The nose is probably the most distinguishing feature of the human face and the ability to perform safe surgery with aesthetically pleasing and natural, un-operated results is often considered to set apart the inexperienced from the highly skilled surgeon. Dr. Ptak enjoys performing these procedures on a regular basis with a high patient satisfaction rate and secondary revisions are rarely needed. He is often called on to perform not only the primary cosmetic nose reshaping but has performed hundreds of the most difficult and challenging reconstructions and corrections of unacceptable or poorly performed procedures. It is Dr. Ptak's philosophy that virtually every cosmetic nasal reshaping can be safely accomplished without any visible scar, and that a very natural, un-operated and functional result is his ultimate goal.

Anyone who feels their nose is cosmetically unattractive or out of balance or harmony with other facial features. Anyone who has an abnormal appearance of the nose as a result of birth defects, injury, or disease.

The procedure is done on an outpatient basis under sedation with local or general anesthesia. The incisions are usually made inside the nostrils and only rarely extend into the visible skin of the nose. The nasal bones, cartilage, and soft tissues are reshaped to improve the external contour. During surgery the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework. When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints may be placed in your nostrils to stabilize the septum, the dividing wall between air passages. Large nostrils may be reduced through tiny incisions at the outer base of the nostrils. Occasionally, internal airway correction and reshaping of the nasal septum and turbinates can be safely done to improve breathing.

Most patients experience minimal discomfort directly after surgery because of the use of long-acting local (injected) anesthetic solutions in and around the nasal tissues. The patient goes home with an external cast or splint in place. The nose may be packed for 24-48 hours. The cast or splint is usually removed in 7-10 days. Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or sedentary work a week or so following surgery. It will be several weeks, however, before you're entirely up to speed.

Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. The majority of swelling and bruising subsides progressively over 2-4 weeks. Early results are evident in three months, but the final result takes 12-14 months which is the time necessary for complete tissue softening and reshrinking at the tip.

An additional procedure that may enhance the result is a Chin Enlargement.