Rhinoplasty
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Houston, TX and The Woodlands, TX
The nose is a central facial feature, and reshaping can bring balanced proportions and harmony. Rhinoplasty, known as a “nose job,” is a procedure that reshapes the nose. It is one of the most popular facial procedures in the United States. (1) In addition to aesthetic improvements, a rhinoplasty can improve nasal breathing.
Dr. Sanaz Harirchian, M.D. believes that rhinoplasty should achieve natural-looking results that enhance your unique appearance. She specializes in facial aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Utilizing extensive skill and knowledge of the latest advancements, Dr. Harirchian gives patients the best care and beautiful, functional outcomes. She is double board-certified and fellowship trained with a sophisticated understanding of intricate nasal anatomy. Schedule your virtual or in-person consultation with Dr. Harirchian to begin building your personalized treatment plan by calling (713) 701-7269 or filling out our online form.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Rhinoplasty
Rhinioplasty impacts both the form and function of the nose, and Dr. Harirchian applies her extensive knowledge and experience to achieve successful results. (2) Rhinoplasty is a procedure that alters the shape, size, or proportions of the nose. It can be performed for aesthetic and/or functional reasons.
The upper part of the nose structure is bone while the lower part is cartilage. Rhinoplasty can adjust the bone, cartilage, skin, or both to enhance and reshape or resize the nose.
Dr. Harirchian specializes in functional rhinoplasty, meaning she is skilled in repairing nasal issues. She strives to improve the overall aesthetic and maintain or improve breathing function after your surgery. Dr. Harirchian’s skilled precision keeps scarring minimal and hidden.
Benefits
While each patient pursues nose surgery for their own personal reasons, there are many potential benefits of rhinoplasty:
- Address asymmetry and improve facial harmony
- Repair damage from injury
- Correct a drooping nasal tip
- Remove bumps from the nasal bridge
- Reduce the overall size of the nose
- Reshape the nostrils
- Straighten a crooked nose
- Correct a deviated septum and structural issues
- Improve breathing
- Boost confidence and self-image
Candidates
If you are an adult who wishes to change the appearance of your nose, rhinoplasty may be right for you. (3) Candidates must be in good general health and have realistic expectations for their results. To determine if you are a suitable candidate for rhinoplasty, schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Harirchian.
Personal Consultation
Your consultation appointment with Dr. Harirchian is your opportunity to learn more about your rhinoplasty options. Dr. Harirchian values patient communication and education. She will discuss your medical history and goals to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs. She uses an advanced imaging system that will allow you to view simulated changes.
With a strong commitment to personalized care, Dr. Harirchian provides each patient with a custom-tailored treatment plan. Whether you live in Houston, The Woodlands, or across the country, Dr. Harirchian can help you meet your aesthetic goals. Schedule your consultation, virtual or in person, by calling (713) 701-7269 or filling out our online form.
Preparation
As part of your personalized treatment plan, Dr. Harirchian and her team will complete a physical exam and give you detailed pre-op instructions. These may include adjustments to your medications and stopping smoking (if applicable). You will review the post-op recovery process ahead of time. Dr. Harirchian may recommend nasal sprays and a humidifier to relieve congestion during healing. To ease the recovery process, she recommends that you preemptively organize transportation, fill prescriptions, and schedule follow-up appointments.
Procedure
Your outpatient procedure is performed with anesthesia to ensure comfort. Dr. Harirchian prefers to use intravenous sedation (“twilight anesthesia”) with local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia for most patients. This can minimize recovery and downtime, as well as reduce nausea after surgery.
First, anesthesia will be administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Next, Dr. Harirchian will make a precise incision. This may be done from the inside of the nose (closed rhinoplasty) or at the narrow base of the nose, between the nostrils (open rhinoplasty). Dr. Harirchian will address and repair any functional issues to improve breathing. She will then adjust the shape and size of the nose to create your desired appearance.
Dr. Harirchian’s rhinoplasty techniques emphasize preserving nasal bones and cartilage and reshaping to a natural appearance. This approach avoids complications of cartilage over-resection, which can result in a pinched, collapsed, or deformed nose. Depending on your treatment plan, cartilage grafts harvested from the nasal septum or ear may be used to open up the nasal airway and improve breathing. Ear or rib cartilage may be needed in revision rhinoplasty cases. (4)
Once the structure of the nose is resculpted, the tissue and skin are redraped over the nose. Then, Dr. Harirchian will close the incision. She will apply a dressing and a cast to support the nose as it sets into its new shape. Dr. Harirchian’s rhinoplasty techniques do not typically require nose packing to hold the nose’s new position.
Recovery
Dr. Harirchian will give you detailed recovery instructions. Rhinoplasty is not typically a painful procedure, and patients often comment that the recovery was much easier than they anticipated.
You may experience mild bruising and swelling in the days after your rhinoplasty. Swelling will look most prominent between your eyes, at the top of the nasal bridge, and under your eyes. The bruising typically resolves quickly and may be concealed with makeup.
For the first week, you can shower from the neck down. It is important that you do not get the cast wet. If the cast gets wet, it will come off and it cannot be put back on.
Your cast will be removed approximately one week after surgery. The nose will look great after cast removal, but it is not your final result. Patients usually take about one week off from work or school, although you may still go to work or school if you are comfortable doing so with a visible cast.
Ideally, you will sleep on your back for several months after surgery. For the first two weeks after surgery, try to sleep on an incline (30 degrees or 2 pillows). This can help reduce swelling more quickly.
Dr. Harirchian will advise on the timeline of returning to normal activity. Usually, you should wait a minimum of two weeks to resume light exercise and four weeks before resuming moderate exercise. When you increase your heart rate, blood flow increases to your nose, resulting in more swelling. Dr. Harirchian will work with you to ease back into your exercise routine based in response to the swelling in your nose.
Results
Your true results will be obscured initially by swelling, but you may notice immediate improvements after surgery. You will likely notice improved breathing soon after your rhinoplasty. As swelling subsides within a few weeks, you will be able to appreciate your improved appearance and function. In the months after your rhinoplasty, you will notice gradual changes as the full effects settle in. Your new, long-lasting nasal contour will be fully refined and settled in about a year. (5)
Corresponding Procedures
Attain a full face rejuvenation and enjoy a streamlined recovery process by combining your rhinoplasty with other procedures. Dr. Harirchian can assess what other treatments will help you achieve harmonious and balanced results.
- Comprehensive Facial Renewal: Refresh your face’s overall appearance and youthfulness by combining your rhinoplasty with a lift. Commonly paired with rhinoplasty are facelifts, neck, eyelid and eyebrow lifts.
- Nasal Functionality Improvements: If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, a deviated septum, or a nasal fracture, there are a variety of procedures that can improve function. Chronic nasal obstructions are commonly corrected during your nose surgery with a turbinate surgery, nasal valve reconstruction, or septoplasty.
- Facial Rebalancing Procedures: Comprehensive face restoration can bring symmetry and improved proportions to your facial profile. Common combinations include chin implants or otoplasty.
Cost of Rhinoplasty in the Houston, TX Area
The cost of your rhinoplasty will be included in your personalized treatment plan. Dr. Harirchian is committed to transparent pricing, and she will outline a cost estimate during your consultation. We offer flexible financing options to make our services more accessible. Learn more by contacting us by submitting our online form or calling (713) 701-7269.
FAQ
Can I wear glasses after rhinoplasty?
You may wear glasses while your cast is in place for the week after surgery, but once the cast is removed, you must avoid wearing glasses for three months after rhinoplasty surgery. This includes eyeglasses and sunglasses. Please arrange to wear contact lenses and use hats for sun protection.
Will I have an open or closed rhinoplasty?
Dr. Harirchian typically performs open rhinoplasty, which allows for greater visibility and more precise contouring of the nasal tip.(2)
Can I blow my nose after rhinoplasty?
Dr. Harirchian advises you to avoid blowing your nose until after your first postoperative visit, about one week after surgery. Patients who have had turbinate surgery in addition to rhinoplasty should wait two weeks.
Can I get a rhinoplasty if I had fillers previously injected in my nose?
Yes, many of Dr. Harirchian’s rhinoplasty patients have had prior liquid rhinoplasty treatment with her. However, the filler needs to be dissolved first so it does not alter your long term results. Adequate time needs to be given prior to surgery so that the filler is completely gone by the day of surgery. Please let Dr. Harirchian know of any filler treatments to the nose, even if it occurred years ago. Does Dr. Harirchian treat out-of-town patients? Patients from across the country benefit from Dr. Harirchian’s expertise and proven results. If you are interested in traveling to Houston for rhinoplasty, we can schedule a virtual consultation appointment in order to determine if you are a candidate. We advise out of state patients to remain local for 6-7 days after surgery (until the day of cast removal) then it is safe to fly home.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. 2024:7. Accessed August 11, 2026. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
- Raggio BS, Asaria J. Open Rhinoplasty. StatPearls Publishing; 2021. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546628/
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Rhinoplasty Candidates. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/rhinoplasty/candidates
- Mayo Clinic. Rhinoplasty – Mayo Clinic. 2019. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/rhinoplasty/about/pac-20384532
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Rhinoplasty Results. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/rhinoplasty/results