Rhinoplasty in Santa Barbara at Cosmetic Surgery Center

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Rhinoplasty – commonly referred to as a “Nose Job” – can be done to help with the appearance of a nose and can also address obstructive airway problems. A person’s nose is one of the most prominent features on the face – it should look good and function well.

Rhinoplasty can alter both the profile and frontal views. It can:

  • Refine a bulbous tip
  • Narrow a wide nose
  • Straighten a crooked nose
  • And/or remove an unwanted bump

Along with helping the appearance, nasal surgery can also address function (such as a deviated septum or bone spurs) if needed.

At Cosmetic Surgery Center, we perform the majority of nasal surgeries with a closed technique that hides the incisions inside the nose. The external shape can be corrected or changed by altering the bone, cartilage and soft tissue underneath the skin, allowing for a more ideal relationship among the parts.

Most people are relieved to hear that general anesthesia is not needed. A combination of local anesthesia, oral and intravenous sedation keeps the patient comfortable and unaware. After surgery pain in usually minimal and can easily be controlled with oral medications. An external dressing is in place for one week after surgery. Most patients return to work in 7 to 10 days and can resume exercise after 3 weeks. Swelling subsides within the first 2 months. Subtle refinement continues to appear as time passes and final results will be seen about 1 year after surgery.

Rhinoplasty is not usually performed until a person has reached the late teenage years when growth is nearly complete. It can be done in conjunction with a chin or cheek augmentation to improve overall balance.

View some of our nasal surgery before and after photos here.

Call the Cosmetic Surgery Center at 805-563-0000 to schedule a consultation for Rhinoplasty (nasal surgery) in Santa Barbara, CA.

Rhinoplasty Nose Surgery in Santa Barbara: Cosmetic Surgery Highlight

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Rhinoplasty (nasal surgery) is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries done.  Rhinoplasty can dramatically change the appearance of the face (from a frontal view as well as the profile) and can change the function of the nose. People seek rhinoplasty for various reasons: to refine a bulbous tip, narrow a wide now, straighten a crooked nose, and/or remove an unwanted bump. If necessary, Dr. Perkins can also correct obstructive airway problems, such as a deviated septum or bone spurs, at the same time.

How is rhinoplasty done?
Nasal surgery can be performed as an open or closed procedure.  The open procedure will leave a small external scar.  At Cosmetic Surgery Center, the majority of surgeries that Dr. Perkins performs are the closed technique which allow incisions to be hidden inside the nose.

What is a good age for rhinoplasty?
Surgery on the nose is best when a person is in their late teens (or older) as the nose has likely finished its growing phase by then.  This leads to a more desirable result.

Is rhinoplasty done under general anesthesia?
A combination of local anesthesia, oral, and intravenous sedation keeps the patient comfortable and unaware.  General anesthesia is not needed.

What happens after a rhinoplasty surgery?
Immediately after surgery there will be minimal pain that is controlled with oral medication.  Some stuffiness is also experienced, similar to a mild cold. There is seldom a need for nasal packing, but an external dressing is in place for the first week.

How much recovery time is there after the nose surgery?
Patients of Dr. Perkins usually return to work at 7 to 10 days post surgery.  Light walking, stationary bicycle and treadmill are allowed after a few days.  Aerobic exercising may be gradually resumed after three weeks.  The majority of the swelling subsides within the first two months, but the final results will take about a year to be fully realized.

See more before-and-after pictures of rhinoplasty nasal surgery patients by on the Cosmetic Surgery Center website.  All pictures are actual patients of Dr. Perkins.


Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Terry J. Perkins, MD, specializes in facial cosmetic surgery and liposuction. Contact his office at 805-563-0000.