African American Rhinoplasty
Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, GA
A rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure done to enhance your facial harmony and nose proportions. This procedure is very popular and is performed on clients of a wide age range. Rhinoplasty can treat many irregularities of the nose, including:
- Nose size.
- Nose width at the bridge and nostrils.
- Profile of the nose with visible humps on the bridge.
- An enlarged nasal tip.
- Large, upturned, or wide nostrils.
- Nasal asymmetry.
Rhinoplasty can also be performed to correct a deviated septum, a condition in which the nasal septum is crooked or off-center, causing difficulty breathing.
What is Rhinoplasty
A rhinoplasty, also referred to as a “nose job”, is a cosmetic procedure done to reshape your nose to enhance your facial harmony while optimizing nasal airflow. This procedure is very popular and is performed on clients of a wide age range, starting as young as a teenager. Rhinoplasty can address many nasal problems, including:
- Size of the nose.
- Dorsal hump, nasal bridge height, and width.
- Crooked nose.
- Bulbous tip.
- Nasal tip size, rotation, and projection.
- Nostril size, width, and shape.
- Amorphous nasal shape.
- Alar-columellar relationship.
- Nasal asymmetry.
- Nasal obstruction.
As part of rhinoplasty, Dr. Walker corrects a deviated septum, if present, in which the nasal septum is crooked or off-center, contributing to difficulty breathing. Nasal valve collapse correction, inferior turbinate reduction, and septal perforation repair are commonly performed with a rhinoplasty. Dr. Walker can adjust any nasal structure to produce proper alignment for easier breathing, which often leads to decreased snoring, increased exercise tolerance, less frequent dry throats, and improved quality of life.
What is an African American Rhinoplasty?
Noses in individuals of African descent tend to have thicker skin and a wider nasal base with flared nostrils. It is vital to take these factors into account during African American rhinoplasty to ensure natural-looking results. There are special techniques that Dr. Walker uses to refine the nose, make it slimmer and more pointed, without compromising nasal breathing. In fact, Dr. Walker’s goal in every single nasal surgery is not just to improve the cosmetic appearance of your nose but also to improve your nasal breathing, even if you do not (or think you do not) have any breathing issues. Very commonly, patients return after the operation stating that their breathing has improved significantly, although they thought they never had any breathing issues.
What Are the Benefits of an African American Rhinoplasty?
A huge benefit of an African American rhinoplasty is that this technique maintains one’s beautiful and unique ethnic features, deviating from the traditional nose, if that even exists, often associated with traditional rhinoplasty techniques. The reason this is beneficial is that for those of African descent, maintaining your unique features while correcting other concerns like crookedness or asymmetry allows the results to remain in perfect harmony with the rest of your face and ethnicity. In any rhinoplasty, we do not strive to create a different nose but rather enhance and perfect the nose that you have, matching the rest of your face.
Who Are the Best Candidates For an African American Rhinoplasty?
Men and women alike of African descent who are unhappy with the look of their nose may be able to benefit from an African American rhinoplasty procedure. The best candidates in Atlanta are in good physical health, are non-smokers, and have realistic expectations for the results of their surgery.
African American rhinoplasty can help improve the nose in many ways, including:
- Building up the bridge of your nose.
- Reduce a dorsal hump.
- Decrease or increase the size of the nose.
- Narrow the nasal width.
- Increase the projection of the nose.
- Add height to a flat nose.
- Refine the tip of the nose.
- Narrow the nostrils.
What’s the First Step?
To start your rhinoplasty journey, you’ll first want to speak with a highly experienced Facial Plastic Surgeon who is an absolute specialist in rhinoplasty, including African American rhinoplasty. During this consultation in Dr. Walker’s Atlanta office, he will work with you one-on-one to listen to your goals, your questions, and your concerns, while also closely reviewing your medical history and facial anatomy. With this information, Dr. Walker will be able to develop a surgical plan that aligns with your goals and ensures that you feel completely comfortable and confident before moving forward. From there, you will receive information on how to prepare for surgery and what to expect during recovery. When you’re ready, your pre-operative and surgical dates will be scheduled.
What to Expect on the Day of African American Rhinoplasty Surgery
African American rhinoplasty is not a one-size-fits-all procedure, as African American noses are very heterogeneous and come in all sizes, shapes, and forms, depending on the Ethnic heritage, with specific characteristics that require specialized knowledge and experience to shape the nose. For instance, individuals of Nigerian ancestry tend to have very different nasal shapes than individuals of Ethiopian descent, with the former exhibiting thicker nasal skin, low bridges, and wider nostrils, while the latter exhibiting thinner skin with dorsal humps. The approach is therefore quite different and tailored to each patient. As a leading double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Walker will take your facial structure and personal aesthetic goals into consideration during your rhinoplasty for natural-looking results that are in alignment with your face and ethnic background.
African American rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. A small incision is typically made on the bottom of your nose (columella) between your nostrils. Dr. Walker will utilize cartilage grafts from your nasal septum or a secondary donor site, such as the ear or rib, if necessary, to create the desired shape and also improve your nasal breathing. If the nasal bridge needs to be built up, Dr. Walker typically uses rib cartilage, where your own cartilage (or from a tissue bank if desired) is used, to give strength and support to your nose. Once Dr. Walker has sculpted the underlying nasal structure to the desired shape, your nasal skin will be redraped, and incisions will be closed using sutures.
Before & After Results
African American Rhinoplasty Recovery
African American rhinoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis, where you will go home the day of your surgery under the care of a responsible adult family member or friend. The recovery from African American rhinoplasty occurs in various stages. There is an initial 1- to 2-week period during which the bruising (if present) subsides and the nasal external and internal swelling improves, resulting in improved airflow. This is what is considered the social life downtime period (2-3 weeks). The nasal cast and sutures will be removed one week after your procedure. Most clients experience some discomfort for the first couple of days, which most patients can control easily with Tylenol, although some prescription pain medication is prescribed to you in case you do experience some discomfort. You are encouraged to rest during the first week and to adhere to Dr. Walker’s thorough post-operative instructions, including a low-sodium diet, avoidance of strenuous activities, no nose-blowing, no straining with bowel movements, and avoidance of coughing if possible.
This is followed by a 4- to 6-week period of continued swelling resolution during which strenuous activities, sweating, and salt/sodium intake are discouraged. The post-surgical period is almost over, and the detailed post-operative results are starting to become more apparent. There is still residual swelling on the nose, and this will change from day to day. Some days, the nose will look better than others, as the swelling continues to go up and down. This is especially true in individuals with thick nasal skin, which is not uncommon in individuals of African descent. The residual swelling is starting to decrease from top to bottom. The top of the nose (bridge) is looking more refined. Strenuous activities may be resumed after 4-6 weeks.
By the 3-month mark at the latest, you have gotten used to the new facial aesthetic that your African American rhinoplasty has given you. Generally, most of the visible changes will have occurred by then, although it really takes a year or so for the final nasal shape to be present. Most clients no longer feel self-conscious about their nose after 4-6 weeks and are ready for their wedding photos to be taken after about 2-3 months. The tip of the nose is usually the last area to completely “heal.” There may still be a small amount of fullness in this area after 3-6 months. Dr. Walker will closely monitor your healing throughout the recovery process with regular follow-up visits.
You will be able to enjoy the full final results after about 2-5 years, depending on the skin thickness, but near final results after 3-6 months.
How Much Does an African American Rhinoplasty Cost in Atlanta, GA?
The cost of an African American Rhinoplasty in Atlanta can vary based on the complexity of the procedure, the surgeon’s experience, and whether structural or functional corrections are also being addressed. Because African American rhinoplasty often involves preserving ethnic identity while refining nasal shape, it’s crucial to work with a surgeon who specializes in ethnic rhinoplasty and understands the unique characteristics of thicker skin and nasal structure. A consultation is the best way to receive a personalized quote based on your anatomy, goals, and surgical plan.
Why Choose Dr. Walker?
Expertise in rhinoplasty requires training, experience, anatomical knowledge, patience, meticulousness, and excellent technical skills. Having trained under one of the most renowned nose experts in the world, Dr. Dean Toriumi, in Chicago, Dr. Walker is widely recognized as one of the finest rhinoplasty surgeons in the Southeastern United States and the entire nation. Many of Dr. Walker’s patients travel across state lines and internationally from overseas to seek Dr. Walker’s rhinoplasty expertise. He has exceptional qualifications and has based his career upon delivering consistently excellent results in primary and very complex tertiary rhinoplasty surgeries.
He is known for individualizing his surgical plans for every patient and for his artistry in the operating room. He will spend as much time as needed to deliver the best possible result to every patient. From the initial consultation to the surgical procedure, Dr. Walker is devoted to giving as much time as is necessary to meet and hopefully exceed all of his patients’ expectations. He follows his patients long-term (months to years) to ensure they achieve the best possible long-term outcome. Although rarely necessary, an early in-office intervention such as steroid injections, needle shave, or other small interventions can prevent the need for revision surgery down the line.
Schedule Your
Consultation
Curious about African American rhinoplasty and how it can help you achieve your aesthetic goals? We invite you to contact our Atlanta office to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Walker. This is the first step in your personalized journey, where you’ll discuss your vision and what matters most to you. Dr. Walker takes the time to understand your unique background, medical history, and cosmetic goals, to ensure your treatment plan is thoughtfully tailored to enhance your natural beauty while honoring your individuality.
WalkerMD Facial Plastic Surgery is conveniently located 10 minutes from Buckhead, 12 minutes from Brookhaven, 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta, and 30 minutes from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – the world’s busiest airport by passenger count.
African American Rhinoplasty FAQ’S
Schedule a Consultation
To discuss your facial plastic surgery options with Dr. Walker, please schedule a consultation. For your comfort and safety, if you are unable to meet in out Atlanta office, we are currently offering secure telehealth appointments.