Introduction to Rhinoplasty

After years of agonizing over the size and/or shape of your nose, you may finally consider doing something about it by undergoing rhinoplasty. If you’ve always imagined what you would look like if only your nose was a little smaller, if that nagging nasal bump was gone, if it was straighter, or if your nasal tip was not as refined, Newport Beach rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Michael Sundine can perform cosmetic nose reshaping surgery to help you achieve the nose you have always desired.

What is a Rhinoplasty?

While the technical name of the procedure is rhinoplasty, it’s commonly referred to as a nose job or cosmetic nose surgery. The surgery can be aesthetic, functional, and sometimes both. Many patients have trouble breathing due to genetics or injury, so in that situation, functional rhinoplasty is performed. If patients are concerned about the look of their nose, we perform cosmetic nose surgery.

Watch Dr. Sundine Discuss Rhinoplasty

Patient Review

I had a pretty bad deviated septum and trouble breathing since I broke my nose when I was 5 years old. I spent years going to doctors trying to get some relief. Thankfully I was referred to Dr. Sundine, who took one look at me and knew what my problem was. He performed a septoplasty and rhinoplasty surgery in June 2020, and my nose looks amazing and I can finally breathe. My surgery was quick and easy. I had some swelling, no bruising, and no bleeding. After my splints were removed I felt amazing. I can’t thank Dr. Sundine enough. Not only do I feel better but I now have a straight nose that I love. It was scary only being 18 years old and having to go through surgery but Dr. Sundine and his staff were the best. – Orange County Rhinoplasty patient

What are the Benefits of a Rhinoplasty?

The nose is one of the first facial features noticed on the face and many people feel it can shape the first impression of an encounter. As a premier Orange County rhinoplasty practice, we see so many advantages with our patients on a day-to-day basis. Below, we’ve listed several:

Gain more self-confidence with cosmetic nose surgery
We can help improve breathing and functional issues
Any unwanted angle or space between the lips and nose can be fixed
With the operation, we can alter the shape and size of the nose
We can fix any bump or lumps in the nose
The surgery can fix flared nostrils

The Rhinoplasty Procedure in Newport Beach

Your Rhinoplasty will be performed by Dr. Michael Sundine in Newport Beach. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia at an accredited outpatient facility. You will be sent home a few hours after surgery. Dr. Sundine will use one of two techniques when performing your nose surgery: open rhinoplasty or closed rhinoplasty.

If you are looking for minor cosmetic changes, closed rhinoplasty is frequently used. With this procedure, the incisions are created on the inside of the nose. Dr. Sundine uses small surgical tools to manipulate your nasal tissue in order to produce the desired result.

Open rhinoplasty involves incisions in the columella, the strip of skin between the nostrils; the top layers of skin are then lifted back. This procedure allows greater visibility and manipulation of the underlying nasal structures. The results are also more predictable.

Who is a Candidate for Rhinoplasty Surgery?

Dr. Sundine will review your medical history and closely examine your nasal anatomy to determine if you are a good candidate for nose reshaping surgery. If you are a smoker or are taking any herbal supplements, it is very important that you disclose this information. Smoking compromises blood flow to your skin and will greatly affect the healing process. Dr. Sundine will most likely ask you to quit before proceeding with surgery. Below, we’ve included more candidates we see in our practice:

Candidates should be in good overall health
Candidates should have realistic expectations on what rhinoplasty can do and not do
Many candidates are unhappy with the size or shape of their nose
Some candidates have breathing issues

*While determining your candidacy, Dr. Sundine will also talk to you about your aesthetic concerns and what can be done to give you the nose you want.

What’s the First Step?

The first step to getting a rhinoplasty in Orange County with Dr. Sundine will be to fill out a contact form or give us a phone call. Our compassionate front desk team will schedule a consultation for you to come in and meet one-on-one with Dr. Sundine.

During your consultation, Dr. Sundine will provide a very thorough assessment of your face and nose. This will be the best time for you to ask questions and let him know your aesthetic desires.

If you’re happy with Dr. Sundine’s recommendations, surgery will be booked and we’ll provide pre and post-operative instructions. Dr. Sundine will also have a list of questions he’ll want to know prior to surgery, which will help ensure he can minimize risk and complications.

Rhinoplasty Before and After Photos

Rhinoplasty Before Results in Newport Beach by Dr. Sundine

Rhinoplasty After Results in Newport Beach by Dr. Sundine

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Recovering from Rhinoplasty Surgery

After you wake up from your rhinoplasty surgery, your nose will have an external splint and a mustache dressing. Your face will most likely feel sore. You will have some splints inside of your nose, which will keep the tissues intact during the healing process. You will be given a prescription for pain medication and some antibiotics and post-operative instructions on how to care for yourself. The bandages are usually removed seven days after surgery.

During the days and weeks following nose surgery, you should avoid smoking, blowing your nose, and participating in strenuous physical activities. Dr. Sundine will closely monitor your healing process. You will most likely be able to return to your daily routine within 10 days. Please note that while your nose will heal fully within a few weeks, the results will become visible gradually, and the final outcome may not be evident for up to 12 months.

Secondary Rhinoplasty (Revision)

Rhinoplasty surgery is a specialty. It’s one of the more complex plastic surgery procedures as patients have extremely high expectations. Because of this, many surgeons aren’t able to achieve the results that their patients are looking for. As an expert in the anatomy of the face, Dr. Sundine champions some of the more difficult cases, and a lot of times these are revisions on previous nose surgeries from other plastic surgeons. If you’d like to learn more about revision rhinoplasty, please read our full page on it.

The Expertise of Dr. Sundine

Dr. Sundine is a proud member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He performs both primary and secondary rhinoplasty procedures and is known among Newport Beach patients as one of the more skilled nose surgeons in Orange County. He is also a craniofacial surgeon with special expertise in the treatment of facial problems. Dr. Sundine’s expertise is what makes him among the best to perform a Rhinoplasty Newport Beach residents can depend on.

How Much Does a Rhinoplasty Cost in Newport Beach?

A Newport Beach Rhinoplasty is a highly personalized procedure. The techniques and work required to attain the patient’s desired results will vary. Financing options are available to help make the payment process easier. Dr. Sundine can address any questions regarding cost, financing, and payment options during the consultation process.

Rhinoplasty FAQs

Your Newport Beach Rhinoplasty Questions Answered

Are results permanent?

What’s great about this procedure is that the results are permanent. This isn’t to say that your nose won’t still evolve, that’s just part of aging, but the results you receive from the surgery will be long-lasting.
How long until I can see my results?
The results can be seen immediately. However, for the best results, it’ll take a few weeks, as you’ll want the swelling to subside. Every day, your nose will start looking better and better.

How long does the surgery take?

The surgery takes anywhere from one to three hours depending on the complexity of the operation. During your consultation, Dr. Sundine will be able to give you a more realistic expectation on how long it will take.

Are there risks associated with the surgery?

As with all plastic surgery procedures, there are risks and complications. Dr. Sundine will do everything possible to minimize this. During your initial visit with the surgeon, it’s important to be very open and honest with the questions Dr. Sundine asks, as they’ll help lead to optimal results, faster healing, and reduce the chance of complications and risks.

Why choose a board-certified plastic surgeon?

Unfortunately, today there are thousands of surgeons who perform cosmetic nose surgeries that are not board-certified plastic surgeons. Meaning, they are not expertly trained in plastic surgery. Because the nose is such a delicate part of the face and one of the first facial features noticed, it’s vital that this is done with great artistry and training. As a published author of Aesthetic Rejuvenation of the Face and Neck, Dr. Sundine is not only a board-certified plastic surgeon but also an educator.

When sleeping, we recommend you keep your head elevated on two pillows for the first seven days after surgery. During the day for the first 72 hours after surgery, apply ice packs to the nasal area to minimize swelling and bruising. Do not put pressure on the nasal splint. Use ice packs to the nasal area every 2 hours for 20 minutes while awake. It is easiest to use frozen corn or peas that can be re-frozen. You will probably have a bloody nasal discharge for 3-4 days and may change the mustache dressing under your nose as often as needed. Do not rub or blot your nose, as this will tend to irritate it. You may discard the drip pad and remove the tape on your cheeks when the drainage has stopped.
It is normal to continue to swell on the nose after the first 48 hours. Swelling reaches its peak at 48-72 hours.
If you have pain, take the pain medication as directed. It is best to take it with crackers, Jello, etc. If you have no pain, do not take the medication. Alcohol should not be used while taking the pain medication.
Following surgery, begin on that day with a light diet: liquids only. The next day you can begin a soft, regular diet but for 2 weeks avoid foods that require excess lip movement such as apples, corn on the cob, etc.
To prevent bleeding, do not sniff or blow your nose for the first 2 weeks after surgery. Try not to sneeze, but if you do, sneeze through your mouth.
While the nasal splint is on, you may have your hair washed in beauty salon fashion. Take care to prevent the nasal splint from getting wet.
Keep the inside edges of your nostrils and any stitches clean by using a Q-tip saturated with hydrogen peroxide followed by a thin coating of Polysporin ointment. This will help prevent crusts from forming You may advance the Q-tip into the nose as far as the cotton on the Q-tip, but no further. You will not hurt anything inside your nose as long as you are gentle in your actions.
Avoid strenuous activity (INCREASING YOUR HEART RATE ABOVE 100 BEATS PER MINUTE) i.e., aerobics, heavy lifting, and bending over for the first 3 weeks after surgery. After 2 weeks you should slowly increase your activities so you will be back to normal by the end of the 3rd week. Avoid hitting your nose for 4 weeks after surgery. After the splint is removed, do not wear glasses or allow anything else to rest on your nose for 4 weeks. Glasses should be taped to the forehead. Contacts can be worn as soon as the swelling has decreased enough for them to be inserted.
The skin of your nose is sensitive to sunlight after surgery. Protect your nose from excessive exposure for 6 months. Wear a wide brim hat and/or a good sunscreen (SPF-20 or greater) with both UVA and UVB protection if you have to be in the sun for prolonged periods.
The nasal splint will be removed in 6-7 days after surgery.
After the nasal splint is removed, the nose can be washed gently with bland soap and make-up can be applied. Moisturizing creams can be used if the nose is dry.
The tip of the nose sometimes will feel numb after rhinoplasty and occasionally the front teeth will feel “funny.” These feelings will gradually disappear.
Much of the swelling will be gone in 2-3 weeks after surgery. It often takes approximately 1 year for the last 10% of the swelling to disappear. Your nose may feel stiff when you smile and not as flexible as before surgery. This is not noticeable to others and things will gradually return to normal.
Avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for 3 weeks after surgery. If you must bend down to pick something up, bend at the knees and not at the waist.
All incisions will be extremely sensitive to sunlight during the healing phase. Direct sun contact is to be avoided. Always use sunscreen as directed (SPF 15 or greater).
Take your medications carefully and only as directed.
If you have nausea, vomiting, rash, shortness of breath, or diarrhea after taking your medications, or if you develop a fever (oral temperature greater than 101o), develop redness, or have increased pain at the site of your surgical incisions, call the office immediately.
After your sutures are removed and the internal/external splints are removed it is recommended that you use a saline solution (Ocean or Ayr Nasal Spray) to gently remove crust formation from inside your nose especially if you had internal nasal surgery such as septal reconstruction or inferior turbinate resection.
You can use a nasal spray (Afrin) intermittently ONLY for the first and second week post-op for improved nasal breathing or if you are taking an airplane flight to help prevent your ears/nose from popping.
If you experience increased nasal bleeding with bright red blood (with a need to change the nasal pad every 30-40 minutes) call Dr. Sundine immediately. You should sit up and apply pressure to the end of your nose for 15 minutes and you can use Afrin spray to stop the oozing in the interim. Bleeding usually stops with these maneuvers.
*Call our office if you have any questions if any problems should arise.

Professional Memberships:

International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons

American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons

American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association

American Association of Pediatric Plastic Surgeons

Orange County Society of Plastic Surgeons

Patient Reviews & Testimonials

"Extremely Qualified"

I was referred to Dr Sundine by the Pelican Hill Resort while I was a guest there and I suffered serious facial injuries from a mountain biking incident. Dr Sundine and his staff were concerned and caring and extremely qualified. the work performed by Dr Sundine on my face is simpl astounding. I was so impressed with the quality of care and results I received that I have had additional voluntary facila work performed by Dr Sundine. My wife and some friends have also become patients of Dr Sundine's with the same results. It is a difficult decision to entrust someone to repair and maintain one's appearance. I trust Dr Sundine.
- MJ

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"Thanks, Dr. Sundine!"

After much research and multiple visits to other surgeons, I knew right away that Dr. Sundine was the perfect choice for me. He is gentle and kind and genuinely listens to you. I felt completely confident in his ability from the first visit to the last. Even the day of the procedure, he spent ample time talking to me, taking measurements, and making marks on my body so as to get the perfect results. I have been singing his praises to all of my friends and will recommend him to anyone searching for a plastic surgeon. Thanks, Dr. Sundine!

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"Excellent Plastic Surgeon!"

Dr. Sundine is an excellent plastic surgeon! I have been using his services for almost 5 years. The office setting is state of the art and his office manager Toni makes sure that everything runs efficiently. They really listen to your needs before and after surgery to make certain that you walk out fully satisfied. If you want to look years younger and fully refreshed I highly recommend that you use his services. This is not your typical Newport Beach plastic surgeon’s office. Patients walk out looking naturally gorgeous, not overdone like some of the women in Orange County! The office offers a full range of injectables, peels, and lasers in addition to major cosmetic surgery procedures. Whether you need a little tweak or surgery this is the physician that you should see!
- Susan

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"You are the Best Surgeon!"

Dr. Sundine is the best plastic surgeon. Dr. Sundine’s excellent skills and knowledge has made my surgery turn out so well. But more importantly, it made me feel better about myself. Again, thank you Dr. Sundine for all you have done for me. You are the best surgeon!
- Thy D.

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