Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)


Rhinoplasty, also called a nose job, is one of the most common cosmetic surgery operations – and for good reason. Sometimes, an event leads the patient to consider rhinoplasty in Los Angeles, such as an accidental nasal fracture. Other patients are bothered by functional aspects of the nose and wish they could breathe easier. Patients are sometimes concerned that their nose has grown slowly over the course of decades and that it no longer has a youthful appearance. Each of these issues may be addressed with careful examination, analysis and skill.

I’d be happy to visit with you in person to discuss rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty at my Los Angeles practice. You can request a consultation online or give us a call at  (310) 300-1779 to make an appointment.

Rhinoplasty
 Before & After Photos

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Before & After Rhinoplasty Case 306 View #1 View in Los Angeles, CA
Before & After
Case: 1 of 8

This 27-year-old woman didn't like the appearance of her nose, which she felt was too strong for her otherwise delicate features. She wanted to reshape the tip of her nose and create a more feminine profile by reducing the size of her nasal dorsum. After considering several Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeons, she decided to schedule a consu... Read More
Before & After Rhinoplasty Case 417 View #1 View in Los Angeles, CA
Before & After
Case: 2 of 8

This 27-year-old man desired less prominent ears and nose. Dr. Stoker performed ear pinning (otoplasty) and nose reshaping for him. He is shown before and four months following his surgery. His results will continue to improve over the course of a year as his swelling completely resolves. Read More
Before & After Rhinoplasty Case 521 View #1 View in Los Angeles, CA
Before & After
Case: 3 of 8

This 18-year-old woman wanted a more feminine nose. Dr. Stoker performed a rhinoplasty to accomplish her goals. She now has the beautiful and natural appearance that she desired. She is shown before and six weeks following her surgery.
Before & After Rhinoplasty Case 307 View #1 View in Los Angeles, CA
Before & After
Case: 4 of 8

This 28-year-old woman sustained a severe nasal fracture that caused her nose to slant to the left. The fracture had also caused the nasal bone to protrude on her left side and she had a severely deviated septum that made it difficult for her to breathe, especially at night. Tired of suffering for years and losing sleep because she had to bre... Read More
Before & After Rhinoplasty Case 467 View #1 View in Los Angeles, CA
Before & After
Case: 5 of 8

This 28-year-old woman desired to have a more ideally shaped nose. Dr. Stoker performed a rhinoplasty procedure to accomplish her goal. She is shown before and one month following surgery. Although her result is already beautiful, it will continue to improve over the course of a year. Read More
Before & After Facelift - Traceless Facelift Case 2219 Front View in Los Angeles, CA
Before & After
Case: 6 of 8

This 55-year-old patient sought Dr. David Stoker’s expertise in Los Angeles to achieve a youthful, revitalized facial appearance. With her professional background in sales, she desired a refreshed look that would enhance her confidence. Dr. Stoker addressed her goals with his signature Traceless Face and Neck Lift, complemented by Rhinoplasty... Read More

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

Why choose Dr. Stoker?

The Dr. Stoker Difference

For Your Rhinoplasty:
Dr. Stoker performs hundreds of nose operations as a rhinoplasty specialist.
He completed his plastic surgery residency training at NYU Medical Center, one of the best programs in the world for rhinoplasty surgeons.
He has been interviewed on “Dr. Phil,” The Learning Channel, and “Modern Beauty” for rhinoplasty.
David Stoker, MD

Breathing and Insurance

Many patients have significant breathing impairments that may be considered medical problems and thus are covered by insurance. This may include surgery to correct a deviated septum. Insurance may also cover fracture deformities of the nose caused by accidents. Cosmetic surgery, on the other hand, is not covered by insurance. If there is a cosmetic component to a medically necessary procedure, the patient pays separately for the cosmetic portion of the operation. Insurance companies are careful to separate the cosmetic from the medically necessary portions of surgery.

Dr. David Stoker

Dr. David Stoker

Educated at some of the most elite institutions in the country, Dr. David Stoker uses his highly advanced knowledge to ensure that each patient achieves beautiful, harmonious results — whether it's through a simple non-surgical procedure or a more advanced surgical transformation. Learn more about his unique credentials and his approach to plastic surgery.

Why Choose Dr. Stoker
Professional Resume

Candidates for Nose Surgery

Patients of all ages consider nasal surgery. It’s best to wait until the patient’s nose is fully developed before doing rhinoplasty. That’s usually by age 16 for women and a year or two later for men. The age group most likely to seek rhinoplasty is the late teens to early twenties. In my experience, improved appearance of the nose in this age group often leads to significant improvements in self-confidence. These patients are especially happy when they breathe better as well.

The other common group of rhinoplasty patients I see is slightly older. Often, the appearance of their nose has long been a concern for them, but they’re seeking more subtle change at this stage in their lives. Other times, they may notice that their nose is larger and droopier than it used to be, and it’s starting to remind them more of their parents’ appearance rather than the way it looked in their high school yearbook. Helping these patients obtain natural-looking rhinoplasty results is particularly rewarding for me.

What Is a ‘Liquid Rhinoplasty’ and Is It Right for You?

Some patients who have concerns about the appearance of their nose but aren’t ready for surgical rhinoplasty may be good candidates for a liquid nose job. This involves having one of our expert injectors use dermal fillers to address a specific concern.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty Recovery Timeline

Patients typically recover quickly following rhinoplasty. Even though each patient’s recovery experience is unique, this timeline reflects what you can generally expect:

One week after surgery

Bruising subsides, and you can comfortably return to school or work. We’ll remove splints 4 to 6 days following surgery. You’ll see the initial results when the splints come off, but the results continue to improve over the course of a year.

3 weeks post-surgery

Most patients can gradually resume light exercise and non-strenuous activities. As the swelling and bruising diminish, the results become clearer.

4 to 6 weeks post-surgery

Most patients can resume all normal activities, including workouts. Continue to be patient with the healing process. While swelling is much less visible, your nose hasn’t fully settled.

4 to 6 months following surgery

The healing process is almost complete. You are now able to resume contact sports.

One year after rhinoplasty

The swelling has completely subsided, and the healing process is officially over.

Risks

In my experience, complications from nose reshaping are uncommon. The risks of rhinoplasty may include bleeding, infection, difficulty breathing, and asymmetry. Each of these complications may be treated effectively.

Rhinoplasty FAQ
What’s the best age to get a nose job?

The age of rhinoplasty patients typically ranges from the late teens to 35, but there is no upper age limit for undergoing a nose job. For younger patients, the nose must be fully developed before getting rhinoplasty. For girls, that is usually around age 15 or 16. Boys take about a year or two longer..

How is ethnic rhinoplasty different than traditional rhinoplasty?

Unlike traditional rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty focuses on preserving unique ethnic features while enhancing nasal appearance. It requires specialized techniques to address thicker skin, broader nasal structures, and different cartilage characteristics common in non-Caucasian noses.

How does a plastic surgeon change the appearance of the nose through rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty surgeons in Los Angeles change the underlying cartilage and bone structures and sometimes the surface skin to improve the appearance of the nose.

How does a plastic surgeon improve breathing with nose surgery?

Breathing can be improved when Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeons open the airways where they’re pinched due to narrow internal valves, obstructed by a deviated septum or constrained due to enlargement of internal structures such as the turbinates.

What is a septoplasty?

Septoplasty modifies the midline cartilage that separates the two nasal airways. The septum is frequently deviated in patients who experience impeded airflow. A septoplasty will usually improve nasal breathing and may help with appearance as well.

Does insurance cover rhinoplasty surgery?

Insurance may cover all or part of nose surgery if there is substantial deformation resulting from trauma. Insurance frequently covers functional nasal surgery to open the nasal airways.

What types of complications may result from nose surgery?

Complications can include infection, bleeding and difficulty breathing. These are rare in my experience.

How long is the recovery from rhinoplasty surgery?

Patients normally have the splint removed in 4 or 5 days. Most feel they look better already; improvement continues over the course of the next year as swelling completely resolves.

How painful is a nose job?

Some patients experience a mild headache, and some report temporary numbness. Most people find they do not need much prescription pain medication during recovery.

Is it necessary to pack the nose following nasal surgery?

It’s not usually necessary to pack the nose for my rhinoplasty patients. The only time packing is needed is when surgery involves extensive modification of the airways to improve breathing.

How often is rhinoplasty revision surgery necessary?

All rhinoplasty specialists need to perform revisions from time to time. My revision rate is particularly low at approximately 1% of rhinoplasty operations.

Do you specialize in revision rhinoplasty?

Yes, nose surgery is one of my areas of specialization, including revision rhinoplasty. Because I perform surgery on so many noses I also enjoy handling difficult cases and revising the work of other surgeons.

What type of anesthesia is used for rhinoplasty?

Light general anesthesia is appropriate for most patients. Local or intravenous sedation may be reasonable if only slight modification will be performed.

How long does the rhinoplasty operation take?

Nose surgery takes 2 to 3 hours depending on the complexity of the case.

What is liquid rhinoplasty?

Liquid rhinoplasty is a nonsurgical technique often called a liquid nose job. During the procedure, our expert injector uses dermal fillers to address specific concerns about the nose’s appearance, such as a nasal hump or droopy tip.

Start With a Consultation

If you’re looking for a top facial plastic surgery specialist in Los Angeles to perform rhinoplasty, you can request a consultation with Dr. Stoker using the online form or by calling (310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Stoker is a top RealSelf.com contributor on Rhinoplasty Q&A.

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