Everyone’s nose is different, and a prominent feature that affects the appearance of your face. Both men and women who are dissatisfied with the shape or size of their nose may consider plastic surgery to reshape or resize it. Heredity is the main factor that determines the shape of your nose, although injuries to the nose can also alter its appearance and affect your breathing. If your nose causes you concern and you think changing it will improve your self-image and appearance, nose reshaping may be right for you.
At McCue Plastic Surgery, Dr. Jonathan McCue takes a personalized approach to eyelid surgery, focusing on subtle, natural-looking improvements that enhance each patient’s overall facial appearance. Serving patients throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul, Dr. McCue combines advanced surgical training with compassionate, patient-centered care to help patients look more refreshed while maintaining their natural expressions.
What is Rhinoplasty?
Plastic surgeons can improve most appearance problems involving the nose. Often, small changes can have a big impact on appearance, and nose reshaping is a common procedure among plastic surgeons. Some of the things rhinoplasty can correct include:
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A large nose disproportionate to other facial features.
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Difficulty breathing through the nose.
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An overly wide nose.
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Bumps on the bridge of the nose.
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A bulbous or enlarged nasal tip.
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A nasal tip that droops or is too upturned.
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An off-center or crooked nose.
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Oversized or excessively flared nostrils.
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Asymmetrical nose due to previous injury.
Evaluating Your Nose in a Consultation
When you have a nose-reshaping consultation with Dr. McCue, he will ask you about your current health, current medications, and medical history, along with any previous injuries or surgeries on your nose. He’ll ask you to describe what bothers you about your nose and what results you’d like to achieve.
Dr. McCue will examine your nose, both externally and internally, and assess its size and shape in relation to your other facial features and your skin type. He may also take measurements and photographs. He will then make recommendations about reshaping your nose and give you a good idea of what results you can expect. You’ll learn about the surgical procedures, the risks involved in the surgery, and the cost of the surgery, and you’ll get answers to all of your questions.
Types of Rhinoplasty
Dr. McCue can perform several types of rhinoplasty:
Open Rhinoplasty
When performing open rhinoplasty, Dr. McCue places a small incision on the columella, the strip of tissue that separates your nostrils. This allows him ample access to the inner structure of the nose for complex nose reshaping procedures.
Closed Rhinoplasty
If smaller modifications are requested for the nose, Dr. McCue may be able to perform closed rhinoplasty, in which all the incisions are placed inside the nostrils (therefore creating no visible scarring).
Functional Rhinoplasty
A functional rhinoplasty, or septoplasty, is a surgery that prioritizes improving breathing. Dr. McCue can straighten a deviated septum so that air flows through the nose normally. Sometimes, a patient will request cosmetic and functional elements in a single procedure.
Male Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular forms of male plastic surgery. Dr. McCue takes a slightly different approach to male rhinoplasty, since the traits that make a male nose attractive can differ from what women typically request. Usually, this means creating a nose that is larger and wider, with prominent nostrils.
Revision Rhinoplasty
When a patient is not fully satisfied with a prior nose job, revision rhinoplasty by another surgeon is appropriate. Because the nose is more delicate after a rhinoplasty and the revision techniques are more challenging, it is important to select an outstanding plastic surgeon to perform this surgery.
Rhinoplasty Procedures – What to Expect
After you decide to go ahead with nose reshaping, Dr. McCue will schedule the surgery and select a Twin Cities location with you. Nose reshaping is often done on an outpatient basis, so you’ll probably be able to go home on the day of the surgery. Some nose reshaping procedures are performed under local anesthesia, while others require general anesthesia.
Different surgical procedures are used for each type of condition. In some cases, all incisions are made inside the nose, but small, inconspicuous external incisions are needed for some surgeries. Dr. McCue will discuss the exact procedures he will use with you prior to the surgery.
Rhinoplasty Recovery and Results
After your surgery, you’ll recover for a time in a recovery room. You’ll receive medication for discomfort both in the recovery room and to take with you. A splint may be present to protect your nose for several days, and soft packing may also be used inside of your nose. You’ll be given detailed self-care instructions before you return home.
You can expect some bruising around the eyes and cheeks, but it will fade in a few days and can be concealed with makeup after the first couple of days. Swelling can be significant and uncomfortable, but it will diminish over time. You should be able to return to work within a week to ten days. Follow-up visits with Dr. McCue will be scheduled. As the bruising and swelling decrease, you’ll see the results of your surgery, and improvements will continue over the next few months.
Why Choose McCue Plastic Surgery for Rhinoplasty
At McCue Plastic Surgery, rhinoplasty is approached with careful attention to facial balance, proportion, and natural-looking results. Dr. Jonathan McCue is a board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced surgical training and experience performing personalized nasal reshaping procedures tailored to each patient’s facial structure, aesthetic goals, and functional concerns.
Dr. McCue believes that successful rhinoplasty should enhance facial harmony while preserving each patient’s unique appearance. He takes time to thoroughly educate patients about their options, expected outcomes, and recovery process so they can feel informed and confident throughout their surgical journey. Patients throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul trust McCue Plastic Surgery for compassionate care, honest communication, and refined results designed to complement their natural features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that enhances nose shape, symmetry, and functionality. Here at McCue Plastic Surgery, our highly experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan McCue, is known for his natural, beautiful rhinoplasty results in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Rhinoplasty can address concerns such as:
- A dorsal hump (nose bridge bump)
- A crooked or asymmetrical nose
- A bulbous or drooping nasal tip
- Wide or flared nostrils
- Breathing difficulties due to structural issues inside the nose
In some cases, the reason for rhinoplasty is both cosmetic and functional. Dr. McCue can combine approaches as needed so that this surgery can improve appearance and breathing.
Ideal candidates for rhinoplasty meet these criteria.
- Health: Good overall health
- Age: Fully developed nasal structures (typically age 16+)
- Personal Goals: Unhappy with the size or shape of their nose or looking for a solution to improve breathing
- Expectations: Realistic expectations about the results
Dr. McCue evaluates each patient’s goals to determine the best surgical approach.
Open rhinoplasty involves an incision under the nose (columella,) allowing Dr. McCue to expose the nasal anatomy for a clear view as he works. A closed rhinoplasty uses only internal incisions, minimizing visible scars. An open rhinoplasty allows for more extensive corrections, but a closed one can precisely target certain issues. The choice depends on the complexity of the correction needed.
Functional rhinoplasty corrects breathing issues caused by:
- Deviated Septum
- Nasal Valve Collapse
- Enlarged Turbinates
Some patients who need a functional rhinoplasty also request cosmetic improvements to achieve balanced, long-lasting results.
Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient surgery, so you can return home to start your recovery that same day. Recovery varies by patient and with the complexity of the procedure but generally follows this timeline:
- 1st Week: Swelling and bruising peak; nasal splint removed
- 2-4 Weeks: Most swelling subsides, and normal activities resume
- 3-6 Months: Subtle swelling decreases, and shape refines
- Within a Year: Final results are fully visible
Dr. McCue provides detailed post-op instructions to ensure proper healing.
Closed rhinoplasty leaves no external scars. Open rhinoplasty involves a small incision underneath the nose, which fades over time and is barely visible once healed.
Functional rhinoplasty focuses on improving nasal function rather than aesthetics. It corrects breathing problems caused by structural abnormalities while maintaining or enhancing the nose’s natural shape.
Yes. A septoplasty is often performed alongside rhinoplasty to straighten a deviated septum, improving airflow and reducing nasal obstructions.
Revision rhinoplasty corrects lingering problems from a previous nose surgery. It may be necessary for patients who:
- Are unhappy with their initial rhinoplasty results
- Experience breathing issues after surgery
- Have residual deformities, like nasal bossae (cartilage bumps on the lower nose) that need further refinement
Revision procedures require advanced surgical skills, which Dr. McCue provides with precision and care.
Rhinoplasty is unique to every patient, so the cost of your surgery will reflect the types of changes you have requested and the techniques necessary to achieve your goals. Dr. McCue can provide a quote following your consultation. In most cases, rhinoplasty is considered an elective procedure, but insurance may cover some of the costs if surgery is necessary to improve breathing.
Although some plastic surgery procedures are eventually affected by aging, rhinoplasty results can last a lifetime because your nose largely holds its shape. Remember that seeing your final results as the swelling subsides may require patience.
Refine Your Facial Balance and Feel More Confident with Rhinoplasty in Minneapolis, MN
Rhinoplasty can improve the size, shape, symmetry, and overall appearance of the nose while helping create better facial harmony and confidence. Whether you are seeking cosmetic enhancement, functional improvement, or correction following a previous injury, Dr. McCue provides personalized rhinoplasty procedures tailored to your individual goals.
To learn more about rhinoplasty or to schedule your consultation, contact McCue Plastic Surgery, serving Minneapolis and St. Paul, today at (952) 830-0089.
