Nose Job in Hudson Valley: Plastic Surgery Specialists

General anesthesia is typically recommended for rhinoplasty. However, local anesthesia may be used for minor adjustments. In general, rhinoplasty can last anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the scope. Twilight anesthesia is not recommended as patients can aspirate blood into their lungs during the surgery.

There are two types of rhinoplasty techniques: open and closed. Open refers to making a small outer incision (in the area between the nostrils), while closed procedures use internal incisions within the nose. The technique is chosen based on each individual’s needs and goals.

In some cases, Dr. Rubinstein may recommend a non-surgical approach using injection-based fillers to achieve your goals. In this case, your procedure will take less time and require no recovery time away from work. However, you may need to return to have maintenance injections from time to time.

If you live in New York, Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists offer rhinoplasty among its services. For a complete list of services, please visit our locations page.

After this outpatient procedure, you will leave the facility with a small splint on your nose and bandages to protect the healing areas. Dr. Rubenstein will prescribe pain medication to keep you comfortable during recovery.  Dr. Rubinstein uses gentle techniques and therefore doesn’t need to use uncomfortable nasal packing(tampons). 

The most commonly reported side effects include swelling, tenderness, pain, redness, minor bleeding, and bruising. If present, these temporary side effects will be most noticeable during the first 48 hours following your procedure. You may also need to sleep in an elevated position for one week to ensure any swelling around your eyes and the incision area(s) resolves as rapidly as possible.
When you return for your post-operative check-up, Dr. Rubinstein will remove any sutures.  Most of the sutures are self dissolving.  Prescription or over-the-counter pain medication should control discomfort, but you can call the office anytime with questions or concerns.

As with any invasive procedure (any procedure requiring incisions), there is always a minor risk of infection and excessive bleeding. It is critical to follow Dr. Rubinstein’s post-surgical recovery instructions precisely to ensure the best results from your procedure. risks.

The national average for touch up surgery after rhinoplasty is 25%.  Dr. Rubinstein’s revision rate is less than 10%.  Even in the best of hands, the results seen at the completion of surgery may change over time due to unpredictable healing.  Scarring can lead to a pollybeak or pulling of the nose to one side.  In structured rhinoplasty cartilage grafts are not always predictable and can warp causing asymmetries.  Even in less invasive preservation endonasal approaches bone can grow back on the bridge creating a small dorsal hump.  Because Dr. Rubinstein uses approaches that preserve natural cartilage and bone, these revisions tend to be minor vs. patients he sees from other surgeons where over aggressive removal of cartilage and bone leads to nasal collapse requiring more drastic surgical correction.  It is for this reason that Dr. Rubinstein will not operate on out of town patients who are unwilling to follow up in person or via Zoom visits because many of these changes can be identified early on in the healing process and the need for revision can be averted by simple cortisone injections into the areas that are developing scar tissue or bone regrowth.

As long as your work does not involve heavy physical or heavy lifting, most patients return to work within the first week after their rhinoplasty.  Patients are increasingly working remotely.  They can return to work as early as 48 to 72 hours post surgery.

Understandably, patients are often eager to return to their regular activities and fitness routines. Low impact aerobic activity can be resumed after two weeks.  Glasses should not place pressure on the nasal bridge for six weeks.  For best results, Dr. Rubinstein recommends holding off on high-impact activities for up to six weeks to allow enough time for the healing process.

You will be able to see some of the results of your rhinoplasty in as little as 7 to 14 days. By six weeks 75% of the results are obtained especially on the bridge of the nose. The full effects, especially changes to the nasal tip, may take up to one year. Revision cases requiring extensive rebuilding with cartilage can take up to two years. Dr. Rubinstein will explain the expected results during the consultation.

Some parts of the surgery can be covered by insurance if there is a functional problem, such as a deviated septum or chronic sinusitis. Be weary of unscrupulous surgeons who offer to submit a significant portion of your surgery to insurance. Dr. Rubinstein participates as an out of network provider with insurance plans.  He has found that for most patients, incorporating the functional component into the cost of the rhinoplasty will be more cost effective vs. submitting to their insurance as they will incur copay and high deductible costs for their surgery, anesthesia and facility fees.  This can add up quickly, in the $ 1000’s!  Dr. Rubinstein will work with you so that you can overcome any potential financial hurdles.  He  offers affordable payment plans and interest free financing. His advice is to choose your surgeon wisely.  Don’t pick the most expensive or the cheapest surgeon.  Picking a celebrity surgeon because they have a million followers on Tick Tok or Instagram may not always be in your best interest.  Lastly, revision surgery can end up costing two to three times what was spent on the first rhinoplasty.