Rhinoplasty

We have seen our rhinoplasty Washington, D.C., and Maryland patients enjoy the following benefits from their nose job surgery:

• Corrects a deviated columella or elongates a short columella
• Improves facial balance by changing the size, length, and shape of the nose
• Improve nasal breathing
• Increases the projection of a droopy nasal tip
• Lengthen a short nose by manipulating the nasal tip for a more balanced profile 
• Relieves any nasal airway obstruction by straightening a deviated nasal septum and reducing enlarged turbinates
• Removes a hump or corrects a depression in the bridge of the nose
• Reshapes a poorly defined, uneven, and wide nasal tip
• Straightens a crooked nose or narrows a wide nose

When undergoing rhinoplasty surgery, you will be administered either general anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending on the severity of your procedure; regardless, you shouldn’t feel any pain. You will also be prescribed pain medication to alleviate any pain that you may experience during your healing process.

After you undergo rhinoplasty, Dr. Landford will have you return about a week later so she can remove any bandages. Nasal splint, and/or stitches, as well as monitor your initial recovery period.

After your initial follow-up, she will have you return a few more times over the coming months. Most patients can expect between three and four check-up appointments in total.

Dr. Landford will always inform you when and if she expects to see you again at the end of each appointment.

It takes about 7 – 10 days for the initial bruising and swelling from a nose job to begin to subside. After about two weeks, most patients feel that the swelling has subsided enough that others cannot tell they had surgery.

Swelling will persist for months, however, so patients, their families, and close friends will continue to notice resolution of the swelling and improvement in the contour over the first three to six months. Patients will continue to see improvements in shape and airflow for about one year after surgery.

Most patients may resume light walking and normal non-strenuous activities within 1–2 weeks, but it’s wise to wait at least 4–6 weeks before returning to vigorous exercise, heavy lifting, or contact sports. More extensive cases (revision rhinoplasty or major grafting) may require a longer delay as directed by Dr. Landford.

You bet! Many of our rhinoplasty patients will combine other plastic surgery procedures in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, such as a chin implant, lip lift, or lip fillers, to achieve the results they want. If you have a specific area of interest or aesthetic goal that you would like to achieve, please discuss it with Dr. Landford during your consultation. She will be able to provide her expert suggestions after examining your face and body.

Depending on the level of intensity, nose jobs can be performed with either or both. When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Landford will discuss the pros and cons of each sedation method and what is appropriate for your surgery.

Structural rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that focuses on altering the internal framework and structural components of the nose to achieve desired aesthetic and functional outcomes. It involves reshaping the bones, cartilage, and tissues of the nose to improve its appearance and address breathing difficulties. 

Preservation rhinoplasty is a modification of nose reshaping surgery, designed to restore balance and harmony to the nose, while preserving the underlying tissues and nasal structure as much as possible. Using discreet openings between the nostrils or hidden within the nose, Dr. Landford will manipulate the underlying tissues, thus enhancing the shape while preserving the natural structures.

Depending on your individual goals for your nose, Dr. Landford will use different surgical techniques. If you are trying to improve your nasal hump, she will create deep incisions within your nose and remove precise segments of cartilage and bone in that area, creating enough space for the nasal bridge to shift to a lower position. This will effectively address the hump while preserving the underlying bone and cartilage.

For patients looking to improve their nasal tip, Dr. Landford will cut into the cartilage and move it to create more definition. While she is reshaping the structures that determine the shape and size of your nose, Dr. Landford will take special care to avoid damaging the soft tissues that cover this framework, which won’t compromise the support or structural integrity of your nose, and reduce the risk of unpredictable changes during the healing process.

Most people don’t give the nose enough credit. Not only does it make up a prominent portion of the face, but it can also detect over a trillion different smells and even affect your taste buds. For all of its intricacies and nuances, the nose is incredibly compelling, and through her journey to become a plastic surgeon, Dr. Landford has developed a thorough understanding of nasal anatomy.

When performing a rhinoplasty, she consistently considers the structures of the nose, seeking to preserve its natural function while improving its external appearance.

For your knowledge, we have included the structures that Dr. Landford takes into consideration during this plastic surgery:

• Skin

As the overall protector of your nose and its inner workings, the upper portion of your nose has skin that is thinner and more mobile, while the lower portion is thicker and less flexible.

• Bones

Underneath the armor of the skin, sit two thin bones atop the nose, which will vary in size depending on the individual. The bones project outward and are partially responsible for the hump that develops along the dorsum, often referred to as the bridge of the nose.

• Cartilage

The nose has several distinct cartilage structures that help support it and give it its primary shape. These different types of connective tissue in your nasal cavity are called the septal nasal cartilage, lower lateral cartilage, and upper lateral cartilage.

The septal nasal cartilage separates one nasal cavity from the other. The upper lateral nasal cartilage is a wing-like expansion that provides support within the nasal cavities. The lower lateral cartilage holds up each naris (nostril) and provides form and strength at the base of your nostrils.

When selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon, it’s important to look for qualifications in plastic surgery and specialized rhinoplasty training. You should also seek evidence of experience performing both aesthetic and functional nasal procedures, including those that address breathing and reconstruction. Reviewing before-and-after galleries and patient testimonials can provide insight into a surgeon’s ability to deliver natural, harmonious results. The best surgeons take the time to listen, educate, and align your goals with realistic expectations, while clearly explaining the potential risks, recovery process, and long-term changes such as swelling and healing timelines. Finally, choose a practice that offers personal, attentive follow-up care throughout your entire surgical journey.

Dr. Wilmina Landford meets all of these criteria — with state-of-the-art training, prestigious awards, extensive experience, and a compassionate, patient-centered approach — making her one of the top choices for rhinoplasty in the Washington, D.C., and Maryland region.