The cost of rhinoplasty—or any other elective cosmetic surgery, for that matter—is one of the factors that can influence a patient’s choice of a plastic surgeon. So, it’s important to understand not only how much rhinoplasty costs but also what’s involved in arriving at the final price.
When searching for a plastic surgeon to perform rhinoplasty in an area such as Los Angeles, you’ll find a wide range of prices. While we understand that all patients have a budget, you should avoid selecting a surgeon based primarily on paying the lowest cost. Rhinoplasty is probably the most technically demanding plastic surgery procedure, so it’s not a good time to hunt for bargains when choosing a surgeon.
What Factors Influence the Cost of Rhinoplasty in Los Angeles?
Research the average cost of rhinoplasty in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. on the RealSelf website, and you’ll see prices ranging from $6,573 in Detroit to nearly $12,000 in San Francisco. The cost of rhinoplasty in New York City can be as much as $19,500.
What explains the wide variations?
Several factors influence the total cost of a nose job. As you can see, the geographic location of a practice affects plastic surgery pricing in general. A rhinoplasty patient in Los Angeles or Miami, for example, likely will pay more than someone in the Midwest. At our practice, the cost of rhinoplasty ranges from $12,800 to $16,649 (All pricing and terms are subject to change without notice).
The plastic surgeon’s training, experience, and credentials are also important cost factors. Because rhinoplasty demands a higher level of expertise than virtually any other cosmetic surgery procedure, this is important to remember. Saving some money by choosing a less experienced rhinoplasty surgeon may cost more in the long run if you need a revision rhinoplasty procedure because you’re disappointed in the results.
Different Rhinoplasty Techniques
The complexity of the procedure in each case and the techniques used are other factors that affect the total cost. Surgeons perform rhinoplasty using either a closed or open technique. The choice depends on the specific reason a patient wants to change the appearance of their nose and the anatomy of their nose.
A closed rhinoplasty procedure involves making incisions inside the nose. Open rhinoplasty, on the other hand, is a procedure in which the surgeon makes an incision on the thin strip of skin that divides the nostrils, called the columella, and gently lifts the skin to expose the underlying nasal structures.
Cosmetic rhinoplasty may also be combined with a procedure called septoplasty, which is sometimes called functional rhinoplasty because it improves a patient’s ability to breathe through their nose. Septoplasty corrects a deviated septum, a condition where the dividing wall between your nasal passages is crooked. By combining these procedures as a septorhinoplasty with one operation and recovery period, insurance may cover a portion of the procedure. Septoplasty can also be performed as a standalone procedure without making cosmetic changes to the nose.
Rhinoplasty performed on patients of certain ethnic backgrounds, such as Asian patients, also requires unique skills for the plastic surgeon and may affect the surgery’s cost.
What’s Included in Your Rhinoplasty Price Quote?
It’s also important to know what costs are included in a practice’s pricing. You may experience some unexpected sticker shock if you learn later that certain fees weren’t included in the quoted price. We provide details about what’s included in the cost of your procedure, such as operating room fees and the cost of the anesthesiologist, on our surgery pricing page. We also explain what costs are not included, such as prescription medications.
What About the Cost of Revision Rhinoplasty?
As technically demanding as an initial rhinoplasty procedure is, a secondary (or revision) rhinoplasty procedure presents even more challenges. Scar tissue from the first surgery and the need to graft cartilage—often taken from the ear—to support the nose are among the reasons the procedure is more demanding.
In general, revision rhinoplasty takes longer to perform than the initial surgery because of these complicating factors. The longer a surgery is, the higher the surgeon’s fee typically will be. In addition, because the patient is on the operating table longer, more anesthesia drugs are required. The anesthesiologist’s fee will also be higher. Ultimately, these differences can add several thousand dollars to the surgery’s cost.
Have More Questions About Rhinoplasty?
As you can see, the choice of a plastic surgeon to perform rhinoplasty is just as important as the decision to get the procedure. You can review our gallery of rhinoplasty before-and-after photos to see the remarkable results I produce for my patients. Then you can request a consultation using the online form to meet with me or call us at (818) 500-0823 to schedule an appointment.
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