When you’re unhappy with your nose, you may be tempted to seek surgery to alter its appearance. Surgery is a big step, though, so it’s common to have questions. This article will help answer many of your questions, especially about the costs.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a form of surgery done on the nose to change its appearance. You’ve probably heard rhinoplasty referred to as a “nose job.” The nose is a mixture of bone in the upper portion and cartilage in the lower. Depending on the desired outcome of surgery, the surgery can work on one or both sections.
Rhinoplasty is typically performed by a plastic surgeon and is considered a form of plastic surgery. There are two types of rhinoplasty surgery:
- Cosmetic surgery: This changes the shape and looks of the nose for appearance reasons only.
- Reconstructive surgery: This surgery changes the form of the nose in hopes of returning its normal function.
Rhinoplasty is considered major surgery, and you need to find a doctor with the experience necessary to successfully handle it for you.
How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?
It is difficult to provide a price for rhinoplasty because it depends on many factors. Whenever someone wants to have this procedure, our office must assess their needs to identify what their final costs will be for the procedure. Most patients will pay more than $10,000 for the everything.
The following are what must be considered when coming up with a price for a rhinoplasty procedure:
- Cost of the surgeon
- Anesthesia fees
- Cost of using the hospital or medical suite
- Necessary medical tests before surgery
- Prescriptions you might need after surgery for pain or to prevent infection
- Clothing needed after surgery
When you’re ready to sit down with a board-certified plastic surgeon, they’ll go over all the costs involved and provide you with the total. There are certain factors that go into the final cost of rhinoplasty. These include:
Geophysical Location
You already know that it’s a lot less expensive to buy a home in Alabama than it is to purchase one in Southern California. What does this have to do with rhinoplasty? Where you live and have the surgery done plays a role in the cost of the surgery.
If you live in an area where things are more expensive than the national average, you can expect to pay more for your surgery. Conversely, you’ll pay less for rhinoplasty if you live in an area with a lower cost of living.
Pre-Surgery Medical Tests
Especially, if you’re considering reconstructive rhinoplasty surgery, you may need a variety of medical tests done before the surgery. There are a few tests that are ordered more often than others. These include:
- CT Scan: This helps the surgeon understand any malformations or problems with the interior of the nose before surgery begins.
- Pregnancy test: If there’s any chance that you might be pregnant, your surgeon needs to know before the surgery. You may need to postpone the surgery if you are.
- Chest X-rays: Patients who smoke or have breathing issues may have problems under anesthesia. These tests show if it’s safe for you to have the surgery.
- Electrocardiography (EGC): If you’re over 40, the plastic surgeon may request this medical test to ensure your heart is strong enough for the surgery.
- Blood tests: Your blood can reveal a lot about your overall health. Some tests that might be included in your blood workup include:
- CBC:Determines if you’re anemic, low iron levels
- PT and PTT: Finds any blood clotting issues you might have
- HIV or hepatitis tests
- FBS:Measures your blood sugar levels
- Psychological evaluation: Your surgeon may request this testing to ensure that you have a realistic understanding of the benefits of cosmetic surgery.
Your doctor might order one, a couple, or all these medical tests before your surgery. The costs of these tests vary and can add to your final cost of rhinoplasty.
Experience and Reputation of the Surgeon
In your town, there’s always the “top in their field surgeon” for performing rhinoplasty or any other procedures. The top in their field surgeon can also charge more for their services because they’re more in demand.
Of course, there are plenty of plastic surgeons without the reputation who do just as good of a job as the top surgeon in the area, and they’ll cost a little less. Also, you may find that a new surgeon, fresh out of medical school, charges less. 
There are pros and cons of choosing a surgeon fresh from medical school. While they have less experience, they’re up to date on all the latest procedures and advances in the field.
Location of the Surgery
Some plastic surgeons may need to perform the rhinoplasty in a hospital, while others have operating suites in their practice. The cost of having the surgery done in a hospital will cost you more.
However, the increase in price may be negligible. You might feel better having surgery in a hospital because of the resources available in a hospital if one of the rare complications happens during it.
Will Insurance Cover the Cost of Rhinoplasty?
Unfortunately, insurance companies do not cover the cost of rhinoplasty because it is a cosmetic procedure. Private pay with cash, loans, and credit are the most common ways patients pay for the cost of rhinoplasty.
Is It Worth the Cost?
Most patients report that a rhinoplasty is worth the cost. If a person is mentally or emotionally disturbed by the appearance of the nose, it can have detrimental effects in life, which can end up costing much more in the long run. Paying for a rhinoplasty procedure is an investment in mental and emotional health. It boosts confidence, self-esteem, and that can lead to many positive opportunities in life that make the procedure well worth the cost.
Dr. Matt Herschcovitch is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with the skills and experience to handle your rhinoplasty surgery. He understands that cost matters and can walk you through the cost involved in the total price based on your unique situation. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
