Rhinoplasty

“I had been hiding my face behind sunglasses for a long time, until my revised rhinoplasty. Nowadays, no matter how strong the sun is I can face the world without being embarrassed.”
— Revision Rhinoplasty Patient

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to change the external structure of the nose for cosmetic and/or reconstructive purposes.

Usually, our patients have a combination of areas they want to change with their nose. The most common changes people request are dorsal hump removal, making the nose straighter, smaller, narrower, or more defined. However, all of our patients share a common goal: a natural-looking nose that is in better harmony with the other structures of the face.  A nose that looks good on one person may not be as attractive on another.

Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon

Our facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Sirius K. Yoo, is double board-certified and one of a select number of surgeons in the nation to complete a prestigious fellowship at Stanford University. Dr. Yoo is widely considered the best rhinoplasty specialist for natural-looking results. Trained in the most advanced rhinoplasty techniques. Dr. Yoo is often consulted by other facial plastic surgeons and colleagues for the most difficult and challenging cases. His articles, published in national journals, are frequently cited and have advanced the science of rhinoplasty. Dr. Yoo performs both open and closed (external) rhinoplasty with the approach tailored to patient’s anatomy and desired goal.

Consultations  with Dr. Yoo are the best way to learn more about rhinoplasty and what to expect. Please call (858) 381-4801 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yoo at our north county San Diego office. Read what to expect at a rhinoplasty consultation.

Consultation

This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. We will initially ask you about your medical history that could be pertinent to treatments we may offer. We will also ask you about the kinds of changes you would like to make. Your photos will be taken in standardized positions. Dr. Yoo will then examine you and your nose. Based on this information, he will create a tailored surgical plan that addresses your goals and takes into consideration what is possible based on your individual anatomy. We may be able to make photo simulations to help you visualize an approximation of the surgical outcome.

Procedure

Rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia on an “outpatient” basis, meaning you can go home the same day. The surgery itself takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the complexity.  

“Coming from someone who was called ‘big bird’ and bullied as a kid, I just know I’ll never be able to repay him for what he did for me. Dr. Yoo and team, thank you for changing my life.”
— Rhinoplasty Patient

Your cosmetic rhinoplasty will be performed at SKY, in our fully accredited surgery center. Operating out of our own onsite surgery center allows us to better control your patient experience. The check-in process is quicker, the entire surgery team is focused on only you, and you are assigned a dedicated recovery nurse. The anesthesiologists and nurses on our surgery team also work in San Diego’s largest hospitals, ensuring you receive the best standard of care.

Recovery

We recommend planning for a week of recovery at home. Dr. Yoo may place a splint on the outside of your nose for the first week to provide support during the most critical healing phase. Your nose and the surrounding area will be swollen and possibly bruised. Most bruising resolves within 10 days. The swelling subsides more gradually. Dr. Yoo likes to say you’ll be “restaurant ready” in two weeks, meaning when you are out in public, most people will not be able to tell that you had surgery.

Follow Up Care

Dr. Yoo will want to see you after 1 week, 1 month, 4 months and 8 months. While most swelling resolves within the first few weeks, the swelling around the tip of your nose resolves very gradually, over the course of the year.