Asian Rhinoplasty
Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, GA
Rhinoplasty is often performed to create harmony and symmetry between the facial features, resulting in an improved overall appearance. Asian rhinoplasty aims to achieve the same goals while taking the Asian facial structure into account. Dr. Walker in Atlanta, GA, recognizes that Asian rhinoplasties should have a different approach than Caucasian rhinoplasties, and he aims to create natural-looking outcomes while maintaining the integrity of your ethnic background. Walker MD Facial Plastic Surgery is 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.
What is an Asian Rhinoplasty?
Although generalizations are often difficult to make and should be avoided, Asian Rhinoplasty refers to the operation that alters the shape of clients of Southeast Asian descent. In Asian rhinoplasty, rather than reducing the size of the nose by taking off a hump that is often done in Caucasians or patients of Middle Eastern descent, the nasal bridge typically needs to be augmented to create a more refined, delicate, and narrow appearance. It also helps Asian clients to wear glasses or sunglasses, which is often challenging with a low nasal profile. This requires material to build up the bridge, which can be done through filler injections (non-surgical rhinoplasty) or surgically using cartilage from the patient’s own body (septum, ear, or rib). There are various surgical techniques to build up the nasal bridge, and Dr. Walker often performs the DCF (diced cartilage fascia) technique, where your own cartilage is diced into very fine pieces and wrapped into a thin layer of fascia that’s harvested from behind the ear to achieve the smoothest possible result.
What Are the Benefits of an Asian Rhinoplasty?
Asian rhinoplasty offers several unique benefits tailored specifically to the anatomical and aesthetic goals of patients of East Asian descent. This procedure focuses on enhancing nasal bridge height, refining tip definition, and improving overall nasal harmony, while preserving the patient’s ethnic identity and natural facial balance. Because many Asian patients have a low nasal bridge, thicker skin, and weaker cartilage support, the surgery often involves structural enhancement using grafts to create a more defined yet natural-looking contour. Beyond cosmetic improvement, functional benefits, including better airflow, can also be achieved, especially when paired with septoplasty or other breathing-related procedures.
Who Are the Best Candidates For an Asian Rhinoplasty?
Men and women alike of Asian descent who are unhappy with the look of their nose may be able to benefit from an Asian 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.
Asian rhinoplasty can help improve the nose in many ways, including:
- Building up the bridge of your nose.
- Decrease the size of the nostrils.
- Narrow the nasal width.
- Increase the projection of the nose.
- Add height to a flat nose.
- Refine the tip of the nose.
What’s the First Step?
Schedule a personalized consultation with our board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and rhinoplasty expert, Dr. Walker. During your visit with him, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your aesthetic goals, review your medical history, and have your nose carefully examined from both a cosmetic and functional perspective. He will use imaging and digital simulations to help you visualize potential results and guide the conversation around what’s surgically possible based on your anatomy. This consultation is also your chance to ask questions or express concerns, ensuring you’re fully informed and confident before moving forward.
What to Expect on the Day of Asian Rhinoplasty Surgery
The Asian Rhinoplasty procedure is customized to produce the best possible results for each client. Dr. Walker’s experience as a skilled rhinoplasty surgeon in Atlanta allows him to improve the appearance of the nose to balance it with your natural facial features. This outpatient surgery is highly individualized, and the exact techniques Dr. Walker will choose differ from patient to patient. However, rhinoplasty techniques generally include an open approach, with a closed approach being possible in select cases. During an open rhinoplasty, a small incision will be created on the columella at the bottom of your nose between the nostrils. Dr. Walker will utilize cartilage grafts from your nasal septum or a secondary donor site, depending on what is best for you, to create the desired shape and thereby improve your nasal breathing as well. If the nasal bridge needs to be built up, as is usually the case in patients of Asian descent, 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.
Asian Rhinoplasty Recovery
Asian 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 Asian 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 Asian 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 Asian 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 Asian Rhinoplasty Cost in Atlanta, GA?
The cost of an Asian Rhinoplasty in Atlanta varies depending on the complexity of the procedure, the surgeon’s expertise, and whether additional functional corrections like septoplasty are needed. Because Asian rhinoplasty often involves specialized techniques, such as cartilage harvest from the rib with grafting, to enhance bridge height and tip definition while maintaining ethnic harmony, it’s important to choose a surgeon experienced in these approaches. A detailed consultation is the best way to get a personalized estimate based on your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.
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
Interested in learning more about Asian rhinoplasty and how it can enhance your natural features? We encourage you to contact our Atlanta office to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Walker. During this first step in your journey, you’ll have the chance to share your aesthetic goals, while Dr. Walker takes the time to understand your vision and design a customized treatment plan to help bring it to life.
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.
Asian 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.