears for a more balanced, proportional look. If you have large or misshapen ears, we can pin them back and make them appear less prominent. Patients who undergo ear surgery often find that their self-esteem and quality of life improve, as they are more confident with their appearance.
Brow Lift
During a brow lift, your surgeon can reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles, and help you achieve a more youthful appearance. This procedure is especially beneficial if you have deep forehead wrinkles and lax skin above the brows. The incision near the hairline is very discreet and allows for a natural-looking and long-lasting result. (3)
The Cost of Rhinoplasty in Chicago
The cost of rhinoplasty can vary; pricing will depend on the type of rhinoplasty you receive. During a personal consultation with Dr. Shastri, you will receive an all-inclusive quote that reflects the specifics of your procedure.
Contact our office or call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shastri today. We look forward to discussing with you how rhinoplasty can improve your well-being and appearance!
FAQ
How do I know if I am a good candidate for rhinoplasty?
If you would like to enhance the appearance of your nose and reshape it for a more balanced appearance, you are likely a good candidate for the procedure! Rhinoplasty can also help patients address certain breathing issues such as airway obstruction or a deviated septum. Schedule a personal consultation to learn about rhinoplasty and determine if it is an option for you.
How long will the recovery process for rhinoplasty take?
The recovery process will depend on your specific procedure, but it can take several weeks for the cartilage to settle and swelling to subside. If you have any questions during your recovery, please feel free to contact our office for support.
Will I need more than one rhinoplasty procedure to achieve my desired look?
Patients are often able to achieve their desired look with only one rhinoplasty procedure, as results are essentially permanent. Your surgeon will take great care to design a treatment plan that aligns with your aesthetic goals.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Azzawi SA, Kidd T, Shoaib T. Closed Rhinoplasty: A Single Surgeon Experience of 238 Cases over 2 Years. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. Published online August 6, 2020. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-020-01990-y
- Amaro-Ortiz A, Yan B, D’Orazio J. Ultraviolet Radiation, Aging, and the Skin: Prevention of Damage by Topical cAMP Manipulation. Molecules. 2014;19(5):6202-6219. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19056202