Rhinoplasty for Men

While many people tend to associate plastic surgery with women, the truth is that thousands of men undergo cosmetic procedures each year. In fact, male rhinoplasty is one of the most popular surgeries among men. Just like any other rhinoplasty procedure, male rhinoplasty can alter the shape and contour of the nose, a feature that is often a source of embarrassment and self-consciousness for men. The male nose reshaping surgery does have some unique elements, however. Before making the decision to undergo the procedure, read below to find out more information about rhinoplasty, including its risks, benefits, and outcomes.

Candidates for Male Rhinoplasty

Males who are unhappy with the size or shape of their nose can undergo rhinoplasty as early as 16 years of age. It is recommended that patients are not any younger because the nose must be fully developed prior to surgery. Candidates for rhinoplasty surgery typically consider the procedure because they are unhappy with the appearance of their nose. If the nose is crooked, wide, asymmetrical, has a bulbous tip or a noticeable bump, this can detract from the overall appearance, leading them to consider surgery. In other, less common, cases a male may seek rhinoplasty in order to correct breathing abnormalities and discomfort. Patients who have been injured or were born with structural deformities can benefit from nose reshaping surgery, which can open the nasal airways. Most importantly, however, a good candidate for male rhinoplasty has realistic expectations about the outcome of surgery. After an initial consultation, a qualified surgeon can determine if male rhinoplasty is a viable cosmetic option.

Male Nose Reshaping Benefits

Patients who undergo the nose reshaping procedure can reap a number of cosmetic and functional benefits from surgery. Some of these benefits include:

• Balanced Facial Features
• Elimination of Bumps or Unevenness
• Improved Contours
• Correction of Birth Defects
• Alleviation of Breathing Difficulties
• Increased Self-Confidence

Visit the DocShop gallery to view rhinoplasty before and after photos.

Photo credit: Minas Constantinides, MD, FACS, PC

Nose Reshaping Procedure

Rhinoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure that is performed under general anesthesia. Depending on the extent of the changes being made, surgery can take anywhere from one to three hours. While the actual steps of male rhinoplasty surgery do not really vary from traditional rhinoplasty, it is important that the surgeon who performs the surgery is familiar with shaping the male nose. Just as ethnic rhinoplasty requires certain techniques, the male nose should be shaped with certain characteristics in mind.

During surgery, the skin of the nose is lifted away from the underlying bone and cartilage so that the surgeon can sculpt the nose into the desired shape. After the cartilage and bone have been shaped as the surgeons sees fit, the skin is draped back over the repaired nose and allowed to heal. A splint is applied to assist in keeping the new shape of the nose, and nasal packing may be inserted to hold the tissue that separates the nostrils stationary. The splint is typically removed after two weeks and the packing removed after a few days. Initial recovery from surgery is about one week, but results of the surgery can take up to a year to develop.

Surgery Risks

As with all other surgeries, male rhinoplasty does carry some risks. Choosing a qualified surgeon and following pre-and-post operative instructions will help reduce the risks associated with surgery, which may include:

• Anesthesia Complications
• Excessive Bleeding
• Infection
• Hematoma
• Nosebleeds
• Numbness
• Scarring
• Nerve Damage
• Ruptured Blood Vessels

Many Patients Want to Know ...

How common are male rhinoplasty procedures?

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 24% of nose reshaping surgeries are now performed on men. Overall, the cosmetic surgery industry has seen a continued increase in male patients. For answers to more of your questions, visit our frequently asked questions section.

Contact a Surgeon

Contact a local plastic surgeon to find out if you are a good candidate for rhinoplasty.