Nose reshaping, or rhinoplasty, is a procedure to change the appearance of the nose. It may be performed to shorten or lengthen the nose, increase or decrease its width, reshape the tip, remove bumps in the cartilage, narrow the opening in the nostrils or change the angle between the end of the nose and the upper lip.

When the surgery is completed, a splint may be placed on the nose to temporarily keep the new shape. Swelling, bruising, headache or facial pain and minor bleeding are common during the first few days of recovery. Most patients are able to return to school or work within one to two weeks. It may be several weeks until normal activities can be resumed. The results are permanent. However, it can take up to one year for complete healing and final improvement.

According to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 141,912 rhinoplasties were performed last year. The procedure takes about one to two hours and costs an average of $4,188.

A Filler for the Nose

Some people who are considering rhinoplasty may be candidates for another, less invasive procedure using the injectable filler, Radiesse®. Radiesse is calcium hydroxylapatite, a synthetic version of the same material found in bones and teeth. It's approved by the FDA for filling in fine lines and wrinkles in the face. Once injected, Radiesse lasts longer than other approved fillers (two years or more, compared to six months to one year for other types).

Cosmetic Dermatologist, Cameron Rokhsar, M.D., is using Radiesse in patients who want to change the shape of their nose without undergoing surgery. He says planning and careful injections of small amounts of the filler can restore proportion and symmetry to the nose and make a large nose appear smaller.

To perform the injections, a numbing cream is placed on the nose. It takes about a half hour for the anesthetic to work. The Radiesse injections take about 15 minutes. Afterwards, patients may experience some slight swelling or bruising from the injections. However, these side effects can often be camouflaged with make-up. There is no down time. Patients are able to go back to work or their regular activities immediately after the injections.

Since Radiesse only lasts for about two years, patients will need to eventually return for touch-ups. Rokhsar says there is a theoretical concern that injection of Radiesse on top of bone could promote the formation of bone cells. However, this effect hasn't been seen. And, he says, if bone formation did happen, it would make the changes permanent - eliminating the need for more injections.

Rokhsar says most patients who are considering rhinoplasty are candidates for a nose filler. The only patients who are not good candidates are those who need to change the shape of their nostrils.

For information about Dr. Rokhsar's use of Radiesse, visit his website at http://www.cosmeticlaserskinsurgery.com, or call (212) 593-1818.

For general information on Radiesse®, http://www.radiesse.com.

For general information of cosmetic procedures:

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons