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Dr. Thomas Mustoe and Dr. Sinno, best known for exceptional rhinoplasty results, are board-certified plastic surgeons in Chicago. Many of their patients are curious about rhinoplasty, also known as a “nose job,” and its benefits. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about Dr. Mustoe’s and Dr. Sinno’s nose procedures.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Rhinoplasty can correct physical issues of the nose, such as an overly wide bridge, a mispositioned tip, or overly large nostrils. It can correct undesirable bumps or depressions, as well as bring the overall nose size into harmony with the rest of the face. Rhinoplasty can also address physical problems such as a deviated septum or other breathing obstructions. To see examples of Dr. Mustoe’s and Dr. Sinno’s nose surgeries, visit our rhinoplasty before-and-after photo gallery.
The outcome of nose surgery depends on several factors, including:
Choose your rhinoplasty surgeon carefully to give yourself the best chance of achieving optimal results. Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno are rhinoplasty specialists who have exceptional credentials.
While it is perfectly safe for teenagers to have rhinoplasty, it is important to wait until the face is fully developed. The best candidates are typically females who are at least 13 years old and males who are at least 16.
The surgical technique varies with patient needs and not all require an osteotomy, the technical term for “breaking the nose” during rhinoplasty. Instead of the violent action you might imagine, osteotomy is a precise, controlled procedure performed with a specialized tool called an osteotome. Osteotomy moves the upper portion of the nasal bones closer together and is often used for the following reasons:
While rhinoplasty provides amazing transformations, it is not as painful as most patients anticipate. Our plastic surgeons typically use local anesthesia with sedation, so patients are relaxed and do not feel any pain during surgery. After surgery, most patients need only over-the-counter pain medication to manage discomfort because our surgeons use innovative surgical techniques that usually avoid the need for nasal packing.
Nonsurgical or liquid rhinoplasty, sometimes called a 5-minute nose job, reshapes the nose with dermal filler injections. This procedure can only be used to build up areas of the nose, such as lifting the tip, smoothing out a bump, or straightening a crooked bridge. Results are temporary. Fat grafting can be a good alternative to dermal fillers for longer-lasting results. Surgical rhinoplasty can correct a wide variety of aesthetic concerns as well as functional breathing issues. Nose surgery results last indefinitely, making it a worthwhile investment in recovery time and money for most patients.
Through extensive research and experience, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno have developed several innovations that contribute to a better rhinoplasty procedure and result, characterized by:
Your recuperation will depend on the extent of your surgery. Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno use specialized techniques to reduce discomfort and recovery time as well as minimize bleeding and bruising. Their patients do not need nasal packing unless there is extensive work internally on the turbinates for breathing problems. You will wear a splint for about 5 to 7 days. The swelling is modest, and patients feel comfortable with their appearances as soon as the splint is removed. Most of the swelling is resolved within 6 weeks, with subtle changes in the appearance of your nose gradually over the first year following surgery. Learn more.
To minimize swelling after surgery, apply an ice pack across your eyes for 15 minutes on, then 5 minutes off for the first 8 to 10 hours. Also, keep your head elevated at all times for the first 3 days. It helps to sleep with extra pillows or in a recliner.
For the first 2 weeks after rhinoplasty, avoid blowing your nose and anything else that may cause it to bleed. It is normal for the nose to feel congested initially. We will show you how to remove crusts and promote healing by applying A+D ointment or an antibiotic ointment to the incision between the nostrils (for open surgery), along the outer edge of the nostrils, and just inside the nose with a cotton swab. DO NOT insert anything inside the nose. Your surgeon will give you specific post-op instructions to follow after surgery.
Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno use techniques to minimize bruising, which is largely resolved within a week and fully resolved in 10 days for most patients. For the occasional patient who has more bruising or who desires an accelerated recovery, they now offer a state-of-the-art laser treatment that dramatically reduces bruising with a single brief treatment performed during a postoperative visit.
Most of Dr. Mustoe’s and Dr. Sinno’s rhinoplasty patients can resume their normal schedule, including returning to work, after about a week.
If your nose is bumped after rhinoplasty, the effect on your results depends on where you are in the healing process and how hard your nose was hit. In general, any trauma to nasal tissues may damage your results or prolong the healing process. Contact your surgeon if you have concerns.
Our surgeons’ main goal when performing rhinoplasty is to create a “transparent” outcome – a natural appearance that does not reveal that you have had nose surgery. In their experience, they have been completely successful in avoiding the operated look. Dr. Mustoe is board certified in both plastic surgery and otolaryngology, which ensures that he has both the skill and the experience to achieve dramatic results while keeping the character and function of your nose intact.
In most cases, yes. About one-third of their rhinoplasty procedures are revisions of previous surgeries performed by other doctors. Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno have performed several successful rhinoplasties on patients who have had numerous nose surgeries. Learn more about their revision rhinoplasty techniques.
While all surgeries have risks, rhinoplasty is very safe when performed by a plastic surgeon who:
Dr. Musto and Dr. Sinno perform rhinoplasty using local anesthesia with sedation for added safety and enhanced recovery. They have years of experience and consistently satisfied patients.
Adults and fully developed adolescents can expect their rhinoplasty results to last indefinitely unless there is trauma to the nose. The natural aging process often affects the appearance of the nose over time. While rhinoplasty results are long lasting, our surgeons can perform revision rhinoplasty if you are unhappy with the results of procedures performed elsewhere.
Ready to start your journey to your best nose? Get all the information you need about rhinoplasty when you download our free e-Guide, Your Guide to Rhinoplasty. Inside, you will find answers to all your questions about nose surgery, from how to be sure it is right for you to what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno specialize in rhinoplasty for both cosmetic and functional correction. If you are considering plastic surgery such as a nose job in Chicago, request a consultation online. Or, you can call us at (312) 788-2560 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.
