Rhinoplasty – Albany, NY
The key to an attractive, natural looking nose is being able to pin-point precisely where & how it needs to be reshaped.
“Rhinoplasty is, in many ways, the most technically precise operation that we perform in plastic surgery (with facelift and eyelid lift surgery following closely behind). A one millimeter difference one way or the other can have significant effect on the post operative result. This is where experience and technical expertise are vital. It is important to properly reshape the nose so that appears perfectly natural and blends in seamlessly with the rest of the facial features. After surgery you want your nose to appear as though mother nature got things right the first time around. Far too often I see cookie cutter nose jobs that can be easily pointed out. In the vast majority of rhinoplasty cases, if you can easily tell that surgery has been performed, then the plastic surgeon has missed the ideal mark in my opinion.
It is also important to focus, when needed, on the functional aspect of the rhinoplasty, and have the ability to properly straighten the septum and make the airway passages open to improve breathing. Both aspects can be treated at the same time. Subtle ethnic differences must also be respected in the shaping of the nose. An ideal Anglo Saxon nose would not appear natural on someone of a different ethnic background. It is important to know when an open approach is more appropriate than one that is closed.
Through 26 years of experience and a long term accounting of results, I have been able to empirically establish which rhinoplasty techniques not only offer my patients consistently superior results but also which hold up the best over time. Because rhinoplasty is a game of millimeters and millidegrees, the differences between “good” and “great” nose job results are small and often depend on very small decisions a surgeon makes during the procedure. Technical precision on the part of the surgeon is obviously key, but so too is their eye for beauty and innate sense of aesthetics. I’ve spent over 2 decades perfecting my approach to rhinoplasty, and while some may claim that proficiency can be achieved faster and with far less effort, I still believe that when it comes to rhinoplasty, there’s no substituting extensive experience and a history of consistent, superior results.”
- Dr. William F. DeLuca, 2011
Request a Free Consultation
Ask Dr. D a Question
My experience with Dr. DeLuca from start to finish was a pleasant and successful journey. I was very unhappy with the bump in the bridge of my nose and I also felt it could be taken in a bit as well. I have a slender nose already, I just wanted it to be shaped correctly but naturally. I was very pleased with the professionalism and care that I have received. He explained the procedure and recovery very well and answered any questions. I am extremely happy with the result and it has only been about 2 and a half months!! I feel like I have the most perfect nose now! I also had a septoplasty in addition to the rhinoplasty. It has resolved my breathing issues while sleeping, entirely. The difference is night and day! I could not be happier and I am so very grateful to have found such a wonderful doctor to do my surgery!
- Heather H. / Rhinoplasty
Schenectady, NY
Are You a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)?
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the nose. The specific features that may be addressed include:
- The size and width of the nose in relation to facial balance
- The nasal profile, such as humps, bumps or depressions
- The shape of the nasal tip, which may be enlarged, drooping, upturned or hooked
- Nostrils that are large, wide or upturned
- Nasal asymmetry or crookedness
In some cases, nasal contour may not be the only factor contributing to facial imbalance. Other facial features, especially a small chin, weak (flat) cheeks and/or jaw, may also contribute to facial imbalance. In these cases, rhinoplasty may be performed in conjunction with placement of facial implants or other procedures to achieve the desired appearance. When performed to improve breathing function, an obstructed airway is most often the cause. Correction of obstructed breathing is considered reconstructive and may be covered by insurance. This requires a detailed examination to verify the cause of your breathing impairment. Whether you have a personal desire to improve your appearance or you seek to improve breathing function, surgery is best performed when facial growth is complete, starting around age 15.
I have been a client of Dr. DeLuca’s for 20 years. I am also in the medical profession. The skill with which Dr. DeLuca performs surgery is artistic, aesthetic, and by far the most natural I have seen. I have had several surgeries over the twenty year span, rhinoplasty as well as breast augmentation. After each recovery people ask what I am doing differently, why do I look so good? No one can place surgery as the reason which is the greatest complement to a plastic surgeon in my mind. Dr. DeLuca has an amazing way with his patients. He really pays attention to what is important to each individual. I have recommended Dr. DeLuca to over 15 people, both friends and family, all of whom have undergone surgery with him with phenomenal results and more referrals. Words can’t express the difference Dr. DeLuca has made in my life on so many levels (with increased confidence being the most important). Whether someone is seeking a plastic surgeon for either an elective or medically necessary reason, there is truly no one else I would trust or recommend more then Dr. DeLuca.
- E.J.G. / Rhinoplasty
Saratoga Springs, New York
The Nose Reshaping Procedure
Cosmetic nasal surgery is an individualized procedure that takes into account the specific characteristics that contribute to the overall appearance and relation to other facial features. Appropriate techniques may include:
- Alteration and reshaping of the nasal bridge
- Altering the shape or width
- Reshaping the nasal tip
- Reducing the width or size of the nostrils
- Adjusting the angle between the nose and upper lip
Results may not be completely symmetric, although the goal is to create facial balance and appropriate proportion. Surgery to improve an obstructed airway is also an individualized procedure. It requires careful assessment of the nasal structure as it relates to airflow and breathing. Correction of a deviated septum, one of the most common causes of breathing impairment, is achieved by adjusting the nasal structure to gain better alignment.
Nasal surgery is performed either by using a closed procedure or an open procedure. In a closed procedure, the incisions are hidden inside the nostril, whereas in an open procedure the incision is made across the columella (the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils). Through these incisions, Dr. DeLuca gently raises the soft tissues that cover the nasal skeleton, allowing access to reshape the structure of the nose. Surgery can reduce or augment nasal structures with the use of cartilage grafted from other areas of your body. Once the underlying structure of the nose is sculpted to the desired shape, nasal skin and tissue is re-draped and incisions are closed. Most likely, splints and packing will support the nose as it begins to heal.
The risks associated with nasal surgery include infection, nosebleed or rupture of small surface vessels of the nose. Aesthetic outcomes can be a little bit unpredictable, so in some cases a second procedure may be necessary to fully achieve your desired appearance.
Recovery After Rhinoplasty
Initial healing may include some common conditions such as: swelling, bruising, headache and discomfort that can be controlled with medication and cold compresses. You will be instructed to keep your head elevated at all times until initial swelling has subsided and to keep any nasal packing in place. Any packing or internal splints will most likely be removed after the first week, although you may need to wear the external splint for an additional week or two. The healing process will continue for several weeks as swelling continues to dissipate and the improved appearance begins to come apparent. You must also protect your nose from injury during any physical activity for the next 4 to 6 months. The outcome of the surgery will appear gradually over time. At a minimum, a year is considered normal for the outcome of nose surgery to fully refine. Generally, the results are permanent; however, the main supporting structure of the nose, cartilage, is continually growing and moving tissue that may change the outcome over time.
The Importance of Post-Procedure Care
Because a superlative rhinoplasty result requires superlative post-procedure care, Dr. DeLuca will be available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have until you are fully recovered. Dr. DeLuca is also perfectly happy answering questions both before and after surgery by either phone or email. Every rhinoplasty patient is required to see Dr. DeLuca the day after their operation to assure that everything looks exactly as it should. Patients then typically come in for their post-op checkups one week, one month, six months and one year after the operation. Some patients prefer to come in more often while others less. Some patients have lots of little questions they like Dr. DeLuca to answer while others have only a few. How you approach your recovery from rhinoplasty is entirely up to you. Dr. DeLuca does not charge for any post-op visits and will open up his schedule to see you anytime following your surgery.
Request a Free Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping) Consultation or
Call DeLuca Plastic Surgery today at 518.724.2444.
I had been unhappy with the bump on my nose since I was a teenager. After years of not feeling good about myself, I finally decided to have a rhinoplasty. I chose Dr. DeLuca over another local doctor because I felt he and his office staff were more professional. It’s been 4 months since my surgery and I couldn’t be happier. Dr. DeLuca gave me exactly what I wanted while keeping my nose in line with my other features. He was so professional and patient during our consultations both before and after the surgery. I would recommend Dr. DeLuca to anyone who is thinking that maybe this is the time to do something for yourself. His experience, along with his kind and gentle bedside manner, are just what you want in a surgeon. I only wish I had done this sooner. Thank you Dr. DeLuca and your wonderful staff!
- Sally D. / Rhinoplasty
Albany, NY – November 7, 2011
