Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) in Chattanooga

The nose embodies “form and function.” It’s an important feature of your appearance, affecting your facial symmetry and balance. At the same time, your nose is responsible for your breathing. You may want your nose to look good, but it is also important for it to work properly. An expert in sculpture rhinoplasty, Dr. Shire creates a nose to fit the face and improve functionality. His nose job technique and years of experience allow him to provide predictable, aesthetically pleasing rhinoplasty results.

Unsurprisingly, nose job surgery, or rhinoplasty surgery, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. With the vital role that the nose plays in terms of both your appearance and overall health, it’s important to have one that makes you happy. While not everybody is lucky enough to be born with the perfect nose, procedures like rhinoplasty give you the opportunity to achieve a nose that’s natural, permanent, and looks like the one you have always thought you should have. If you are considering nose job surgery in Chattanooga, TN Shire Facial Plastic Surgery is your best choice!

Rhinoplasty Surgery Before and After Photos

What is Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)?

Rhinoplasty, or nose job surgery, is a procedure that involves reshaping and restructuring the nose to make it fit the patient’s face while looking natural and not altered.

Rhinoplasty can serve cosmetic or reconstructive purposes; people have undergone a nose job to enhance their facial symmetry, correct an injury or birth defect, ease chronic breathing problems, and more. With 30 years of experience in nose job surgery, Dr. Shire is a qualified and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who is trained to handle different types of nasal problems that arise. In the hands of Dr. Shire, many patients emerge from a rhinoplasty with more confidence in their looks, improved health, and better quality of life overall.

What Can Rhinoplasty Surgery Do?

Here are just some of the results that can be achieved through rhinoplasty surgery:

  • Improve the airway for better breathing
  • Achieve proportion by removing humps
  • Narrow an overly rounded nose tip
  • Straighten a nose left crooked by an injury
  • Reposition nose to correct droopy tip
  • Improve appearance and size of nose

It’s important to understand, however, that a nose job is not a magic bullet. It can certainly be a life-enhancing decision, but potential nose job surgery patients must take care to have realistic expectations. Every patient is treated individually based on their situation. Since everyone is different, no two rhinoplasty procedures are the same. The possibilities available from a nose job vary according to one’s initial circumstances and goals, and it’s best to consult with Dr. Shire to see what options will work best with your features.

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Based on 52 reviews
Mariah Dahl
Mariah Dahl
2023-02-28
Dr. Shire is very knowledgeable and professional. His staff are very attentive and warm.
Rebecca Pellegrin
Rebecca Pellegrin
2022-10-27
Great staff and service! Dr. Shire is the best!!!
Ju-Hsin Lusk
Ju-Hsin Lusk
2022-06-06
When your two best friends travel from Dallas, TX and Atlanta, GA to Chattanooga, TN for Dr. Shire's impeccable surgical skills, you know that Dr. Shire is one of the best facial plastic surgeons. Then, when their physicians and friends back home (Dallas, TX and Atlanta, GA, not exactly small cities without choices) are so utterly amazed of the incredible results and ask for Dr. Shire contact information to make appointments, now there is no doubt that Dr. Shire is THE very best facial plastic surgeon!
Mrs. K
Mrs. K
2022-05-30
Dr. Shire really listens and cares for his patients. He explained everything thoroughly.
Happy Yates Baker
Happy Yates Baker
2022-05-09
What a wonderful office - great assistants, fab service, and the BEST plastic surgeon anywhere around!!! Just perfect! AAAAAAAA++++++

Why Choose Rhinoplasty?

Is a nose job right for you? The decision to get a rhinoplasty depends entirely on you and how you feel about your nose.

It’s best to reserve rhinoplasty for after the nose has been fully developed: around 16-17 years old for girls and 18-20 years old for boys. This ensures that the results of the rhinoplasty surgery will not be affected by the patient’s natural growth cycle and that the patient will have the maturity and understanding to handle the stresses of a complex surgical process like rhinoplasty.

Take note, however, that our noses change over time, even beyond puberty. Like many parts of our bodies, our noses take on gradual but noticeable differences over the years, due to age and external factors like injury. While one can never gauge the exact effects of injury, it’s important to note that we can take the natural progression of age and regular bodily development into account when considering any change we might want from our noses.

Facial bone and tissue get reabsorbed over time, for example, leading to more prominent or protruding noses and droopier tips as we age. Processes like this occur naturally due to gravity taking effect, and it’s worth noting that they don’t stop even after rhinoplasty. Even though the nose continues to droop over time, by using sculpture rhinoplasty techniques, Dr. Shire can decrease, and sometimes even prevent the progressive drooping that occurs naturally in the nose.

Speak with Dr. Shire about how relevant these and other factors might be to your possible nose job surgery, and how they can affect your new nose over time.

To arrange a consultation at our Chattanooga office, please fill out our contact form, or call us at 423-825-8278 so we can schedule an appointment.

How Does Rhinoplasty Surgery Work?

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient surgical procedure that generally takes an average of 1-3 hours. It is usually performed under a sedative anesthesia, which means you will need to be accompanied by someone who can take you home following the rhinoplasty procedure.

Open vs Closed Rhinoplasty

Open sculpture rhinoplasty is typically used for more precise modifications, since it gives Dr. Shire greater access to a patient’s nasal structures, eliminates any guesswork, and ensures and promotes a predictable result. In this approach, an opening incision is made between the nostrils, beneath the nasal tip. Sculpture rhinoplasty allows you to improve the shape of the nose, but also strengthens the structure which allows for longer-lasting results. Open sculpture rhinoplasty delivers more consistent results due to the greater degree of control it affords Dr. Shire.

“Closed” rhinoplasty, meanwhile, involves incisions made inside the nostril. Closed rhinoplasty does place more limits on the surgeon’s access to important structures of the patient’s nose and has been known to be associated with the nose job look.

During your nose job surgery, Dr. Shire may remove or add bone and cartilage to reshape your nose or improve its function. Cartilage grafts may be used if needed to alter the structure or volume of your nose.

Keep in mind that surgical plans are tailored to the anatomy, needs, and goals of the patient, so no two nose job surgeries are the same. Like sculpture, rhinoplasty molds the bone and cartilage to create a nose that fits the face. To ensure that your nose job surgery yields permanent, functional, and aesthetically pleasing results, choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon such as Dr. Shire is paramount.

How Do You Pick Your Rhinoplasty Surgeon?

Your choice of rhinoplasty surgeon is the most critical factor in any successful nose job surgery, and it’s vital to pick someone with extensive training and experience. Find a certified facial plastic specialist who counts years of experience in facial surgery and devotes a significant portion of their practice to rhinoplasty in particular. After all, nasal surgery is a complex operation with highly visible results, so it’s best to leave it in the hands of a professional who performs nose jobs on a regular basis.

At Shire Facial Plastic Surgery in Chattanooga, your rhinoplasty will be handled by Dr. James Shire, contributing author to the Open Structure Rhinoplasty textbook, recognized expert in sculpture rhinoplasty, and premier facial plastic surgeon in the Chattanooga area. Educated in both medicine and art, Dr. Shire brings a wealth of surgical experience and artistic ability to each rhinoplasty procedure.

To arrange a consultation at our Chattanooga office, please fill out our contact form, or call us at 423-825-8278 so we can schedule an appointment.

Rhinoplasty Before & After Gallery

Be sure to view our Sculpture Rhinoplasty Before and After Photo Gallery to see real patient rhinoplasty results at Shire Facial Plastic Surgery.

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How Long Will It Take to Recover from Nose Job Surgery?

You can expect very little discomfort immediately following your rhinoplasty. A splint will be used to support the new structures of your nose, but there will be no nasal packing, and prescribed medication will help minimize any pain during initial recovery.

Any sutures used for incisions within your nose will dissolve on their own. If your rhinoplasty also required external incisions, you may have to return to the office to have those sutures removed after some time.

Bruising and swelling can occur, but are dependent on each patient and how closely they follow recovery instructions. Bruising and swelling will subside within 10 to 14 days. Due to these limitations, your nose job’s final results may not be immediately visible.

Most patients can return to school, work, or other non-strenuous activities within a week. Exercise and other vigorous activities, however, are best left until at least a month after your rhinoplasty.

You may see slight residual swelling even months after your rhinoplasty surgery, though this typically won’t be obvious enough to present any problems. Total recovery from your nose job surgery will generally take a year, however, 70% of swelling will disappear in the first 6 weeks. It’s important to keep your follow-up appointments for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rhinoplasty Surgery

What Questions Should You Ask Your Rhinoplasty Surgeon?

Consultations are key to preparing for nose job surgery and entering the operating room feeling confident and secure. Not only will you get more insight into the procedure, you will also get a better idea of what changes are possible with rhinoplasty, what you can expect during recovery, and so on.

Here are some questions you might consider asking when you consult about a possible rhinoplasty:

  • Is the surgeon certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery?
  • When did they perform their last rhinoplasty? How many rhinoplasties have they performed? How many rhinoplasties do they perform in a typical month?
  • What certifications and accreditations does the surgical facility have?
  • Are you a good candidate for nose job? Do you have realistic expectations?
  • What nose surgery procedures would be recommended for you, and how will they be performed?
  • What are the risks and complications of rhinoplasty? How will any complications be addressed?
  • What can you expect while recovering from your nose job surgery? How long will the recovery period be?
  • How will your nose look in the months and years following rhinoplasty?
  • By looking at rhinoplasty before and after photos, is there consistency in the quality of work and results?

At Shire Facial Plastic Surgery’s Chattanooga office, we welcome any and all questions you might have about possible rhinoplasty surgery. Rest assured, too, that Chattanooga-based Dr. James Shire conducts private, personal, and extensive consultations with each client prior to any surgical procedure. With facility certifications from the AAAASF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities) and state-of-the-art outpatient services located in the heart of Chattanooga, we are dedicated to bringing you excellent care in the best environment.

What can you expect after nose job surgery?

As noted before, the nose undergoes gradual changes, even after rhinoplasty. Your new nose will continue to improve over time. Due to this and the time required for a complete recovery, it’s advisable to wait a year or longer before judging whether or not your nose job has achieved the desired results.

To get a better idea of the outcomes you can expect from our Chattanooga office, you may browse our gallery of before-and-after photos. With their permission, we have compiled photos of some of Dr. Shire’s actual patients to help you decide if rhinoplasty at Shire Facial Plastic Surgery is right for you.

Does rhinoplasty hurt?

Post operatively, there is very little pain. However, there is discomfort. The difference between discomfort and pain is that discomfort is a pressure sensation. As swelling decreases, the discomfort will dissipate, usually after 4-5 days. Pain medication will be prescribed following your rhinoplasty, but is rarely needed.

What is revision rhinoplasty surgery?

People with an unsatisfactory outcome from a previous rhinoplasty and who are looking for a secondary correction sometimes opt for a procedure called revision rhinoplasty or revision nose job surgery. Also known as secondary rhinoplasty, this procedure corrects any cosmetic or functional deficiencies that might have been overlooked or might have even been caused, by a prior rhinoplasty.

As with an initial rhinoplasty, the specifics of revision nose job surgery vary across patients. Revision rhinoplasty has many differences from primary rhinoplasty. Bear in mind that revision rhinoplasty is a much more complicated procedure. Patients may be gun-shy after having gone through a bad experience, and the nose may have a loss of structural anatomy and scar tissue that must be carefully handled. Here, the experience and capabilities of your rhinoplasty specialist are doubly important.

Dr. James Shire has performed revision rhinoplasty for a variety of patients, many of whom were referred to him from all across the United States. As one of the nation’s premier experts and the Chattanooga area’s leading specialist in facial surgery, including rhinoplasty, Dr. Shire has cultivated the artistry, expertise, and vast experience necessary for a successful revision nose job surgery.