Rhinoplasty is the medical term for a nose job. It can be performed for cosmetic, functional, or reconstructive purposes. Dr. Vartanian shares his guideline for obtaining successful long-term rhinoplasty results based on his experience with over one-thousand nasal procedures.

1. Detailed preoperative analysis of the patient, her aesthetic goals, and anatomy of the nose and face.

2. Understanding what the patient wants.

3. Customizing each nose based on the patient’s aesthetic goals and what will suit the patient’s face.

4. Correction of nasal septal deviation.

5. Use of serial rasping to create smooth nasal dorsum (nasal bridge).

6. Use of gentle and careful dissection techniques to minimize bruising and tissue swelling.

7. Creating natural appearing contours.

8. Use of suture-fixation techniques.

9. Use of smallest osteotomes (instruments used to reposition the bones) to minimize bruising.

10. Maintaining the proper proportion of the nasal triangle.

Experience with both closed and open rhinoplasty can also help the surgeon select which approach will produce the best result for the patients. Once the patients desires are known, it is up to the surgeon to deliver those results for the patient. The aesthetic judgment of the surgeon is shared with the patient prior to surgery. The use of computer imaging programs can help in showing the patient what is possible. Saved digital images are used during surgery to remind the surgeon of the patient’s current and future desired nose.

About the Author

Dr. John Vartanian is a double board certified facial plastic surgeon with offices in the Los Angeles area (Beverly Hills & Glendale, CA). He specializes in rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and facial aging reversal surgery and procedures. More info at: http://www.facial-plastic.com 520 E. Broadway Ave., Suite 200 Glendale, CA 91205 818.662.0600

Los Angeles Rhinoplasty Expert