Nose job
With its central location on the face, the nose can have a significant impact on the balance and proportion of the entire face. Cosmetic rhinoplasty aims to improve the appearance and shape of the nose to create harmony among all the facial features.
It involves reshaping the nose by altering the anatomy such as nasal bones, nasal cartilages and skin envelope. It is a good option if you feel that your nose is not in balance with your face. For instance, a big dorsal hump, a crooked nose or the tip of your nose may appear full and lack definition.
Surgery can address the following concerns:
- Hump or concavity on the nasal bridge
- A crooked nose due to injury or trauma
- A nose the is disproportionately large or small for the face
- A tip that is too narrow or wide
- A nasal tip that turns up or points downward excessively
- A bridge that is too wide or narrow
- Nostrils that flare too much or are asymmetrical
- The internal structure separating the nasal cavities is crooked (deviated septum)
Request An Appointment
or we’d love to answer any questions you may have
While there is no one size-fits all, or a perfect nose, there are many people who may have concerns with their nose for a variety of reasons and any distortions or disproportion can have an impact on self-esteem and self-confidence.
Rhinoplasty can be tailored to your needs without making your nose look dramatically different, especially if you are not sure how the cosmetic change may impact on your overall appearance and identity.
Your nose in the context of your face
Balanced or harmonious facial proportions are consistent features in an aesthetically pleasing face and the same applies to cosmetic surgery of the nose. More on facelift page…
Furthermore, the nose should be seen in the context of the whole face. That relationship with surrounding features can change the perception of the human eye. It is important to perform an aesthetic facial analysis before the nose is assessed on its own merits.
Cosmetic rhinoplasty can be combined to other procedures to improve facial harmony or for facial rejuvenation. For instance: facial implants, fat grafting and upper lip lift are the most common.
Make sure you consider the following regarding the procedure:
- Your surgeon can only work with the existing bone and cartilage structure, so there are limits to how far you can alter the shape of your nose.
- It is essential that the surgery doesn’t interfere with your airway and breathing
- Understand the benefits and risks of the surgery and any possible complications.
- How pain or discomfort will be managed
- What to expect in the healing and recovery period including swelling, bruising and scarring
- How much time will you need to take off work if any
- Think about the financial cost. Cosmetic surgery does not usually qualify for rebates from Medicare or private health insurance companies so ask about any out-of-pocket costs you can expect, and if you will be eligible for a rebate. You should have a ‘cooling off’ period after attending your first consultation. This will give you time to think about your decisions.
Whichever doctor you choose, they will need to know things about you to make sure you will be a good candidate for surgery. These include:
- Your medical history and current health status
- Any medications you are taking
- Smokers are at risk of complications so you will need to stop smoking beforehand
- Your mental health and any psychological problems you are seeking help for
What is the cost of a nose job in Australia?
Rhinoplasty surgery has strict medicare definition. If the reason for surgery does not meet the medicare MBS code description, the procedure is classified as cosmetic surgery and the private health insurance will not cover medical and hospital fees.
Rhinoplasty costs vary from $12K – 18K and depend on the complexity of the case, length of operation and hospital stay. Dr Rodrigo Teixeira will be able to elaborate a surgical plan and provide you with a cost estimate.
When is rhinoplasty eligible to Medicare benefits?
To be eligible for benefits and covered by private health insurance, the indication for surgery needs to meet the criteria of the MBS. There are medical conditions and symptoms that must be present such as:
- Airway obstruction
- Acquired, congenital or developmental deformity
- Post-traumatic deformity
All cosmetic treatments including rhinoplasty carry risks and possible complications which need to be weighed up before you go ahead. The public perception of cosmetic surgery is that it is relatively minor surgery which is always successful, safe, quick, easy, painless and simple. However, most cosmetic surgery operations are quite complex. They require a high degree of surgical skill, knowledge of anatomy and aesthetic appreciation.
In most cases, cosmetic surgery is elective – chosen by the patient – and a good surgical outcome is a shared responsibility between patient and surgeon. You need to be clear about what you want and make sure you know what you are going to get so you can make an informed decision about the surgery you will be undergoing.
About Dr Rodrigo Teixeira
Dr Rodrigo Teixeira, MD, FRACS is a Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne. He has significant experience in Cosmetic Surgery, Rhinoplasty and Facial Surgery. Dr Teixeira is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). Internationally, he is a member of the American and the International Societies.