If you're considering nose surgery in San Francisco or rhinoplasty ...

Bear in mind that a symmetrical nose won’t necessarily make your entire face symmetrical. All faces are asymmetrical to some degree. In some cases, you may also need to consider facial augmentation, such as implants of the chin, cheek, and jaw.

Dr. Mosser performs rhinoplasty in several locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Plastic surgery procedures may be scheduled for his office at 450 Sutter in Union Square, as well as California Pacific Medical Center, and St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco.

Depending on your specific goals, a rhinoplasty will entail any of several procedures:

• alteration and reshaping of the nasal bridge
• adjusting the angle between the nose and upper lip
• reducing the width or size of nostrils
• reducing the shape or width of the nose itself

Surgery of the nose is typically performed in two ways. In a closed procedure, incisions are hidden inside the nose. In an open procedure, tiny incisions are made across the columella, the strip of skin that separates the nostrils. Either way, these incisions allow the soft tissues that cover the nose to be raised, allowing access for the most precise judgment necessary to reshape the nose.

In some cases, nose surgery reduces or augments nasal structures with cartilage grafted from other areas of your body. With this new cartilage comes a new structure for your nose. Nasal skin and tissue are then closed around it. Additional incisions may be placed in the natural creases of the nostrils to alter their size.

Following nasal surgery, a splint and possibly packing will be placed inside your nose. A splint or bandages will be placed on the outside of your nose during the initial healing. Before you are released, Dr. Mosser will explain in detail:

• medications to apply (or to take orally) that will aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
• how to clean and otherwise care for the incisions
• specific concerns about your recuperation that you should regard

Initially, you may experience swelling, bruising, headache and general pain. These are normal. Dr. Mosser will work with you to control these conditions through medication and cold compresses.

You will need to keep your head elevated at all times after nasal surgery until initial swelling has subsided. Also, you must be careful to keep nasal packing in place at all times. You can return to light, normal daily life within a few days of surgery, so long as your activity doesn’t endanger your nose.

Packing and splints are usually removed within the first week after nose surgery, though you may be required to wear the splint or nasal tapes for an additional period of time, extending up to 10 days.

The outcome you expect from your rhinoplasty surgery will gradually become apparent over the weeks and months it takes for the nose and facial tissues to heal. It can take up to one year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. During this time, you will notice gradual changes that reveal an entirely new and well-balanced appearance to your face.

Learn about the best candidates for nasal surgery in San Francisco

View Frequently Asked Questions about Rhinoplasty Surgery