Rhinoplasty
Key Takeaways
Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose to improve appearance, breathing, or both, with techniques chosen based on your nasal anatomy and goals.
Open and closed rhinoplasty each have specific advantages, and the right approach depends on how much structural change your nose requires.
Rhinoplasty recovery involves noticeable swelling for several weeks and subtle refinement for up to a year, with activity restrictions to protect your results.
Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs rhinoplasty regularly and spends time on planning supports natural-looking, functional outcomes.
Mirror Plastic Surgery offers extended consultations and concierge-level care with Dr. Akash; schedule a rhinoplasty consultation to discuss your options.
What Sets Mirror Plastic Surgery Apart
Mirror Plastic Surgery follows a concierge medicine model that gives each patient dedicated time and attention. Consultations typically last up to one hour and include detailed discussion of your medical history, anatomy, and goals.
The practice prioritizes safety first, function second, and aesthetics third. This framework is especially important for rhinoplasty, because the nose affects both breathing and facial balance.
Mirror Plastic Surgery limits the schedule to one or two surgeries per day instead of many short cases. This structure allows the team to focus on your care before, during, and after surgery. Surgical planning relies on anatomical detail and established techniques tailored to your facial features.
Book an appointment with Dr. Akash to learn whether rhinoplasty is right for you.
Meet Dr. Akash: Your Rhinoplasty Specialist
Dr. Akash is a Harvard-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses on facial procedures, including rhinoplasty. He completed a fellowship in facial surgery at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, where he refined advanced nasal techniques, and a surgical residency at Johns Hopkins that included complex reconstructive work.
His background also includes a Stanford University Biodesign Innovation Fellowship and research in artificial intelligence for rhinoplasty planning. Recognition on national best-plastic-surgeon lists for multiple years reflects this combination of training and experience. Patients can expect clear communication, attention to ethnic and facial identity, and an emphasis on natural-looking changes.
Understanding Rhinoplasty: Anatomy and Techniques
The nose contains outer soft tissue, lower lateral (alar) cartilages, and a framework of bone and cartilage that support both breathing and appearance. These structures must work together for a stable, functional, and balanced nose. Effective rhinoplasty respects this three-dimensional anatomy rather than focusing only on the surface.
Choosing Between Open and Closed Rhinoplasty
Two main surgical approaches are used for rhinoplasty:
Open rhinoplasty uses a small incision on the columella, the tissue between the nostrils. This method improves visibility, precision of corrections, bleeding control, and graft placement.
Closed rhinoplasty relies on incisions hidden inside the nostrils. This approach avoids external scars and often suits mild to moderate refinements of the bridge or tip.
Dr. Akash selects the approach based on how much structural change is needed, the complexity of your nasal anatomy, and your preferences about scarring and downtime.
Ideal Candidates For Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty can help people who want a more balanced nose, easier breathing, or both. Common goals include:
Smoothing a dorsal hump or bump on the bridge
Narrowing a wide bridge or base
Refining a bulbous or drooping tip
Correcting noticeable asymmetry
Improving airflow with issues like a deviated septum
Cultural background and natural anatomy play a major role in planning, so Dr. Akash aims to maintain your unique features while improving proportion and function. Realistic expectations and good overall health are important for candidacy.
Expected Rhinoplasty Outcomes
Effective rhinoplasty creates a nose that suits your face and maintains or improves breathing*. Balanced proportions, symmetry, and preserved function are key goals. Possible changes include:
Refining or rotating the nasal tip
Reducing a hump on the bridge
Narrowing a wide bridge or nostrils
Improving alignment after prior trauma or deviation
Planning focuses on adjustments that look natural from all angles while supporting stable airflow through the nasal passages*.
How Mirror Plastic Surgery Plans Your Rhinoplasty
Your rhinoplasty process starts with a detailed consultation. Dr. Akash reviews your health history, examines your nasal structure inside and out, and discusses your goals. This visit often includes conversation about what you like and dislike about your profile, how you feel about your photos, and any breathing symptoms.
Advanced Planning Tools
Modern planning tools can support more precise surgery. Custom 3D-printed models created from scans give both surgeon and patient a clear, tactile view of the nose. These models can help explain what changes are realistic and which structures must remain stable for long-term function*.
Pre-Operative Preparation
Preparation helps reduce risks and support healing. Typical instructions include:
Avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen, and other medications or supplements that increase bleeding for about two weeks before surgery
Stopping smoking or nicotine use well in advance, because tobacco reduces blood flow and slows healing
Completing pre-operative photographs and measurements to guide the surgical plan and track progress
Book an appointment with Dr. Akash to receive a personalized preparation plan.
Rhinoplasty Recovery And Healing Timeline
Swelling after rhinoplasty tends to rise and fall in a non-linear way, which can make the early weeks feel unpredictable*. Knowing the stages ahead of time can reduce stress during recovery.
First 1–2 Weeks
Bruising and swelling usually peak around days three to four, then begin to improve. A nasal splint typically stays in place for about a week, and internal splints or packing may protect internal structures. Many patients feel ready to return to desk-based work in 7–10 days, although visible bruising may still be present.
Long-Term Healing
Most visible swelling improves within 4–6 weeks, yet finer definition, especially at the tip, can continue to evolve for up to 12–18 months*. Subtle changes in light reflection and contour are common over this time. Follow-up visits with Dr. Akash allow monitoring of healing and timely adjustments to aftercare.
Activity And Lifestyle Restrictions
Protecting the nose during healing is important. Typical guidelines include:
Avoiding heavy lifting, strenuous workouts, and contact sports for about 4–6 weeks
Delaying swimming or activities that risk nasal impact for at least 8 weeks
Limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen to reduce the risk of darker coloration along incisions
How To Choose A Surgeon And Avoid Common Pitfalls
Many concerns about rhinoplasty outcomes relate to unrealistic expectations or inexperienced providers. Board-certified plastic surgeons who perform rhinoplasty regularly tend to achieve more consistent, natural-looking results.
Comprehensive consultation plays a central role in safety and satisfaction. Practices that rush visits may miss individual anatomical differences or personal goals. At Mirror Plastic Surgery, the extended evaluation allows Dr. Akash to explain which techniques fit your case and why, so you understand the reasoning behind your plan.
Patients are encouraged to avoid surgeons who promise instant perfection, use high-pressure sales tactics, or recommend extensive add-on procedures without clear benefits. Quality rhinoplasty depends on careful planning, clear communication, and realistic timelines for healing.
Rhinoplasty Cost At Mirror Plastic Surgery
Rhinoplasty pricing varies based on anatomy, surgical complexity, and whether functional work such as septoplasty is needed. Each person receives an individualized quote after a full consultation rather than a one-size-fits-all price range.
Book an appointment with Dr. Akash for a detailed evaluation and a personalized treatment and pricing plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does rhinoplasty surgery typically take?
Most rhinoplasty procedures take about 2–4 hours. Shorter cases usually involve limited bridge or tip refinement, while more complex reshaping or combined procedures, such as septoplasty, can take longer. At Mirror Plastic Surgery, case length is based on what is needed for safe, precise work rather than speed.
Will rhinoplasty improve my breathing?
Rhinoplasty can improve breathing when structural issues contribute to blockage. Examples include a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or collapse of the nasal valves. During consultation, Dr. Akash evaluates internal structures and may recommend procedures such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction along with cosmetic changes to support airflow.
How visible will my rhinoplasty scars be?
Closed rhinoplasty uses only internal incisions, so no external scars are visible. Open rhinoplasty leaves a fine line across the columella, which usually fades and becomes hard to notice over time. Careful incision placement, delicate suturing, and proper scar care help reduce visibility in the long term.
Can rhinoplasty be combined with other facial procedures?
Rhinoplasty can be combined with select procedures, such as chin augmentation or eyelid surgery, when this approach is safe and appropriate. In some cases, staging procedures is safer and offers clearer recovery. Dr. Akash reviews the pros and cons of combining surgeries so you can choose an approach that balances goals with safety.
What makes Dr. Akash's approach to rhinoplasty distinct?
Training at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, along with innovation work at Stanford, shapes a technical and thoughtful approach to rhinoplasty. His experience with digital planning and artificial intelligence tools supports precise evaluation of nasal shape and proportions. Each plan emphasizes function, facial harmony, and preservation of your natural identity.
Book Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
Rhinoplasty at Mirror Plastic Surgery focuses on both appearance and breathing, with a plan designed around your facial features and goals. Patients receive one-on-one time with Dr. Akash, detailed education about options, and support throughout recovery*.
Contact Mirror Plastic Surgery to explore your options for nose surgery. Call 727-361-6515, email hello@mirrorplasticsurgery.com, or visit the office at 780 4th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. To get started online, request a rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Akash.
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.