Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) in Minneapolis-St. Paul
Balance a crooked or oversized nose, smooth away bumps, minimize large nostrils and restore confidence with rhinoplasty.
If you are considering rhinoplasty in St. Paul or the Minneapolis area, Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery offers nose surgery for patients who want to refine nasal shape, address breathing concerns, or restore structure after injury. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeons focus exclusively on the face, giving patients care from a team that understands nasal anatomy, facial balance, and function.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, more commonly referred to as a “nose job,” is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose to improve its appearance, function, or both. It may address concerns such as a crooked or oversized nose, bumps along the bridge, large nostrils, nasal asymmetry, or structural issues that affect breathing.
Because the nose sits at the center of the face, changes caused by genetics, injury, or prior trauma can affect both appearance and confidence. Rhinoplasty planning considers the nose in relation to the rest of the face, not as an isolated feature.
Dr. Tolan, Dr. Griffin, Dr. Farhood, Dr. Sciegienka, and Dr. Bakeman limit their practice to facial plastic surgery. Their focused experience in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery helps patients receive care from surgeons who understand both nasal structure and overall facial proportion.
Rhinoplasty at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery
Rhinoplasty at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery may address both cosmetic and functional concerns. Depending on the patient’s anatomy and goals, surgery may help straighten a crooked nose, reduce the size of the nose or nostrils, improve breathing, or smooth bumps along the nasal bridge.
Functional rhinoplasty focuses on external and internal nasal concerns that contribute to obstruction, congestion, or breathing difficulty. When appropriate, surgical correction may help patients breathe more comfortably while maintaining nasal support.
Our facial plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty procedures at the Midwest Surgery Center, conveniently located within the Midwest Eye & Ear Institute in Woodbury.
What is the Procedure Like?
The duration of rhinoplasty is typically 1 to 4 hours, depending on the amount of change required and whether cosmetic, functional, or reconstructive concerns are being addressed.
Most rhinoplasty surgeries involve small incisions inside the nostrils and, when needed, a small incision across the skin between them. This allows the surgeon to access the underlying cartilage and bone so the nasal framework can be reshaped or repositioned.
Computer imaging may be available during your consultation to support discussion and planning. The team also recommends reviewing before and after photos from Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery patients to better understand the types of results that may be realistic.
Like all surgical procedures at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery, rhinoplasty is planned with the goal of creating results that complement the patient’s existing facial features.
“I want to thank Dr. Tolan for doing such an amazing job with my rhinoplasty surgery. I absolutely love my nose! There doesn’t appear to be any swelling at all that I can see, but I know it takes a while for it to heal. I feel fantastic! I’m able to breathe a lot better. Thank you so very much!”
Conditions Treated
- Congested or obstructed breathing
- Deviated septum
- Crooked nose
- Enlarged nose
- Bumps or humps on the nose
- Enlarged nostrils
- Hooked nose
- Upturned nose
- Previously broken nose
Rhinoplasty Benefits
- Cleared and improved breathing
- Balance the features of the face
- Symmetry of features
- Straightened nose with improved esthetics
- Improved appearance after injury
Types of Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty may be customized based on whether the primary goal is cosmetic improvement, functional correction, reconstruction, or revision of a previous nose surgery. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your nasal structure, breathing, facial proportions, and goals before recommending the most appropriate approach.
Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
Cosmetic rhinoplasty focuses on improving the appearance of the nose. This may involve reshaping the bridge, nasal tip, nostrils, or overall nasal proportions so the nose better complements the rest of the face.
Revision Rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty may be considered when a patient has concerns after a previous nose surgery. This type of procedure is typically more complex and requires careful evaluation of the existing nasal structure, scar tissue, and remaining support.
Functional Rhinoplasty
Functional rhinoplasty addresses structural concerns that affect breathing. This may include correcting nasal obstruction, improving airflow, or addressing issues related to a deviated septum.
Reconstructive Rhinoplasty
Patients with cleft lip and nose concerns or nasal changes after trauma may benefit from a reconstructive approach. Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery provides care for cleft lip and nose concerns, including reconstructive nasal surgery when appropriate.
Who is the Best Candidate for Rhinoplasty?
For cosmetic rhinoplasty, the face and nose should generally be fully developed before surgery. As a general rule, boys should be at least 15 years old and girls should be at least 13 years old, although a full consultation is needed to determine whether surgery is appropriate.
Good candidates may include teens or adults who:
- Are bothered by nasal appearance: This may include concerns with size, shape, bridge contour, nostrils, or nasal symmetry
- Have breathing concerns: Structural nasal issues may affect airflow or contribute to obstruction
- Want to correct changes after injury: Rhinoplasty may address nasal changes caused by trauma or a prior fracture
- Are considering revision surgery: Some patients seek care after a previous nose surgery
- Are healthy enough for surgery: Adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond may be candidates when their health and goals support the procedure
- Have realistic expectations: Rhinoplasty may improve the appearance or function of the nose, but it cannot create perfection
Rhinoplasty Recovery
After the procedure, it is important to rest and follow your surgeon’s care instructions. Bruising and swelling are expected during early healing and usually improve gradually over the first few weeks.
A general recovery timeline may include:
- First few days: Rest with your head elevated and use cool compresses as recommended by your surgeon
- First 1 to 2 weeks: Bruising and swelling begin to improve. Many patients return to work within about two weeks if their activities are not strenuous
- 4 to 6 weeks: More physically demanding exercise is usually resumed during this period, depending on your surgeon’s guidance
- Several months: Swelling continues to decrease as the nasal tissues settle
- 12 to 18 months: Final rhinoplasty results continue to refine as residual swelling resolves
Your surgeon will provide personalized instructions based on your procedure, healing progress, and activity level.
Rhinoplasty Cost in MN
The cost of nose reshaping surgery depends on several factors, including the concerns being addressed, the amount of time required for surgery, and the rhinoplasty techniques used.
During your consultation, Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery can provide a personalized cost estimate based on your treatment plan. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is typically not covered by insurance, but functional concerns related to breathing or structural nasal issues may be reviewed based on your insurance plan and coverage requirements.
Financing options are available through CareCredit for patients who want to explore payment flexibility for cosmetic surgery.
Why Choose Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery for Rhinoplasty?
Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery focuses on facial plastic and reconstructive procedures, including cosmetic, functional, revision, and reconstructive rhinoplasty. The team includes board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons with experience in nasal surgery, facial balance, and reconstructive care.
This focused approach matters because rhinoplasty requires careful attention to both appearance and function. The goal is not simply to change the nose, but to plan nasal contours that fit the patient’s face while preserving or improving breathing whenever possible.
Patients also have access to before and after photos, consultation guidance, recovery resources, financing information, and multiple clinic locations in Eagan, Lakeville, Vadnais Heights, and Woodbury.
Learn More with a Consultation
If you are considering rhinoplasty in St. Paul, Woodbury, or the Minneapolis area, schedule a consultation with Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery. Your surgeon can evaluate your nasal structure, discuss cosmetic or breathing concerns, and explain which rhinoplasty approach may be appropriate for your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rhinoplasty
What Are the Different Types of Rhinoplasty Procedures Available?
The different types of rhinoplasty procedures available are cosmetic, functional, and revision rhinoplasty.
Cosmetic rhinoplasty aims to change the nose's appearance to balance with other facial features, while functional rhinoplasty corrects breathing issues.
Revision rhinoplasty, on the other hand, is intended to correct or improve the results of a previous rhinoplasty surgery.
What Are the Potential Risks and Complications Associated With Rhinoplasty?
Like any surgical procedure, rhinoplasty carries risks such as bleeding, infection, breathing difficulties, or dissatisfaction with the surgery results. Discussing these risks with our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Tolan, Dr. Griffin, Dr. Farhood, or Dr. Bakeman, can help you learn more about rhinoplasty before undergoing the procedure.
Can Rhinoplasty Also Improve Breathing or Correct Structural Issues in the Nose?
Yes, rhinoplasty can also address structural issues such as a deviated septum. This improves breathing efficiency and can be combined with cosmetic adjustments as well.
What Qualifications Should I Look for in a Rhinoplasty Surgeon?
Our plastic surgeons at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery have years of experience working with multiple patients who are satisfied with their procedure results.
Will I Be Able to See the Results of My Rhinoplasty Immediately After Surgery?
Immediate postoperative swelling may obscure the surgery results. It can take up to a year for the new nasal contour to fully refine, but initial improvements are noticeable once the swelling begins to subside in two weeks.
How Long Do the Results of Rhinoplasty Typically Last?
The results of rhinoplasty surgery are permanent. However, plastic surgery cannot stop our body’s natural aging process.
More answers to other frequently asked questions can be found here.
Related Procedures
Before + After Results
View before and after photos of surgeries performed by facial plastic surgeons Dr. Christopher Tolan, Dr. Garrett Griffin, Dr. Zachary Farhood, Dr. Sebastian Sciegienka, and Dr. Anna Bakeman in Minneapolis, MN.
