Rhinoplasty in Allentown, PA

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States. Allentown plastic surgeon, Dr. Edward Guarino, offers this procedure to patients who wish to enhance the appearance of their nose. This surgery corrects a nose that is considered too large, too wide, crooked, or has a visible deformity. It is important to find a qualified surgeon with expertise in nose surgery so that a pleasing appearance, as well as protecting a normal nose function, can be achieved. Dr. Guarino prefers patients to be at least 16 years of age before considering a rhinoplasty procedure.

Many surgeons prefer the open rhinoplasty approach during nose surgery because they can gain a better view and better access to the inside of the nose. The incision using this approach is made on the skin between the nostrils or under the nose near the nostrils. Once the incision is made, the skin is moved back to allow access to the internal structures. The incision lines, which heal nicely and leave scars barely visible, are fairly small and usually measure between 2-3 mm.  

The closed rhinoplasty technique is used on noses that have features that are easily corrected. It is commonly used when the tip of the nose has good shape, and is not too long, too wide, over or under projected. The incision during this approach is not visible after surgery because it is made on the inside of the nose.

Rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility and typically takes around 1-2 hours to complete. It is considered an outpatient procedure. After surgery, patients will wear a nose splint, and will experience bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes. Once the bandages and splint are removed, the nose will look normal, but it may take longer for the bruising to subside completely. It can take up to a full year for the nose to gain its final contour and softness.  

Rhinoplasty is a tailored surgery, thus the cost will vary depending on the aesthetic goals of the patient, as well as any functional corrections that need to be made. Some procedures will involve just the bone while others will involve skin grafting and cartilage reconstruction. On average, patients can expect to pay between $5,000-$8,000.  

Yes, and this fear is always elevated when surgery involves the face. However, more than 350,000 people in the U.S. undergo rhinoplasty each year, making it one of the most common cosmetic surgeries. One way to help calm your fears is to make sure you find a reputable and skilled surgeon that has extensive experience with nose surgery. 

About half of rhinoplasty patients will benefit from a manual nasal fracture during surgery. This planned break allows access to perform certain functions during surgery, such as narrowing the width of the nose or correcting an asymmetrical nose. This is a common practice, and heals within just a few weeks following surgery.   

Nasal packing is the insertion of gauze and/or cotton packs into the nasal chamber after surgery. These are used to control bleeding, but are not necessary 100% of the time. They are generally used if the surgery includes the septum. 

Noses that are too large or too wide, or have a specific deformity may only be able to be enhanced through nose surgery. However, the look of some noses may be able to be enhanced using an injectable filler, such as collagen, calcium hydroxyapatite, or fat taken from another part of the body. “Injection rhinoplasty” may be another option before resorting to surgery. This is an in-office procedure that can help to soften and camouflage a bump, alter the tip of the nose, and smooth out irregularities.