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The combination of Dr. Leong’s world-class training, his years of rhinoplasty experience and his obsessive attention to detail allow him to deliver outstanding results.

The following will give you some additional information on rhinoplasty surgery. If you would like to schedule a consultation to talk about this procedure, please contact Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery.

What does Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery represent?

At Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery, we represent transparency and integrity in everything we do. Dr. Leong truly tells his patients the truth about their upcoming treatment—even if it’s something they don’t want to hear. He is dedicated to his patients’ well-being, and that means ensuring they are fully informed about all factors before undergoing treatment. Additionally, Dr. Leong’s focus is to create natural results, never fake or overdone. Rest assured, when you come to Sistine for treatment, you are walking into an environment of technical excellence and high integrity.

It’s your face. Trust it to a specialist.

Rhinoplasty Pittsburgh

About the Rhinoplasty Procedure

The shape and contour of the nose is determined by the bone, cartilage, and the overlying skin. The challenge of rhinoplasty is that there are an infinite number of variations of how the bone, cartilage, and skin can interact to produce each individual’s distinctive nose. The skilled rhinoplasty surgeon must have the experience and training to respond to each of these variations.

Several decades ago, rhinoplasty surgeons often had a very set idea as to how a nose should look. Plastic surgeons would simply execute a similar series of steps to produce a fairly standard look. Dr. Leong does not believe that rhinoplasty should result in a standard or formulaic appearance.

Instead, each of Dr. Leong’s Pittsburgh patients is evaluated as an individual. Everyone has unique facial features and the nose should fit in harmoniously with the rest of the face and at the same time sustain functional nasal breathing.

Dr. Leong is highly specialized in nasal surgery due to the extensive training he received as an Otolaryngologist before becoming a Facial Plastic Surgeon. During surgery, he believes in maintaining as much as the patient’s bone and cartilage as possible, to maintain a natural and aesthetically pleasing result. Too much manipulation of the nasal tissue can lead to an operated and unnatural look.

Before & After

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Before & After

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Functional rhinoplasty to help you breathe

Our Pittsburgh rhinoplasty surgery is sometimes performed for strictly functional reasons – in other words, to improve the ability of the patient to breathe through the nose. These patients do not desire any changes in the appearance of their nose and if there is clear evidence of significant difficulty with nasal breathing, the patient’s insurance may cover the cost of the procedure. These surgeries frequently include procedures to straighten the septum and reduce the size of structures inside the nose that can obstruct nasal breathing (the inferior turbinates).

What are my rhinoplasty options?

Many rhinoplasty surgeons have very strong feelings that rhinoplasty should be done either closed (with all incisions within the nose) or open (with a small incision across the columella – the skin between the nostrils). Dr. Leong has been fully trained to approach the nose using either of these two methods. Rather than religiously adhering to one approach or the other, Dr. Leong feels it is more appropriate to evaluate each patient individually.

Because every nose comes in a different shape and size, one patient may have a better result with an open approach, while another would benefit from a closed approach.

One benefit of the closed approach is that that there is no external excision. However, this small surgical scar often heals so well that it is barely noticeable. During your consultation with Dr. Leong, he will take the time required to review all of the details of the surgery. You will have ample opportunity to review a large volume of before and after pictures (in addition to the before and after section this site). Dr. Leong is also happy to put you in touch with a large number of his previous patients if you would like to discuss their personal rhinoplasty experience. Dr. Leong appreciates how important rhinoplasty surgery is to his patients and wants you to have all of the information to make the best possible decision.

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I after many years of wanting to have a “nose job” finally took the plunge and did what I wanted to do. I did my research and scheduled consultations with a few qualified surgeons and when I met Dr. Leong for the first time I knew that he would be the physician performing Rhinoplasty on me. I was 100% confident with my decision and I couldn’t have made a better choice.

Review from Vitals.com

What is a tip rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty surgery differs from patient to patient based on his or her cosmetic needs and goals. With the guidance of Pittsburgh facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Paul Leong, patients can opt for either a full rhinoplasty or tip rhinoplasty. Patients who wish to undergo a tip rhinoplasty alone are more concerned with the appearance of their tip.

There are a range of characteristics of the nasal tip that might make it objectionable to the patients. For example, some patients may feel that the tip may slope down too sharply. This inclination of the tip can be corrected by “rotating” the nasal tip. The goals of a tip rhinoplasty patient differ from those of a full rhinoplasty patient in that they are usually only interested in refining the size, shape, or rotation, of their bulbous tip. During your consultation with Dr. Leong, he will discuss in detail your options and whether your focus should be on the tip alone versus the nose in total.

Rhinoplasty Pittsburgh

How will my rhinoplasty look as I age?

Many patients assume that after their rhinoplasty, their nose will look that way forever. This is incorrect. All noses, faces, and bodies age and change over time. One’s nose will not look the same at 60 as it did at 20, regardless of surgery. After rhinoplasty, scar tissue forms under the skin and can take several years to shrink and mature. There is pressure placed on the cartilage and grafts during this “shrink wrapping” process, which can result in subtle shifting and possible asymmetries.

Even though the results of a rhinoplasty can last a lifetime, there are many influences that can affect post-operative change that extend far past the operation itself. Some of these factors include but are not limited to sun exposure, weight gain and loss, changes in skin texture, genetics, illness, or minor trauma. These can all affect the shape of the nose and its cartilage and tissue quality over time.

Gallery

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How cautious should I be after rhinoplasty surgery?

While it is important to be careful after rhinoplasty surgery with Dr. Leong in Pittsburgh, it is not usually a cause for concern if a patient lightly bumps their nose during the healing process. Minor taps, bumps, scratches, or pressures to the post-operative nose will not often cause harm or alter the final cosmetic result. Significant impact or force to the nose during the rhinoplasty healing process should be assessed by a professional as soon as possible.

While it is true that the full strength of the nose is not fully established for up to a year after the surgery, Dr. Leong tries to have patients resume their normal exercise and lifestyle activities as quickly as possible. Please consult with Dr. Leong if you have any concerns or questions during the post-op healing phase.

What kind of scars can I expect after rhinoplasty?

Many of our patients who are considering rhinoplasty surgery in Pittsburgh have questions about the degree of possible scarring that can occur. During open rhinoplasty, the external incision is closed along the columella. The columella is the small strip of skin that runs between the right and left nostril. Happily, this incision heals very inconspicuously if rhinoplasty surgery is performed by an experienced surgeon. The great majority of rhinoplasty procedures in the United States are performed with an open technique, and the healing of this scar is virtually never a concern for patients.

During closed rhinoplasty, the incisions are made inside of the nostrils and should be undetectable. The trade-off when utilizing a closed rhinoplasty approach is the reduced ability of the surgeon to visualize the anatomy of the nose. Given this trade-off, each surgeon makes the decision between closed versus open rhinoplasty based on their own experience and the particular goals for each patient. Dr. Leong is fully comfortable with both approaches to rhinoplasty and will discuss which approach is most appropriate for you at the time of your consultation.

Paul Leong MD FACS

The Facial Specialist

Dr. Leong completed his medical degree at the Yale University School of Medicine. He then dedicated the next seven years honing his skills specifically in head, face, and neck surgery at the University of Pittsburgh—a university consistently ranked among the top five otolaryngology programs in the country. Dr. Leong continued to develop his surgical skills through a fellowship in Advanced Oncologic Surgery of the Head and Neck at the Pittsburgh Medical Center. This was followed by yet another fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Oregon Health Sciences University.

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What is the cost of rhinoplasty in Pittsburgh?

The cost of rhinoplasty in Pittsburgh can range from $12,000 to $17,000. Price is generally dependent upon the degree of complexity of each case and the physician’s experience. Each patient has a unique anatomy and different goals whether involving cartilage reconstruction, skin grafting, or the amount of tissue needing to be removed. Dr. Leong and his staff will go over all fees involved during your in-depth consultation. For further questions, please contact our Patient Care Coordinator at 412-621-FACE (3223).

FAQ

What are the potential risks of getting a rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is an incredibly challenging procedure that must be handled by the most experienced plastic surgeons with an extensive track record of successful rhinoplasties. Rhinoplasties, if not performed correctly, can lead to unwanted results that eventually necessitate a revision rhinoplasty, i.e., another procedure to correct the primary rhinoplasty’s errors.

A rhinoplasty can also lead to nasal septal perforation, i.e., a hole in the septum, leading to breathing problems, necessitating revision surgery. Rhinoplasty also includes some risks that are common to all surgeries, such as anesthesia risks, infections, poor healing, scarring, swelling, and skin discoloration.

Choosing the right rhinoplasty surgeon reduces the risks of the procedure significantly.

What are the benefits of getting a rhinoplasty?

  • Reshapes your nostrils.
  • Provides the ideal size and shape for your nose.
  • Restores overall facial balance and harmony.
  • Fixes the damages caused by injuries and trauma.
  • Provides optimal facial symmetry and proportionality.
  • Corrects the problems associated with the septum.
  • Corrects birth defects, such as lumps, clefts, and masses.
  • Improves breathing and speaking.
  • Treats sinus-related problems, like congested nostrils, headaches, etc.
  • Revision surgeries unwind the poor results of a botched surgery.
  • Minimizes the propensity to snore while sleeping.
  • Reduces the likelihood of being bullied for having a disproportionate nose.
  • Improves overall confidence and self-esteem.

What should I not do before getting rhinoplasty?

  • Don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for at least two weeks before the surgery.
  • Don’t take vitamin E and herbal medications for at least two weeks before the surgery.
  • Stop smoking at least two weeks before the surgery and for at least two weeks after the surgery. Smoking affects your body’s ability to heal, leading to poor scarring and unwanted cosmetic results.
  • Don’t expose yourself to direct sunlight for at least two weeks before the surgery. If you must go outside, wear an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.
  • Don’t eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the day before the surgery.
  • Don’t expect to drive yourself back home after the surgery — arrange for someone to drive you home.

Now Serving Morgantown

Dr. Paul Leong is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon specializing exclusively in aesthetic facial plastic surgery. With an international reputation for the quality of his rhinoplasty surgery, Dr. Leong’s practice has a regional scope, drawing patients from well beyond Pittsburgh. To better serve his patients in the region, Dr. Leong has expanded with an additional office in Morgantown, WV.

Morgantown

Contact Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery

For more information on rhinoplasty surgery or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Paul Leong to talk more about your options, please contact Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery today.

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

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Important message to all of our patients

Dr. Leong and his team are happy to announce, we are open and seeing patients for all surgical and non-surgical consults. The summer surgery schedule is rapidly filling up. Please call or contact us today to schedule your consultation.

We are following all state and federal guidelines for your protection and safety, including but not limited to: wearing gloves and masks, providing hand sanitizer, frequent cleaning, wiping down and sanitizing of all contact surfaces. As well as will maintain all standard Social Distancing protocols. Patients should not come in if achy, feverish or coughing or COVID positive test for active infection.

We are still utilizing virtual consultations, including to obtain initial information about treatment plans for new and returning patients. Our goal is to find the best balance between being available to our patients and maximizing their safety.

Please call our office or select the “Video Consultations Tab” to schedule a video discussion.

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