Asian Rhinoplasty
Premier Houston Rhinoplasty Surgeon Dr. Michel Siegel
Asian rhinoplasty is a custom surgical enhancement of the nose for people of Asian descent. Asian rhinoplasty surgery will be specifically tailored to honor your cultural identity while creating a more attractive nose shape, in harmony and balance with your features. This procedure is delicate and meticulous, different in technique from rhinoplasty performed on Caucasians.
Note: Dr. Siegel specializes in preservation and ultrasonic rhinoplasty, both of which produce superior results. He is one of the few surgeons in the US experienced in these types of rhinoplasty. Find out more.
What is Asian Rhinoplasty?
An Asian rhinoplasty corrects the aspects of your nose that can make you self-conscious. An understanding of the anatomy of an Asian nose is essential in creating results that appear natural and bring out the most attractive aspects of your natural features. As the cartilage and skin differs in Asian people, specialized techniques are employed in a customized Asian rhinoplasty. Dr. Michel Siegel is widely regarded as being among the finest facial plastic surgeons in the Houston area and the state, a true artist at transforming an Asian nose so it is more attractive and a true enhancement for your features.
Hollie Nguyen
Avani Persaud
How is Asian rhinoplasty unique?
A person’s nose is a singularly unique feature. When we look at people from all over the world and from different cultural backgrounds, and nose structure varies widely. The Asian nose structure is unique, and often involves thicker skin, weaker cartilage, a flatter bridge, and a rounded tip. Patients who are looking for an Asian rhinoplasty often want:
- A reduction in the width of their nostrils
- A reduction in the width of the nasal bridge
- Enhanced projection of the nose
- Augmented or sculpted nasal tip and bridge
- A more flattering shape to the nasal tip
What should I expect during the surgery?
Dr. Siegel will break down the surgery for you so that you understand exactly what will be necessary in your case. The usual steps in an Asian rhinoplasty procedure goes as follows:
- General anesthesia or intravenous sedation is administered
- An incision is made either on the column between the nostrils (the open method) or within the nostrils (the closed method)
- Cartilage is taken from the septum or ear for use in grafting to augment the nasal tip or bridge
- The nostrils are reshaped
- Any issues such as a deviated septum are corrected to allow for unobstructed breathing
What should I expect during the surgery?
Dr. Siegel will break down the surgery for you so that you understand exactly what will be necessary in your case. The usual steps in an Asian rhinoplasty procedure goes as follows:
- General anesthesia or intravenous sedation is administered
- An incision is made either on the column between the nostrils (the open method) or within the nostrils (the closed method)
- Cartilage is taken from the septum or ear for use in grafting to augment the nasal tip or bridge
- The nostrils are reshaped
- Any issues such as a deviated septum are corrected to allow for unobstructed breathing
What is the recovery time after Asian rhinoplasty?
The initial recovery period takes six weeks. During the recovery period there will be important aftercare instructions to follow. The instructions include:
- Avoid bending over
- Sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling
- Use cold compresses
- Keep the surgical site clean and bandages dry
- Avoid strenuous exercise or activities
- Go for short walks to increase your circulation
- Avoid any blood-thinning medications or supplements for a specified period after surgery
Your Nose Surgeon Should Be There for Your Entire Recovery
Most of the swelling goes down in the first few weeks. The rest takes months, and small changes in the tip can keep showing up past the first year. The nose you see the day the splint comes off isn’t necessarily the nose you end up with.
The year after surgery is more than just a waiting period. Questions come up about taping, about when you can work out again, about whether something you are feeling is normal. They are easier to answer when the person answering is the one who did the operation.
In Houston, follow-up is a short drive on San Felipe. Dr. Siegel calls his patients himself after surgery and sees them through the first year, and because it is a one-physician practice, the surgeon who plans your operation is the one who follows you through it. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and has operated on the face and nothing below the neck for more than twenty years.
Worth asking any surgeon you are considering: Who will I be seeing at month nine after my nose surgery?
Susan V.
Frequently Asked Questions About Asian Rhinoplasty
Question:
Is an Asian rhinoplasty covered by insurance?
Answer:
Cosmetic nose surgery is not covered by insurance, However, when functional aspects of the nose, such as a deviated septum, are being corrected, then that portion of the cost may be covered depending on your insurance provider.
Question:
When will I see results?
Answer:
You will be able to see your results as soon as you are able to remove your bandages. These results will continue to develop over time as any swelling subsides and you have fully healed. You should expect to feel confident in social situations in about six weeks. Your nose shape will slowly refine over time, with residual swelling fading away in the months ahead.