Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery
973 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: (585) 244-1000
Fax: (585) 271-4786
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
You have your own reasons for considering rhinoplasty; you may want to feel more confident, prepare for a big event, improve your breathing, or repair an injury. Our surgeons will take the time to understand what you want to change about your nose as you see it. They will discuss what is possible with surgery and what to expect afterward. This ensures you are ready for the physical and emotional aspects of recovery and know when you’ll be able to appreciate your new, more attractive nose.
| Anesthesia: | Local with twilight sedation |
| Recovery: | 2 to 5 days |
| Ready to go in public: | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Resume strenuous activities: | 3 weeks |
| Final results: | 12+ months |
Rhinoplasty (a nose job) is a surgical procedure that reshapes the cartilage and bone of the nose to provide a variety of benefits, including:
Because it is the most defining feature of the face and vital for proper breathing and comfort, your nose significantly affects your appearance and quality of life.
The best candidates for rhinoplasty meet the following criteria:
Patients with certain medical conditions may need clearance from their general practitioner or specialist before surgery.
Ready to discover how a rhinoplasty can reshape your nose? Get the facts about the procedure when you download our free eBook, Your Guide to Rhinoplasty Surgery. The guide offers extensive information about rhinoplasty, including what to expect before, during, and after the surgery. You'll also find answers to your most pressing rhinoplasty questions and a helpful surgery prep list.
Submit the form below to receive a link to our free eBook.
The facial plastic surgery specialists at the Quatela Center in Rochester are known for their superior rhinoplasty results, which attract patients from Syracuse and Buffalo, NY, as well as travelers from across the U.S. and the world.
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Quatela is an internationally recognized expert in facial plastic surgery who pioneered modern cosmetic rhinoplasty techniques. He is well-known for taking on challenging revision and cleft nose rhinoplasty cases. When performing rhinoplasty, Dr. Quatela follows the rule of thirds, the rule of fifths, and Da Vinci’s golden ratio to achieve a beautiful, balanced nose that does not draw attention. He will take the time to understand your concerns and motivations for seeking rhinoplasty to ensure you are happy with your results.
Double Board-Certified Female Facial Plastic Surgeon
In addition to facial rejuvenation surgery, Dr. Lee has in-depth training and experience in cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty. Her training included a five-year residency in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery and a rigorous fellowship in facial plastic surgery under Dr. Quatela. As a talented rhinoplasty specialist, Dr. Lee is proud to have a personal revision rate below 7%, significantly lower than the national average of 15%. She views rhinoplasty as an opportunity to refine the characteristics that make a nose unique instead of making every nose look the same.
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Montague is an accomplished facial plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic and functional nose surgery. After completing a five-year residency at the West Virginia University Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, he completed fellowship training under Dr. Quatela at the Quatela Center. Dr. Montague incorporates the latest rhinoplasty techniques into his work, such as preserving as much of the natural cartilage as possible for optimal nasal support and longevity of results. Known for putting patients at ease, he takes the time to understand their goals, explain the surgery, and set expectations for recovery.
During the initial consultation, your surgeon will record your medical history, including whether you’ve had any previous nasal procedures and have any baseline nasal congestion. They will examine your nose internally and externally to assess its external form, bony architecture, soft tissue, and how it functions. When planning your surgery, your surgeon will consider your ethnicity and skin type.
We will take pictures of your face from multiple angles and use computer imaging to show possible results. These digital images will also help your surgeon understand your desired results.
Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) improves the nose aesthetically while maintaining or improving function. Our surgeons perform this procedure using the following techniques:
Depending on your needs, the procedure may include osteotomy, which involves carefully fracturing and resetting the nasal bones.
Improves the appearance of the nose to improve balance with the other facial features. This procedure may involve making the nose smaller or larger, reshaping the bridge, tip, or nostrils, and correcting asymmetries.
Corrects nasal breathing problems due to constricted or collapsed nasal valves, a condition that may occur with the aging process, trauma, infection, or scarring from previous surgery. Dr. Lee and Dr. Montague perform functional rhinoplasty and/or septoplasty to repair and widen the nasal valves within the nostrils, restoring function to the nose. They also combine rhinoplasty and septoplasty, which is called septorhinoplasty.
Corrects unsatisfactory results of a previous rhinoplasty. Also called secondary rhinoplasty, revision surgery of the nose is significantly more complex than primary rhinoplasty (the initial surgery) because of the impact on the nose’s internal structures as well as scarring. Due to this complexity, it is best to choose a rhinoplasty surgeon who is highly experienced in revision procedures, like Dr. Quatela, Dr. Lee, or Dr. Montague.
Temporarily reshapes the nose with dermal filler injections. This nonsurgical alternative to rhinoplasty provides minor alterations to the tip or bridge of the nose; it cannot make the nose smaller or correct structural issues. Results are instant, and no downtime is needed.
Our surgeons perform rhinoplasty at our private, onsite, accredited surgery center, the Lindsay House Surgery Center, using a monitored anesthetic. They typically perform the surgery as an outpatient procedure, so you will return home the same day. If you prefer a medically supervised setting, you can choose to stay in our Carriage House for your first post-operative night.
Your surgeon will address the changes you want to make to your nose using the imaged photo from your consultation as a reference. Rhinoplasty surgery differs for each patient; your procedure will be customized to your desired outcome using the techniques discussed with your surgeon.
Once the surgery is complete, we will monitor you in our comfortable recovery area until you’re awake and alert and your surgeon has checked on you. Once your surgeon gives their permission, a nurse will discharge you to the care of a friend or loved one who will drive you home.
Understanding what to expect during recovery often gets lost in the excitement and anticipation about the results. While the initial healing process is relatively quick, swelling and potential bruising around the eyes and cheeks can be significant at first—and it takes about a year to see the final results.
Here is a general recovery timeline that gives you an idea of what to expect (experiences vary):
Day of surgery:
Return home in the care of an adult. You will have a cast over your nose that must be kept dry.
Day 2:
Swelling and bruising peak.
Day 3:
Sutures removed at a post-op appointment.
7 to 10 days:
Cast removed at a post-op appointment. In most cases, the nose will become more swollen without the pressure from the cast. Bruising begins to fade.
1 to 2 weeks:
Return to work, school, and nonstrenuous activities. Most patients feel comfortable being seen in public. Residual bruising can be camouflaged with makeup; our experts at Q the Medical Spa can teach you how.
3 weeks:
Resume sports, bending, lifting, and strenuous physical activities gradually as cleared by your surgeon.
6 weeks:
Nasal bones are fully healed. Swimming is allowed in most cases.
3 months:
90% of the swelling is resolved (the tip takes longer to refine).
4 to 6 months:
Ready to resume contact and semi-contact sports.
12+ months:
Final results are established.
For proper healing and to achieve optimal results, closely follow our pre and post-operative instructions.
To help your recovery go smoothly, take the following precautions after surgery:
The cost of a rhinoplasty in Rochester, Buffalo, or Syracuse, NY, varies, depending on your specific needs and goals. You will receive a personalized, all-inclusive quote during your consultation that includes pre- and post-operative appointments, surgeon’s fees, surgery center fees, and anesthesia costs. For more information, see our page on Plastic Surgery Costs.
For a more balanced enhancement of the face, our surgeons often combine rhinoplasty with one or more of the following procedures:
Adds balance to the profile and definition to the jawline.
Defines the jawline and neck by removing excess fat and tightening underlying structures.
Restore facial volume around the eyes, on the cheeks, and in the temples; soften lines and folds around the mouth; and add fullness and definition to the lips.
Rejuvenates the lower third of the face by lifting the cheeks, softening folds around the mouth, and firming the jawline.
Your consultation is a good time to discuss possible complementary procedures with your surgeon. If you are ready to meet with one of our double board-certified facial plastic surgeons, request a consultation online, or call us at (585) 244-1000 to schedule your appointment.
People of many different ages can benefit from nose reshaping surgery. On the younger end, it is best to wait until your nose has finished developing, which is typically in the teen years. On the older end, you can have a rhinoplasty done at any time as long as you are in good enough health to undergo surgery safely.
Rhinoplasty is a low-risk procedure when performed by an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon. While there are some risks, complications are rare. Potential complications include infection, difficulty breathing through the nose, an unsatisfactory appearance, and changes in skin sensation around the nose. The Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery team takes every precaution before, during, and after your rhinoplasty to keep the risk of complications very low.
Our surgeons do not always place packing after nose surgery. When used, it will typically remain in place until the day after surgery. Small splints are also sometimes placed inside the nose and left in place for 7 days post-procedure.
Most patients feel stuffiness and discomfort after rhinoplasty but not significant pain.
In some cases, the surgeon may need to “break the nose” (called an osteotomy) to remove nasal bone and cartilage or change the position of the nasal bones. This process is carefully performed with a specialized tool.
It can take some time for swelling to resolve after rhinoplasty surgery. Most swelling usually goes away after the first few weeks and months, but a small amount of residual swelling can take 6 months to 1 year to resolve.
Rhinoplasty results last indefinitely as long as there is no trauma to the nose. There may be subtle changes to the nose over time due to the natural aging process.
As a destination practice offering world-class care, the Quatela Center attracts patients from around the globe. Our virtual consultations and support program take the effort out of travelling for surgery.
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