Rhinoplasty at a Glance

Nose reshaping continues to be one of the most requested facial procedures in the country. In 2025, surgeons performed 43,116 rhinoplasty procedures, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 

What Happens During Rhinoplasty Surgery?

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. At Summit Plastic Surgery, rhinoplasty is performed in a surgical facility, and the type of anesthesia (general, or in some cases IV sedation) is confirmed with you ahead of time based on your plan and health history.

Rhinoplasty Techniques and When They’re Used

Once you are comfortable and ready for the procedure, Dr. Corey will remove and refine various tissues within the nose depending on your goals. In a closed approach, incisions sit entirely inside the nostrils, so there is no visible external scar. In an open approach, a small incision is added across the columella, the narrow strip of skin between the nostrils, which heals to a fine line that is difficult to notice once settled.

In either case, Dr. Corey will design the treatment around what you’re looking to achieve, including smoothing over a hump on the bridge of the nose or refining and supporting the tip of the nose. 

Other common techniques include:

• Narrowing the overall structure of the nose
• Straightening the nose
• Adjusting the angle between the nose and the upper lip
• Making changes to the septum (this and other techniques can improve breathing in some cases)

Surgery Time and Early Aftercare

Plan on roughly two to four hours in surgery, with more detailed or revision cases running longer. When the procedure ends, a lightweight splint is placed on the outside of the nose to protect and support the new shape while it heals, and soft internal support is sometimes used as well. 

Because rhinoplasty is a same-day procedure, you will rest in recovery for a short while before heading home with someone to drive you. You will leave with clear aftercare instructions, and keeping your head elevated in those first days helps minimize swelling and bruising.

What Are the Different Types of Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is really a family of procedures, rather than a single surgery that looks similar in every case. The right approach for you comes down to your goals, your anatomy and whether you have had nasal surgery before. We’ve already briefly compared open vs. closed approaches. The categories below more broadly describe the overall goal of the procedure.

Cosmetic (aesthetic) rhinoplasty focuses on appearance, refining features like a dorsal hump, a wide or bulbous tip, nostril size or overall balance so the nose suits the rest of your face.

Functional rhinoplasty addresses breathing rather than looks. When a deviated septum or other structural issue is obstructing airflow, a septoplasty or septorhinoplasty can be performed to open things up. Many functional rhinoplasty patients choose to address cosmetic concerns within the same procedure.

Revision rhinoplasty is a corrective procedure for patients who are unhappy with the result of a previous nose surgery, or whose earlier surgery left them with breathing or structural concerns. These cases tend to be more complex, since the surgeon is working with tissue and structures that have already been altered. Dr. Corey is highly experienced in revision face surgery and will work with you to restore the results you were looking for. 

How Can I Know if I’m a Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Meeting with Dr. Corey for an evaluation is the best way to confirm whether rhinoplasty is right for you, but it also helps to know the concerns this procedure is designed to address.

People pursue rhinoplasty for a wide range of reasons, including, but not limited to:

• Isolated aesthetic concerns (bump on the bridge, drooping tip, etc.)
• General aesthetic concerns, such as a nose that is too large for the face
• Improper healing from an old injury or procedure
• Breathing difficulties

Good candidates for rhinoplasty are in good overall health, are nonsmokers or willing to quit for the surgery, and have realistic, clearly defined goals for what they want to change. Because the nose finishes developing in the mid-to-late teens, surgeons typically wait until facial growth is complete before performing a cosmetic rhinoplasty.

During your evaluation, Dr. Corey will look at how your nose relates to your chin, your brow and the rest of your face, and he will give you an honest recommendation, even if that means suggesting a different or additional step to achieve the balance you are looking for.

Can Rhinoplasty Be Combined With Other Procedures?

Yes. Rhinoplasty pairs naturally with several other procedures, and many patients choose to combine treatments for a more harmonious, balanced result than treating any one feature in isolation.

For patients whose concerns go beyond the nose, rhinoplasty can be part of a broader facial plan. A facelift addresses the lower face and jawline, a brow lift raises a heavy or low brow, and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) refreshes tired-looking upper or lower lids. Whether these are combined in one surgical session or staged over time depends on your goals, your anatomy and your recovery preferences.

Nonsurgical treatments like Botox and dermal fillers can also fine-tune your facial harmony and soften other areas of concern after a rhinoplasty. As a member of the Advisory Board with Allergan Aesthetics, Dr. Corey is well-versed in how surgical and nonsurgical treatments work together, so he can map out a sequence that makes sense for your goals and your calendar.

What Do I Have to Do to Prepare for Rhinoplasty?

As with any procedure, the goal to keep in mind when preparing for rhinoplasty is to give your body what it needs to support the healing process as effectively as possible. This means planning ahead, pausing a few habits if applicable and setting up your support system for the early days of recovery. This looks different for every person. 

You may be asked to pause certain supplements and medications before the procedure. As mentioned, smokers need to quit for at least several weeks prior to surgery, since smoking impairs the healing process. Dr. Corey will determine and clearly communicate your pre-operative guidelines as part of the evaluation and planning process. 

Preparing for Early Recovery

You will need a ride home from the procedure, and having someone you trust to stay with you for at least the first night will be helpful. Set up an area where you can relax with your head elevated, such as a recliner arranged with pillows, and keep your medications and cold compresses within arm’s reach. If you usually wear glasses, be prepared to go without them for a while, as they may put too much pressure on the bridge of your nose during early recovery. 

If you have questions about medications, the recovery timeline or anything else about the post-op experience, the care team at Summit Plastic Surgery is here to help.

Why Choose Summit Plastic Surgery for Rhinoplasty?

Few procedures test a surgeon’s eye the way rhinoplasty does. A change of mere millimeters can shift the balance of the entire face, which is why you shouldn’t settle for anyone less than an expert in this complicated procedure. Dr. Corey’s facial reconstructive surgery experience and credentials speak precisely to the level of expertise you need for results that look great the first time. 

Dr. Corey completed his fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Louisville, following a general surgery residency at Mercer University in Savannah, Georgia, and medical school at Indiana University. He practices today as a double board-certified plastic surgeon centered on the face, with aesthetic and revision surgery among his core strengths. 

What people tend to remember from a first visit is Dr. Corey’s emphasis on listening first. He approaches every case as unique and will tell you plainly what surgery can and cannot deliver. His goal is to provide exactly the results you’re envisioning versus a templated outcome that won’t harmonize with the rest of your face. 

Schedule Your Rhinoplasty Consultation Today

If you are curious whether rhinoplasty is right for you, Dr. Corey of Summit Plastic Surgery in Fort Wayne is here to talk through what a balanced, natural-looking result could look like.

Schedule a consultation, and we will work with you to plan a procedure that delivers results you will love.