Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) in Chicago, IL
Conveniently Located to Serve Chicago, Glenview, Oakbrook, Illinois & Munster, Indiana
Jump To
While many people think of a “nose job” as purely cosmetic, rhinoplasty can also address breathing concerns and structural issues that affect nasal function. At Rush Facial Plastics in Chicago, our double board-certified facial plastic surgeons provide cosmetic and functional nasal surgery with a focus on the face, head, and neck.
Whether you want to address changes from a sports injury, improve a lifelong breathing concern, or refine your profile, our surgeons focus on natural-looking results that support both nasal appearance and airflow.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose to address cosmetic concerns, breathing issues, or both. It may involve refining the bridge, improving nasal tip definition, adjusting nasal symmetry, or correcting structural issues that affect airflow.
For patients with functional concerns, rhinoplasty may be combined with septoplasty or other techniques to improve nasal breathing. For patients with cosmetic goals, the procedure is planned around the nose, facial proportions, and the patient’s desired outcome.
Our surgeons use morphing software and 3-dimensional imaging to better understand your goals, explain possible changes, and select an approach that fits your anatomy.
Benefits of Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty may improve the appearance, structure, and function of the nose. Depending on your anatomy and goals, benefits may include:
- Improved Facial Balance: Refining the bridge, tip, or nostrils may help the nose look more proportional to the rest of the face
- Better Nasal Breathing: Functional correction may address a deviated septum or other internal obstructions that affect airflow
- Natural-Looking Results: Surgical planning focuses on changes that fit your facial features while maintaining nasal support
- Improved Nasal Symmetry: Rhinoplasty may address concerns with a crooked nose, midline alignment, or asymmetrical nasal shape
- Correction After Injury or Prior Surgery: Surgery may help restore nasal structure after trauma or address concerns from a previous procedure
Conditions Rhinoplasty May Address
Rhinoplasty may be recommended for cosmetic, functional, or both. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate the outside of your nose and the breathing passages to determine which concerns can be addressed safely and effectively.
Common reasons patients consider rhinoplasty include:
- A dorsal hump: A bump along the bridge of the nose that affects the side profile
- A drooping or undefined nasal tip: Tip concerns that may make the nose appear less proportionate
- A crooked or asymmetrical nose: Nasal shape concerns caused by genetics, injury, or prior surgery
- Wide nostrils or nasal width concerns: Changes that may help improve facial proportions
- Breathing difficulties: Functional concerns related to internal nasal structure
- Prior rhinoplasty concerns: Cosmetic or functional issues after a previous nose surgery
Good Candidates for Rhinoplasty
Determining if you are a good candidate for a nose job involves a thorough evaluation of your health, anatomy, and goals. During a rhinoplasty consultation in Chicago, our surgeons will review your medical history and physical characteristics to determine whether surgery is the right option for you.
Good candidates for rhinoplasty may include patients who:
- Have completed facial growth: Rhinoplasty is typically considered once the nose and facial features have fully developed
- Are in good overall health: Healthy patients are generally better prepared for surgery and recovery
- Do not smoke or are willing to stop: Avoiding tobacco before and after surgery helps support proper healing
- Have realistic goals: Surgery may improve the shape or function of the nose, but it cannot create perfection
- Have cosmetic or functional concerns: Candidates may want to address nasal shape, breathing difficulties, or both
- Are adults across a wide age range: Patients in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond may still be good candidates if they are healthy and have appropriate goals
Types of Rhinoplasty Offered
Rush Facial Plastics offers several rhinoplasty options depending on the patient’s anatomy, goals, and whether the concern is cosmetic, functional, reconstructive, or related to a previous surgery. Your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate approach after evaluating your nose, breathing, and desired results.
- Open Rhinoplasty: A traditional approach that uses a small incision across the columella, the tissue between the nostrils, to give the surgeon greater visibility for more complex reshaping
- Closed or Endonasal Rhinoplasty: A technique performed through incisions inside the nostrils, which may be appropriate for select patients who need more limited changes
- Ethnically Sensitive Rhinoplasty: An approach that refines the nose while respecting features that are meaningful to a patient’s identity
- Revision Rhinoplasty: A secondary procedure for patients who have cosmetic or functional concerns after a prior rhinoplasty
- Functional Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty: Procedures that may help address breathing concerns related to internal nasal structure
Rhinoplasty Before and After Photos
Before-and-after photos can help patients understand the type of changes rhinoplasty may create while keeping expectations realistic. Check out Rush Facial Plastics’ rhinoplasty photo gallery to review examples of surgical results before scheduling a consultation.
The Rhinoplasty Procedure
Rhinoplasty may be performed using an open or closed approach, depending on the patient’s anatomy and surgical goals. Our surgeons use these techniques to address the nasal bridge, nasal tip, and internal structures that may affect breathing.
During surgery, the skin is carefully lifted or accessed through internal incisions so the underlying bone and cartilage can be reshaped. For patients who need additional structural support, the surgeon may use cartilage grafting techniques to reinforce the nasal framework. This may be especially important in cases involving trauma, breathing concerns, or secondary revision surgery.
Once the adjustments are complete, the skin is redraped, and small sutures are placed to support healing. The procedure is performed under sedation or general anesthesia for patient comfort.
What to Expect During Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
During your rhinoplasty consultation, you will meet with your surgeon and have a chance to explain your concerns and goals. Your surgeon will help determine which treatment option best suits your anatomy, breathing needs, and desired outcome.
Your consultation may include a review of your overall health, prior surgeries, medications, allergies, tobacco history, and other factors that may affect surgery or recovery. Your surgeon will also examine the outside of your nose and your breathing passages.
Photographs may be taken and used during the consultation or at a later visit to create morphed images. These images can help clarify your goals and support a more informed surgical discussion.
Your surgeon will also review the procedure, anesthesia, expected recovery, possible risks, and alternative options so you have the information needed to make a confident decision.
How to Prepare for Rhinoplasty
You will receive detailed pre-operative instructions before your procedure. These instructions are personalized to your health, surgical plan, and recovery needs.
Before surgery, patients are typically advised to:
- Review medications and supplements: Your surgeon will let you know if any medications or supplements should be paused before surgery
- Avoid tobacco products: Smoking can affect healing and should be avoided before and after surgery, as instructed
- Plan for transportation: You will need a responsible adult to take you home after surgery
- Prepare for early recovery: Arrange time away from work, school, strenuous activity, and social plans while the initial swelling and bruising improve
- Follow all pre-operative instructions: These may include guidance about eating, drinking, medications, and arrival time
Rhinoplasty Recovery Timeline
After your procedure, post-operative instructions will be reviewed with you, necessary medications may be prescribed, and the Rush Facial Plastics team will check in with you throughout your recovery. A general rhinoplasty recovery timeline may include:
| Recovery Timeline | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 7 | Most patients have tapes and a cast over the nose for 5 to 7 days. Many patients stay home from work or school during this early healing period. |
| After the First Week | Your surgeon will remove dressings and check your healing. Many patients return to light daily activities after the initial recovery period. |
| Around 2 Weeks | Swelling is usually much less noticeable, though the nose will continue to heal. |
| Several Months | Subtle swelling continues to improve gradually. |
| 12 to 18 Months | Final rhinoplasty results commonly continue to develop over this period. Revision cases may take longer. |
Cost of Rhinoplasty in Chicago
The overall cost of rhinoplasty may be affected by anesthesia fees, facility fees, medical testing, surgeon’s fees, medications, and the techniques used during surgery.
Because rhinoplasty varies based on surgical complexity, functional needs, revision history, and the approach used, the most accurate way to understand pricing is to schedule a consultation. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is typically not covered by insurance, while functional or reconstructive concerns may require a separate review based on the patient’s plan and medical needs.
Why Choose Rush Facial Plastics for Your Rhinoplasty
Choosing a rhinoplasty surgeon requires more than reviewing credentials alone. Because the nose affects both facial appearance and breathing, it is important to work with a team that understands nasal structure, facial balance, and functional anatomy. Rush Facial Plastics offers:
- Double Board-Certified Surgeons: The Rush Facial Plastics team includes physicians with advanced training in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology
- Face and Neck Experts: The practice only provides face and neck treatments, allowing the team to focus on this specialized area
- Extensive Surgical Experience: The practice notes 37 years of combined experience in facial procedures and surgery, with more than 700 surgical procedures performed annually
- Advanced Technology: Morphing software and 3-dimensional imaging are used to help clarify goals and support surgical planning
Highly-Recommended
One of the best physicians I have ever seen. Took the time to explain in detail the reasons for my symptoms. Explained in detail the procedures we would do. Highly-recommended.
Schedule Your Chicago Rhinoplasty Consultation
If you are ready to explore rhinoplasty options, the Rush Facial Plastics team can help you understand which surgical or non-surgical approach may be right for your goals. Contact our double board-certified facial plastic surgeons to discuss your nasal appearance, breathing concerns, and treatment options.
Rush Facial Plastics serves rhinoplasty patients in Chicago, Aurora, Oak Brook, and nearby Illinois communities. To schedule your consultation, call 312.563.7000 or request an appointment online.
