Sacramento Rhinoplasty - Nose Job Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to have rhinoplasty?

Dr. Kaniff successfully performs rhinoplasty on women older than 15 years and men older than 16 years of age. When considering rhinoplasty other important factors, in addition to age, are emotional maturity and participation in contact sports. Also, it is never too late to have rhinoplasty. A longer drooping nose may be a “tell-tale” sign of aging, and rhinoplasty repositions the drooping nose tip of the nose to give a more youthful appearance. It is often done as part of a facial rejuvenation program with facelift surgery and eyelid surgery to improve the signs of aging. See “Am I a candidate for Rhinoplasty?”

How long does it take to heal from a rhinoplasty?

The nasal splint comes off one week after a rhinoplasty or nose job surgery. If bruising occurs it is gone after 7-10 days. Swelling is down 80% in two to three weeks, 90% is down in three months and the remaining swelling improves about 1% per month. Many rhinoplasty patients return to work or school when the splint is removed. It is important to avoid any bending, lifting or straining for two weeks following rhinoplasty surgery.

Is the nose packed after rhinoplasty?

We do not ordinarily “pack” the nose after surgery so patients are more comfortable and less swollen. Dr. Kaniff uses a special rhinoplasty technique of suturing the internal nasal tissue back in place eliminating the necessity of packing. This technique used at Kaniff Cosmetic has been one of the greatest advances in rhinoplasty, reducing much of the undesirable after-surgery discomfort experienced by patients whose noses are “packed.” With elimination of nasal packing, pain, swelling, bleeding, discoloration, etc. are dramatically reduced making the recovery period much more pleasant for Sacramento rhinoplasty patients.

Do you break the nose during rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty candidates often ask “do you have to break my nose?” Fellowship trained rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Thomas Kaniff uses a special technique that makes a precise incision into the nasal bones when they need to be repositioned thereby eliminating the more antiquated technique of “breaking” the bones and resetting them. Dr. Kaniff finds this the best rhinoplasty, allowing for better control and reducing the patient’s anxiety about having surgery.

Will my nose fit my face after rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty surgery at Kaniff Cosmetic is as much artistic in nature as it is scientific and rarely are any two of our patients’ noses identical. Board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Kaniff strives to make each individual’s nose fit hers or his face. Like faces, every nose is different; some noses are too long, some have large humps, some project too far from the face, and so on. See “Types of Rhinoplasty”

Prior to surgery, photographs are taken and computer imaging is done so Dr. Kaniff may study the characteristics of the nose and face. The types of rhinoplasty are planned in much the same way an architect plans a house; the goal is not only to improve the shape of the nose but also to have it enhance the appearance of the entire face. See “Why Have Rhinoplasty”

The alterations necessary will be determined by many factors, including one’s height, skin thickness, ethnic background and configuration of other features such as the forehead, eyes and chin. Dr. Kaniff creates a natural looking nose, rather than one which appears to have been operated upon. No patient really wants an assembly line “nose job”; they want a nose individually tailored to their own features. See “Rhinoplasty Before and After Photos”.