Rhinoplasty
Lower Manhattan, New York, NY
Rhinoplasty is widely considered the most technically demanding procedure in aesthetic surgery. The nose occupies the central position of the face and is intimately related to every surrounding feature — millimeters of change can shift the entire balance of the face. Dr. Janssen approaches rhinoplasty with the dual goals of aesthetic refinement and structural integrity, ensuring that changes harmonize naturally with each patient's unique facial character while preserving or improving nasal airway function. Rhinoplasty is a reshapes the nose, while septoplasty addresses internal structural issues to optimize breathing. He performs both open and closed primary rhinoplasties and also specializes in more complex revision rhinoplasty cases, which may include cases requiring cartilage grafting, structural reconstruction, and significant airway correction. At our Lower Manhattan practice, Dr. Pierce Janssen approaches nasal surgery with a dual focus on aesthetic harmony and respiratory health.
Refines nasal shape, corrects asymmetry, reduces or reshapes the dorsum, tip, or base, and improves nasal airway when indicated.
Open or closed rhinoplasty selected based on the complexity of the case and the specific changes required. Dr. Janssen customized techniques for both cosmetic goals and improved airflow.
Initial splint removal at 7 days. Most social activities resume at 2 weeks. Final result and swelling (edema) resolution by 12 months.
Improved facial symmetry and long-term relief from nasal congestion.
While rhinoplasty is often viewed as a cosmetic procedure, it is often performed in tandem with septoplasty to ensure the nose functions properly. Rhinoplasty focuses on the external "form", adjusting the bridge, tip, or width to better suit the face. Septoplasty, conversely, addresses the "function" by straightening the septum—the wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nostrils. Dr. Janssen’s background in athletics and Ivy League training enable him to appreciate the high-stakes importance of unobstructed breathing, making him a trusted choice for patients seeking both beauty and breath.
Rhinoplasty is performed through either an open or closed (endonasal) approach. In the closed approach, all incisions are placed inside the nostrils, leaving no visible external scars — ideal for targeted changes requiring limited exposure. The open approach adds a small incision across the columella (the tissue between the nostrils), which heals to a nearly imperceptible scar and provides full visualization of the nasal framework — essential for complex tip work, structural grafting, asymmetry correction, and revision cases. Dr. Janssen will determine the most appropriate approach during your consultation, based on your specific goals and anatomy. Both techniques, when executed correctly, produce natural results — the difference lies in surgical access, not outcome quality.
If you are unhappy with the shape of your nose or suffer from chronic nasal congestion, snoring, or difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, you may be a candidate. Dr. Janssen will evaluate both your external anatomy and internal nasal passage to determine the best course of action.
Combining rhinoplasty with septoplasty allows Dr. Janssen to address the nose as a complete unit. This ensures that any aesthetic changes do not compromise your breathing, and any functional repairs are done with a keen eye for how they impact your external appearance.
Most patients experience some congestion and "stuffiness" for the first week. Bruising around the eyes is common but typically fades within 10 days. While the external splint is removed after one week, you should avoid strenuous activities or contact sports for several weeks to protect the healing tissues.
The splint comes off at one week, and you will see the general shape of the result at that point. Swelling continues to resolve significantly over the first three months. While you will look "camera-ready" within a few weeks, the final, refined tip definition will continue to emerge over the course of a full year. The tip — the last area to fully declutter — may take up to twelve months to reach its final appearance. Patience is essential; the nose that you see at one year is the nose you will have permanently.
Rhinoplasty can address virtually every component of nasal shape: reduction or refinement of a dorsal hump, reshaping or deprojecting the nasal tip, narrowing the bridge, correcting asymmetry, refining the nostrils, and improving the relationship of the nose to the upper lip. When nasal obstruction is present, concurrent septoplasty and turbinate reduction can restore airway function.
Revision rhinoplasty corrects unsatisfactory results from a prior rhinoplasty. It is significantly more complex than primary surgery due to scar tissue, altered anatomy, and often deficient cartilage requiring structural grafting. Dr. Janssen has extensive experience in revision cases and takes particular care to understand the prior surgical history and patient concerns before recommending a plan.
The functional component of rhinoplasty — specifically septoplasty and turbinate reduction for documented nasal airway obstruction — may be covered by insurance as a medically necessary procedure. Dr. Janssen's practice works directly with your insurance company for applicable cases.
