For many individuals, their flaw is as plain as the nose on their face; which makes nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure to date. Prominence, asymmetry, crookedness, or a bumpy appearance of the nose can lead to self-consciousness and low self-esteem. Nose plastic surgery, or rhinoplasty, involves altering the size and shape of the bridge, tip, nostrils and nose.

This fairly simple procedure can improve not only the look of the nose itself, but balance facial features and improve the total appearance and aesthetics of the face. Also, surgery can correct breathing problems caused by narrow or obstructed nostrils or a deviated septum, which is the tissue dividing the nostrils. Surgery for deviated septum is called septoplasty and can be performed at the same time as nose plastic surgery procedure.

Rhinoplasty procedures differ depending on what patient and surgeon have agreed upon in your consultation process. Be sure to go to your first consultation with a comprehensive list of questions to ask your potential surgeon.

Procedure
Rhinoplasty surgery can take from anywhere between one and four hours, and can be performed under general or local anesthetic, which is a pre-surgery choice that patients make with their doctors.

There are two types of nose surgeries; open and closed. The type you will need is determined by your surgeon. Closed rhinoplasty is used mainly to perform less complicated reshaping of the nose. This requires small incisions limited to the inside of the nose and is considered to be least invasive with lower swelling and faster recovery times.

For more complicated rhinoplasty, the open procedure involves small incisions between the nostrils as well as incisions inside the nose. Commonly, surgeons will opt to perform open rhinoplasty surgery, because it allows for better visibility. Swelling and bruising persist longer after open surgery, however the difference is minor.

The specific nature of the shaping and sculpting of the nose depends entirely on the specific problems and needs you discuss with your doctor prior to surgery. To begin, tiny incisions are made on the outer edges of the nose then separated from the tissues underneath. If reshaping is required, the problem-causing cartilage and bone is removed or restructured. If nostrils require narrowing, a procedure called alar narrowing is performed by removing some of the soft tissues surrounding the nostrils.

Cost
In addition to costs for hospital stay and anesthesia, fees for nasal plastic surgery range from approximately $3,500 to $6,500. The cost of nose surgery can vary depending on the extent of the procedure. You may simply want a small improvement to the tip of your nose, while others may require more extensive work to achieve the desired effect. Should you require financing to pay for your cosmetic surgery; there are numerous resources you can use.

Recovery
At the time of the procedure, patients do not experience pain because of anesthetic. Post-surgery, you will be prescribed pain medication to help with any discomfort. Directly after the procedure, a splint will be placed on your nose to protect it and you will be able to return home to recover several hours after your surgery. After about a week, the splint can be removed. In some post-surgery cases, cotton packing is inserted into the nostrils, but is removed shortly after.

Typically, patients experience stuffiness in the nose and a mild headache after their surgery. Bruising and some swelling are the most obvious signs following rhinoplasty; this will appear below the eyes and can continue for about a week. Swelling is also normal, and may last for as long as one year after the surgery. The final outcome of plastic surgery on the nose may not be fully seen until up to one year after the surgical treatment.

Risks
Rhinoplasty is considered one of the safest cosmetic surgery procedures. Some of the risks associated with this surgery include bleeding, bruising and swelling. Less commonly, visible scaring can occur, which can alter the final appearance of the nose and may require a second surgery to correct. Ultimately, the major risk of rhinoplasty is a poor cosmetic result. However, proper consultation with a reputable plastic surgeon, good after-care and follow-up appointments are the best way to ensure a positive result.

If you're considering rhinoplasty, you may want to begin researching popular and reputable areas for this type of plastic surgery. Birmingham, Cleveland and Oakland have all been targeted as popular areas for this type of procedure.