Asian Rhinoplasty

Asian rhinoplasty aims to achieve an aesthetically pleasing nose without compromising the traits of Asian heritage.

Asian Rhinoplasty in Palo Alto, San Jose, and the Bay Area

If you feel that your nose is too low, too wide, or doesn’t fit well with the rest of your face, Dr. Jill Hessler performs outstanding Asian rhinoplasty procedures with her skill and understanding of the cosmetic and anatomical complexities of Asian facial features.

What can Asian rhinoplasty accomplish?

Asian rhinoplasty is a highly customizable surgical procedure that involves improvements to the nasal tip, bridge, nasal base, and sometimes the nostrils. The goal is to get the nose that fits your face beautifully while preserving your Asian features. Dr. Hessler is a highly experience facial plastic surgeon who can skillfully re-shape the nose.

Asian rhinoplasty procedure can:

Increase the projection and length of the tip
Narrow the nostrils
Augment the nasal bridge with organic grafts or synthetic implants

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The importance of choosing a specialist

Asian rhinoplasty should only be done by a skilled facial plastic surgeon who is very experienced in this specific area — a professional who understands the structural traits and complexities of Asian facial anatomy.

Shaping the nose demands detailed care, and Asian noses can be uniquely challenging because they have less cartilage. Dr. Jill Hessler is a facial plastic surgeon who is widely known for her detail-oriented approach and artistic eye with Asian rhinoplasty.

What options are there for Asian rhinoplasty?

Bridge narrowing

Most Asian noses have bridges that are low and not very defined. Narrowing the bridge is done to subtly alter this area to help the nose appear stronger. Either cartilage from the patient’s body or synthetic implants are typically used.

Dorsal augmentation

Dorsal augmentation “builds up” the nose using cartilage from the patient’s own body. Cartilage can be taken from the rib, ear, or septum and used to increase the projection of the nose or lengthen the bridge.

Nasal tip surgery

Many Asian patients want the tip of their nose to be more defined. Dr. Hessler can achieve this by changing the shape and projection of the tip, sometimes with the help of additional cartilage. Often the nostrils are also narrowed as well.

Asian rhinoplasty surgical details

Rhinoplasty typically takes about two hours, and is performed under moderate sedation or general anesthesia at our AAAASF certified surgical center at Hessler Plastic Surgery. Dr. Hessler will either perform an open rhinoplasty (the incision is made on the outside of the nose) or a closed rhinoplasty (all incisions are made on the inside lining of the nose).

If cartilage is needed to build up parts of the nose, it will be taken from the ear, rib, or septum and added to the parts of the nose where it is needed. Synthetic materials may also be used instead of cartilage.

After the changes are made, Dr. Hessler will place the tissues back to their place and re-drape the skin of the nose. The incisions will then be closed. Surgical dressings will be applied to the nose and face to help with healing.

Recovery

Any patient undergoing rhinoplasty should plan for 2 to 3 weeks off of work, school, and/or social activities. You can expect up to two weeks of swelling, bruising, and discomfort. If you have a splint or stitches, they will be removed one week after surgery.

During recovery, your nose will feel congested, but you won’t be able to blow your nose. You will need to avoid getting the surgical dressings wet, and you will need to keep your head elevated as much as possible, even during sleep. Swelling may make your nose appear larger than it actually is for an extended amount of time.

It will subside more and more each day, but the total time for swelling may last up to a year. It is very important to follow the aftercare instructions that Dr. Hessler will give you during your consultation.

Results

If you’re in Palo Alto, San Jose, or the Bay Area and you are considering Asian rhinoplasty, you should be aware that it may take up to 18 months to see final results — especially at the nasal tip. Swelling and bruising will be much improved after two weeks, and by the end of the first month, you will see a lot of improvement. However, you will continue to see changes for months following.

Your consultation with Dr. Hessler

During your consultation with Dr. Hessler, she will create a personalized surgical plan for your rhinoplasty. Your plan will be customized to match your goals and facial structure. Dr. Hessler will carefully review your surgical plan with you to make sure you understand everything. She will discuss what you like and dislike about your current nose, the changes you wish to make, your medical history (including any previous surgeries), your current medications, and what exactly Asian rhinoplasty can accomplish for you. She will also take you step-by-step through the entire process, encouraging you to voice any questions or concerns.

Is Asian rhinoplasty right for you?

If you’re in Palo Alto, San Jose, or the Bay Area and you’re interested in an Asian rhinoplasty, you may be the perfect candidate. Those who are best for this procedure are Asian women or men who:

Are healthy non-smokers
Are at least 18 years old
Are unhappy with the appearance of their nose
Have suffered a nose injury
Have difficulty breathing through their nose Want to maintain certain features
associated with their heritage

Hessler Plastic Surgery for Asian rhinoplasty in Palo Alto, San Jose, and the Bay Area

If you’re interested in Asian rhinoplasty in Palo Alto, San Jose, or the Bay Area, Dr. Jill Hessler is the right surgeon for you. She an award-winning, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who is known for delivering facial enhancement results that look natural and bring out her patients’ existing beauty. Rhinoplasty is one of Dr. Hessler’s top surgeries, and is also one of her areas of focus.

Dr. Hessler has been in practice for over a decade, and she currently holds a position as Chair of the Women on the Facial Plastic Surgery committee at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Under her guidance at Hessler Plastic Surgery, you will experience a team of highly trained registered nurses and staff who make it their goal to take excellent care of you, from your first consultation to your last follow-up. To learn more about how Dr. Hessler approaches Asian rhinoplasty or to schedule a consultation, please contact us.

FAQ

How is Asian rhinoplasty different from other types of rhinoplasty?

The goal of Asian rhinoplasty tends to be quite different than rhinoplasty for Caucasians. The majority of Caucasian rhinoplasties focus on making the nose smaller, whereas Asian rhinoplasty often aims to increase the size of the nose. And while both types of rhinoplasty frequently adjust the nasal tip, the goal and techniques for doing so are very different. A Caucasian patient may request a shorter nasal tip with less projection, while an Asian patient may request more projection.

What are the typical characteristics of an Asian nose?

First, it’s important to note that not all Asian noses are the same. For example, the noses of Southeast Asian individuals (Burmese, Cambodian, Filipino, Indonesian, Laotian, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese) may have lower nasal bridges and wider, flaring nostrils. Those from Eastern Asia (China, Japan, and Korea) often require less nostril narrowing. In general, Asians have thicker skin, with many sebaceous glands. The nose tends to be flat and low, with a wide tip. The nostrils may also be flared or wide. The nose cartilage is also quite thin. It is important to understand that no rhinoplasty — Asian or otherwise — should be “one size fits all”. Every nose is unique, and every rhinoplasty should be, too.

Does insurance cover a nose job?

Medical insurance will sometimes cover a portion of the cost of rhinoplasty surgery. If a significant deviation is present, particularly from an injury, or if there are breathing problems, insurance will occasionally cover the cost to repair the deviated septum. This septoplasty procedure can be combined with the cosmetic rhinoplasty portion of the procedure for a combined recovery and need for only one anesthetic at our out-patient surgery center. We are out of network with all insurance plans, but can help you with the initial submission of your claim for your rhinoplasty.