Q: Is it Safe to Have Rhinoplasty in India?

A: It's not worth the risk....

It's your face and it's your life.  Can saving a few thousand dollars be worth that?   I think anyone who cares about you and  everyone giving you professional advice is telling you that you should have your rhinoplasty done close to home.  It does not guarantee a perfect result, but it will increase your chances for a safer procedure with qualified surgeons.   There' s a saying about being "penny-wise and pound-foolish."  Going to a foreign country to have complicated surgery done is definitely "pound-foolish."

Options in Asian Rhinoplasty

Asian rhinoplasty is most often performed to address the dorsum of the nose with augmentation and to shape the tip to be smaller and more refined.  This is usually accomplished by adding a silicone implant to the dorsum of the nose and by further refining the tip by trimming the tip cartilage and with additional sutures sutures that will hold the tip in a tighter position.

I mainly use the open rhinoplasty approach, which requires a small incision around the base of the nose, and in the inside. This approach allows for the most control of the tip and easy access to the dorsum for placement of the implant. The scar is nearly invisible after only a short time. There is usually a minimal to moderate amount of swelling, which resolves significantly within seven to 10 days.
A balanced dorsum and tip can be achieved with a very natural appearance. Far too often, I have seen patients with excessive augmentation and tip work that is not harmonious with the face. It is usually obvious that the patient has had rhinoplasty, which is not one of my goals. The result should be natural and balanced with minimal signs of additional work done.

Rhinoplasty techniques have improved significantly. Silicone implant is not always necessary for augmentation. . Often times I can use the patient's own tissues with their own cartilage or tissue to obtain very natural results without the potential future issues of an implant. Asian rhinoplasty can be performed safely and effectively with a balanced and natural result.  

Question: Can nose surgery improve my breathing without changing my look?

I have breathing problems and snoring because I have kind of a flat nose and was told that rhinoplasty surgery can correct this. But I am afraid that if I have surgery it is going to make me look a lot different.



Answer: Functional Rhinoplasty can improve breathing with minimal change to appearance

It is a misconception to think that nasal surgery automatically changes the shape of your nose. The nose is extremely complex in both form and function and rhinoplasty can address shape and/or breathing. Most often, breathing problems arise from the septum (midline cartilage of the nose) and the turbinates. Their interactions with each other can narrow the internal passageway and can restrict airflow. A functional rhinoplasty would involve addressing the septum and the turbinates and any restricting airway passages both externally and internally.
I am fortunate to work with an excellent ENT surgeon (Dr. Gary Rust) in San Francisco, where we combine our expertise to perform many functional rhinoplasties that have improved the breathing for many patients, as well as shape, if desired.

The Team Approach to Surgery of the Nose

Dr. Charles K. Lee and Dr. Gary A. Rust (ENT Surgeon) work together to perform complex nasal surgeries. Often, when the nose has both a functional (breathing) problem as well as an aesthetic (cosmetic) deformity, the surgeons combine their talents and experience in improving the entire nose.

The nose has 5 main components: The bone, septum (cartilage inside the nose separating the two sides), the turbinates (function for breathing), the outer cartilages (giving shape to the nose), and the skin. Dr. Rust has expertise in working on the septum and the turbinates where he will perform a "septoplasty--reshaping of the septum" and radio frequency ablation of the turbinates--opening up the air passages even further. Dr. Lee will work with him in accessing the septum and shaping the nose afterward. They have worked on many satisfied patients since 2006 and are proud to offer this unique approach to patients in the Bay Area and northern California.


Dr. Gary Rust's Office: Tel: (415) 626 4900 at 45 Castro Street, CPMC- Davies Campus, San Francisco, California.

Dr. Charles K. Lee's Office:  Tel:  (415) 933 8330 at 2250 Hayes Street, Suite 508, San Francsico

Drs. Rust & Lee are members of Brown & Toland Medical Group and accept most insurances.  Please call for details.