Rhinoplasty in Chicago and Vernon Hills, IL

How it Works

The Consultation

A successful Rhinoplasty procedure begins with an effective consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Leonard Lu.

Depending on your needs, desired treatments, areas of concern, and simply who you are as a patient, we will schedule you with an actual treatment provider to discuss your goals, budget, and more. During this appointment, we will go through before & after photos and any questions you might have. Only then can we make a recommendation for which procedures or treatments may be right for you and why. We will be sure to educate you on how the treatments work, including what to expect during and afterward.

Since your rhinoplasty consultation is critical to the overall results of your surgery, it’s essential to be open with your surgeon about your goals with regards to your appearance and breathing concerns. In addition to that, be prepared to discuss with your doctor any medical conditions you may have, drug allergies, or past medical treatments, as well as any previous surgeries. Moreover, your surgeon will ask about your current medications, herbal supplements, drug allergies, alcohol, tobacco, and drug usage. Following this step, the surgeon will then determine if you are a good candidate for rhinoplasty. If you are, the doctor will discuss your rhinoplasty surgery options and tailor your treatment plan to meet your needs.

Dr. Lu will examine your external and internal structure of your nose to formulate a plan to address your concerns and also to see if there are any indications for functional procedures such as a septoplasty to improve your breathing that can be done at the time of the rhinoplasty. Vectra 3D photos will be taken and adjustments to your nose will be made with your input to see what you are looking to achieve.   Although these photos are not a guarantee of what the nose will look like postoperatively, it helps Dr. Lu understand your desired outcome

We charge $100 for surgical consultations that last about 40 minutes. At the end of your consultation, you will leave our office in Vernon Hills with a thorough, personalized treatment plan. And when you’re ready, we’ll schedule your surgery for a day and time that works for your schedule.

The Procedure

Rhinoplasty surgery is typically done under general anesthesia to make the entire procedure more comfortable.

After induction of anesthesia, Dr. Lu will make an incision, the type of which will depend on the rhinoplasty approach chosen.

There are two primary nose job approaches: open and closed. The main difference between an open and closed rhinoplasty is that in an open rhinoplasty, a small incision is made on the underside of the nose (also called the columella). With a closed rhinoplasty, all of the incisions are located on the inside of the nose.

Cartilage grafts, nasal-bone osteotomies (removal of parts of the bone), dorsal-hump removal, and nasal tip alterations can all be performed with either an open or closed rhinoplasty.

Dr. Lu most commonly performs an open rhinoplasty to improve the exposure and make precise alternations to the bone and cartilage of the nose.  In addition to the changes made discussed at the consultation, Leonard Lu, MD may correct a deviated septum or perform other procedures to improve the breathing and function of the nose.

Once the necessary corrections and enhancements are made, the surgeon will re-drape the nasal skin and tissue and close the incisions using sutures.

Some important factors that will influence the rhinoplasty procedure include the shape of your face, thickness of your skin, age, the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, and your overall desired results. The entire rhinoplasty procedure generally takes between two to three hours to complete. Though, this timing can change depending on the extent of the work that is being done.

The Recovery

Our rhinoplasty procedures are performed at Vernon Square Surgicenter in Vernon Hills, IL, our fully accredited surgical center, on an outpatient basis.

Once you have recovered from the surgery, you can leave the facility and continue the rest of your recovery in the comfort of your own home. If you reside outside of the Chicago or Illinois area, you may stay at one of the hotels that is nearby.

After your rhinoplasty procedure, you can expect swelling and some bruising around the eyes, which will start to improve in a span of three to fourteen days. Complete healing is an evolving process and will take several weeks to months. However, you may return to work and be socially presentable in about a 7-10 days.  There will be a splint on your nose that will be removed with some sutures in about 7-10 days.

Dr. Leonard Lu and patient coordinator will provide you with recovery instructions to ensure that your rhinoplasty recovery is successful. As mentioned, the fact that rhinoplasty procedures are outpatient make this surgery both popular and convenient. Further, the incisions created during rhinoplasty are often small and hidden inside the nose, meaning there should be no visible scars or marks revealing you have had nose-reshaping surgery. Because pain is subjective, it’s difficult to determine how the procedure will affect you. Depending on your tolerance for pain, you may find the recovery process to be easy or slightly uncomfortable. Regardless, any discomfort from rhinoplasty can be treated with oral, over-the-counter or prescribed medications.

Again, bruising after a nose job is common, but it is temporary and won’t last long. You should also expect to experience swelling, but this swelling isn’t overly noticeable to others. it’s important to understand that your final rhinoplasty results will take time to emerge and full resolution of swelling can take 6-12 months.

Rhinoplasty may require the placement of external and internal nasal splints to support your nose and maintain its new shape. These splints will later be removed by the doctor. During the time the rhinoplasty cast is on, it’s imperative that you don’t blow your nose to ensure the area heals adequately. Mild bleeding from the nostrils is common. Within about ten days following your rhinoplasty, you should be able to return to most of your normal activities, including work or school. Still, you should not resume any type of strenuous activity or workout regime until you’ve been cleared to do so from our surgeon.