When a Deal is No Deal: The Cost of a Quality Rhinoplasty
June 21, 2019
You’re ready to reshape your nose and light up your entire face with an expertly performed rhinoplasty. You want to make sure you get the most flattering, natural-looking results possible. But you’re also concerned about the cost. Is it time to search through Groupon deals, or book a trip to another country for bargain-basement surgery? While we understand wanting to save money, there is a time and a place for choosing a service based on the lowest price. Surgery for your face isn’t one of them.
If you’re savvy about your finances, you already know that so-called “bargains” can ultimately cost more than quality goods. That’s especially true when it comes to rhinoplasty, which is one of the most complex cosmetic facial plastic surgeries performed today.
Because your nose is the central feature of your face, you can’t hide surgical mistakes or hope that no one notices them. You need to get it right the first time, to save yourself both money and emotional distress. Keep in mind that the nose is also a vital organ and an essential part of your respiratory system. It is imperative that it still functions well after surgery.
Find Out How Much Your Rhinoplasty Would Cost
Cost of Rhinoplasty by Type In New York
When estimating the cost of rhinoplasty in New York, begin by determining which type of rhinoplasty procedure will meet your needs best. To help patients interested in rhinoplasty, Dr. Miller offers the following information:
Primary Rhinoplasty
When you have never had a nose job in the past, the procedure is considered primary rhinoplasty.
You might also opt for tip plasty, which is less expensive, but only improves the look, angle or shape of the nasal tip.
The nose is a highly complex, finely sculpted structure that consists of a variety of tissue types, including skin, cartilage, and bone. Lack of expertise working with any of these mediums can result in a nose that heals incorrectly and calls unwanted attention to itself. However, a beautifully executed rhinoplasty corrects defects in the size, shape, and angle of your nose.
With an expert facial plastic surgeon such as Dr. Miller, you can expect aesthetic improvements such as:
- Shorter nose
- Straighter nose
- Removal of bumps
- More symmetrical nostrils
- Thinner or wider nostrils
- Thinner nose
- Larger nose
- More defined tip
- Nose proportionate to other facial features
Ideally, your primary rhinoplasty is so successful that you never need revision rhinoplasties, and, after your healing period of up to two years, your new nose is everything you ever dreamed it would be. In reality, if you choose the wrong surgeon, you could need at least one revision and potentially more. In fact, up to 10% of patients who undergo rhinoplasty will seek out a revision procedure. To learn more about rhinoplasty, visit medlineplus.gov.
Revision Rhinoplasty
A surgeon who is not board-certified as a facial plastic surgeon, or even a plastic surgeon who doesn’t specialize in rhinoplasty, can leave you with a nose that looks worse than your original nose. Revision surgery may cost between $7,500 to $30,000 to improve your initial results.
Keep in mind that it can take up to a full year to heal after rhinoplasty and determine whether a revision is necessary. Common reasons for needing a revision rhinoplasty include:
- Too much cartilage removed (collapsed nose)
- Over-rotated tip (pig-like nose)
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooping tip
- Crooked nose
- Asymmetric nostrils
- Nose doesn’t harmonize with facial features
- Nose is inappropriate for ethnicity or gender
If your surgeon botched your primary rhinoplasty, you could require multiple revision rhinoplasties to achieve the result you want. When the mistake is minor and you are comfortable returning to your original surgeon for revision, you may not be charged, or you could pay a reduced price.
If you’ve changed your mind about what you want, or if the mistake is so grave that you no longer trust your surgeon, you may have to pay substantially more for a new surgeon and surgery. That’s why seeking out a bargain for your first rhinoplasty isn’t a cost-effective choice.
As complex as a primary rhinoplasty is, revision rhinoplasty is even more challenging. Even a well-executed primary rhinoplasty creates scar tissue in your nose. A nose job that is poorly done could leave a significant amount of scar tissue, while creating structural problems that may be difficult to rectify.
If you need a revision rhinoplasty, it is imperative that you find a surgeon who specializes in this procedure. The quality of your cartilage, bone, and skin have already been compromised by your first surgeon. You now require expertise to compensate for that structural damage. Dr. Miller is an expert at correcting mistakes made by other surgeons and giving you the nose you want and deserve.
Non Surgical Rhinoplasty
Non surgical rhinoplasty costs about 10 times less than a surgical nose job. Charges range from $600 to about $1,800, depending on your location, the expertise of your surgeon, and the amount of filler that’s required to improve your nose. The best candidate for nonsurgical rhinoplasty is a man or woman who is happy with the length and shape of the nose but would like to address bumps or asymmetries. This procedure is accomplished with the aid of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers.
Dr. Miller also uses liquid rhinoplasty to reshape and reposition your nasal tip and recontour your nose. Other than some possible soreness and swelling directly after the injections, you will not have any required downtime, and side effects are unlikely. You may also see immediate results, and if you don’t like them, the filler can be dissolved.
Even though non surgical rhinoplasty is much less complex than rhinoplasty surgery, it still requires knowledge about facial anatomy, aesthetics, and harmony. Don’t trust your liquid rhinoplasty to an inexperienced provider. Select a board-certified doctor who is qualified to produce the best possible results for you.
If you’re nervous about rhinoplasty or you want to make some improvements to your nose while saving up for primary rhinoplasty surgery, nonsurgical rhinoplasty with dermal fillers is a great way to ease into a nose job. Many women and men opt for a nonsurgical nose job first, as a way of “auditioning” a potential new nose shape. Others are so happy with their results that they continue touching-up their nose with fillers, without ever having to undergo surgery. However, you’ll need to have follow-up treatments to maintain your results, whereas a surgical procedure provides permanent results.
Septoplasty (functional nose job)
If you have a deviated septum, your septum (the nasal bone and cartilage that divide your nose in half) takes up extra space in one of your nostrils, making it hard to breathe. Many women and men require a septoplasty in addition to their desire for cosmetic rhinoplasty. A septoplasty alone will not improve the aesthetics of the nose, but since a deviated septum is a medical condition that impairs your ability to take in full breaths through your nose, your septoplasty may be covered by your medical insurance.
When you combine rhinoplasty with septoplasty, only the portion of the operation that’s medically necessary is eligible for insurance coverage. Aesthetic improvements are not eligible for coverage or reimbursement. Never trust an unethical surgeon who tells you your cosmetic procedure will be covered or try to manipulate the system to pay for your cosmetic surgery.
Choosing Your Rhinoplasty Surgeon
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City who specializes in rhinoplasty. He has lectured on innovative rhinoplasty techniques at the International Symposium of Facial Plastic Surgery, written chapters on rhinoplasty for medical textbooks, and specializes in his patented NatraNose® approach to rhinoplasty procedures.
Dr. Miller’s Nasal Surgery Research and Scientific Papers
Structural Approach to Endonasal Rhinoplasty (view here)Anil R. Shah, MD and Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS
New Developments in Nasal Valve Analysis and Functional Nasal Surgery (view here)Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS and Dr. Minas Constantinides, MD, FACS
A Simple and Reliable Method of Patient Evaluation in the Surgical Treatment of Nasal Obstruction (view here)Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS, Dr. Minas Constantinides, MD, and Dr. Susanne K. Doud Galli, MD, PhD
Schedule A Consultation With Dr. Miller
What you’re paying for
In addition to paying for the expertise and skill of your surgeon, rhinoplasty has several other expenses to consider when making a final decision based on price:
Your procedure may vary depending on how complex and difficult it is. Dr. Miller’s quotes are always all-inclusive, and include the following:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Anesthesiologist’s fee
- Anesthesia
- Surgical center
- Postsurgical care (follow up visits and tests)
- Medication-related to surgery
- Bandages and wraps
Dr. Miller has the advantage of his own surgical suite, which helps you avoid an expensive hospital stay. When consulting with other facial plastic surgeons who specialize in rhinoplasty, always ask for a complete breakdown of their price, so you won’t be surprised by add-ons in the end.
When considering the total cost of your rhinoplasty, remember to factor in the cost of recovery. You’ll need to take time off from work, and arrange for help with your house and kids. For additional information, please visit our rhinoplasty and nose job booklet.
When a Bargain isn’t a Bargain
If you’re savvy about your finances, you already know that so-called “bargains” can ultimately cost more than quality goods. That’s especially true when it comes to rhinoplasty, which is one of the most complex cosmetic facial plastic surgeries performed today.
Because your nose is the central feature of your face, you can’t hide surgical mistakes or hope that no one notices them. You need to get it right the first time, to save yourself money and emotional distress. Keep in mind that the nose is also a vital organ and an essential part of your respiratory system. It is imperative that it still functions well after surgery. Only an expert can ensure the best result.
Schedule a Rhinoplasty Consultation Today
To set up a consultation with an expert in rhinoplasty so you can have an aesthetically pleasing, well-formed nose and the Aesthetic Confidence® it inspires, contact Dr. Miller today.
Focusing exclusively on the face for more than two decades, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Miller blends art and science with innovation and skill to provide thousands of patients with impeccable results. He is known for pioneering the NatraLook methodology for rhinoplasty, facelifts, neck lifts, and other cosmetic procedures for the face.
