Expert nose surgery that delivers beautiful results and lasting confidence
What is a Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, also known as nasal surgery or a “nose job”, is performed to improve both the appearance and function of the nose. At Utah Facial Plastics in Salt Lake City, our double board-certified facial plastic surgeons specialize in cosmetic and functional nose surgery, creating natural-looking results that enhance facial harmony and restore confidence.
For patients experiencing structural issues such as a deviated septum or difficulty breathing, septoplasty may be recommended to correct internal nasal anatomy while refining the external shape of the nose. This dual approach allows for improved airflow and long-lasting aesthetic enhancement.
Our surgeons—Drs. Thompson, Henstrom, and Manning—also have extensive expertise in revision rhinoplasty, a more complex procedure performed to correct or improve the results of a previous nose surgery. Whether you’re seeking your first rhinoplasty or a corrective procedure, our team brings a high level of skill, artistry, and experience to every case.
With hundreds of successful rhinoplasty and septoplasty procedures performed, Utah Facial Plastics is recognized as a trusted leader in nose surgery throughout Salt Lake City, winning Best of State, Best of SLC, and Best of Davis County.
Who Can Benefit from a Rhinoplasty Procedure?
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Individuals who are uncomfortable with the size, shape, or symmetry of their nose
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Those seeking to correct nasal appearance due to birth defects, trauma, or a previous surgery
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Patients experiencing breathing difficulties caused by structural issues inside the nose
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Adults whose facial growth is complete (typically age 15–16 for females and 17–18 for males)
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Candidates with realistic expectations and a commitment to following pre- and post-operative care instructions
- Those looking for natural, long-lasting results from a trusted facial plastic surgeon in Draper, Layton, or Heber City, Utah
Types of "Nose Job" Surgeries
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a "nose job", is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose to enhance facial balance and improve overall appearance. It can address concerns such as a dorsal hump, wide or uneven bridge, bulbous tip, or nasal asymmetry. By sculpting the bone and cartilage, rhinoplasty creates a more refined, natural-looking profile tailored to each patient’s unique facial features.
Revision Rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty is a secondary nose surgery performed to correct or improve the results of a previous rhinoplasty. Patients may seek revision for aesthetic concerns, unresolved asymmetry, or functional issues that persist or developed after the initial procedure. Revision rhinoplasty is more complex due to scar tissue and changes from prior surgery, and it requires a high level of expertise to restore both form and function while achieving natural, balanced results.
Septoplasty
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects a deviated nasal septum to improve airflow and breathing through the nose. A deviated septum can cause chronic congestion, snoring, and difficulty breathing. During septoplasty, the cartilage and bone inside the nose are repositioned to straighten the nasal passage. While septoplasty is performed to improve nasal breathing, it is often combined with cosmetic rhinoplasty to enhance the external appearance of the nose as well, providing both functional relief and aesthetic refinement.
Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
Non-surgical rhinoplasty, or a liquid nose job, is a minimally invasive treatment that uses dermal fillers to temporarily reshape the nose without surgery. It can smooth out bumps, improve symmetry, or lift a drooping tip. Results are immediate and typically last 9–18 months, depending on the filler used. This option is ideal for patients seeking subtle enhancements or those not ready to commit to surgery.
Meet The Facial Plastic Surgeons
Our double board-certified facial plastic surgeons specialize exclusively in the face and neck, combining advanced surgical skill with an artistic eye for natural results. With decades of experience and thousands of facelifts performed, Drs. Thompson, Henstrom, and Manning are trusted across Utah for delivering personalized care, lasting rejuvenation, and results that never look overdone.
What to Expect from Your Rhinoplasty Consultation at Utah Facial Plastics
At Utah Facial Plastics, we are guided by a team of surgeons with over 60 years of combined experience in facial plastic surgery. From your first consultation, we’re here to ensure you feel informed, supported, and confident in your decision. We’ll thoughtfully pair you with the surgeon best suited to your goals and provide expert insight every step of the way.
Our rhinoplasty consultations are designed to be thorough and personalized, offering a detailed assessment of both cosmetic and functional concerns. You’ll receive custom recommendations and have the opportunity to openly discuss your goals, ask questions, and explore the surgical plan that’s right for you. Our priority is to help you feel understood and empowered as you take this important step toward achieving natural, confident results.
- Expert Evaluation: During your rhinoplasty consultation, you will meet with one of our experienced and board-certified surgeons. They will conduct a thorough evaluation of your nasal structure, facial proportions, and aesthetic concerns to understand your specific needs and expectations.
- Individualized Recommendations: Our surgeons will take the time to listen attentively to your goals and preferences for nasal shape and appearance. They will provide detailed explanations of the surgical techniques and options available to you, tailoring their recommendations to achieve your desired outcome while maintaining facial harmony, balance, and functionality.
- Digital Imaging Technology: To help you visualize potential results, we are able to utilize imaging technology during your consultation. This allows you to preview various aesthetic changes to your nose, enabling an informed discussion about the proposed surgical plan and ensuring alignment between your expectations and achievable outcomes. It is important to know that imaging is a tool and not a guarantee of outcome.
- Transparent Communication: We believe in transparent communication and encourage you to ask any questions or express any concerns you may have about rhinoplasty surgery. Our surgeons will provide honest and realistic insights into the procedure, including potential risks, recovery process, and expected outcomes, to help you make well-informed decisions.
- Patient-Centered Care: Throughout your rhinoplasty consultation, our team prioritizes your comfort, privacy, and satisfaction. We strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment where you can feel heard, valued, and empowered to take the next steps in your aesthetic journey with confidence.
At Utah Facial Plastics, we’re with you every step of the way, from the moment you reach out to long after your recovery. Our expert team is committed to delivering exceptional results and deeply personalized care throughout your rhinoplasty experience. This is more than just nose surgery—it’s a transformative journey toward renewed confidence, refined balance, and a look that reflects your unique identity. Trust the team Utah has voted Best of State year after year to guide you with skill, compassion, and expertise.
Considering a Nose Job?
Dr. Henstrom shares expert insight on Good Things Utah
Join us on a Rhinoplasty Journey
Evaluation and goal Setting when getting a nose job. Have questions? Give us a call 801.776.2220
The Most Common Reasons Patients Desire Rhinoplasty Surgery
Your most asked questions, expertly answered. Give us a call and we'll review things with you 801.776.2220
Rhinoplasty FAQ's
Your most asked questions, expertly answered. Give us a call and we'll review things with you 801.776.2220
An ideal candidate for rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty surgery is typically 16 years of age or older with good to excellent health and realistic expectations. Most candidates include those whom have a significant nasal deformity and/or cosmetic concerns that make them feel self-conscious or unhappy.
Ideal candidates are well-adjusted and do not expect rhinoplasty surgery to transform them into someone else, but to correct concerns and restore facial balance.
Rhinoplasty is performed in the operating room under deep sedation. Depending on the goals of surgery and the anatomic considerations of the individual patient, either an “open” or “closed” approach is taken. With the open approach, a small incision is made on the skin separating the nostrils. This incision heals very well and generally becomes imperceptible with time. With the closed approach, all incisions are made inside the nose. Whichever approach is used, cartilage, bone, and soft tissue are shifted and reshaped to achieve the desired result. Benefits of Rhinoplasty include:
- Improves harmonization of nose and facial features
- Improves nasal breathing
- Can restore nasal appearance and function following nasal trauma
- Results are usually permanent
- Safe and effective
An in-office non-surgical rhinoplasty option is available for the right candidate. This can be done with the use of a dermal filler to even out the dorsum or add volume or shape to a certain area of the nose. These are typically performed by Dr. Manning and Dr. Henstrom in both Layton and Draper. If the goal is to decrease the size of any aspect of the nose, surgery would be required.
Following rhinoplasty surgery head elevation and an ice pack to the forehead are recommended. If nasal packing has been placed, it will be removed the following day. A nasal cast will be in place and removed one week following surgery as well as any stitches and splints. Significant pain is uncommon, but prescription pain medication is provided for any discomfort that does arise. Patients typically report a general feeling of discomfort and pressure in the face.
Most patients are ready to return to school or work after one week, but bruising often remains for about two weeks. Significant swelling is still present at one week when the cast is removed and resolves slowly over several weeks. Beyond this, subtle contour changes will continue to occur for up to one year as swelling continues to resolve.
More pre-operative information is given, along with prescriptions, at a pre-operative appointment at least 2 weeks prior to surgery.
Expect to be extremely happy with your rhinoplasty results and the harmonious balance restored to your face. Patients report getting a lot of positive feedback from others who tell them they look great but often are not sure what is different.
If a septorhinoplasty was performed, expect to breathe normally again with a significant decrease in previous nasal concerns. It does take time for internal swelling to go down as well, but you will experience significant improvement once all packing and splints have been removed.
The surgical total greatly varies with each patient but a typical starting price for a standard 3.5 hour procedure is starting around $10,000 for the physicians fee. The cost may be more depending on all that needs to be done and how long the procedure is going to take. Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure, therefore insurance will not be involved anytime there are cosmetic concerns being fixed.
The facial skeleton has generally completed normal growth by age 15-17 (usually earlier for girls and later for boys). Anytime after this time is a good age for a rhinoplasty. Exceptions are sometimes made for unusual circumstances or severe nasal deformities, but these determinations are best made through individual consultation.
Generally speaking patients need approximately 1 week of down time following rhinoplasty surgery. At this point the cast and splints (as applicable) are removed. Heavy exercise should be limited for 3 weeks.
Good candidates for rhinoplasty include patients with breathing problems with contributing structural issues (deviated nasal septum and/or external nasal deformity) as well as patients who are concerned with external nasal features that are personally bothersome or that contribute to an overall aesthetic imbalance.
Rhinoplasty generally takes between 1 and 4 hours depending on how much work is necessary.
Breathing problems are generally corrected with a combination of deviated septum repair, turbinate reduction, nasal bone repositioning, and spreader grafts (correction of narrow nasal valves).
Weir Excision is a procedure that reduces the nostrils. This can be done with a rhinoplasty under general anesthesia or alone in the office. Incisions are made on the side of the nostrils minimizing the possibility of visible scars. Utah Facial Plastic's surgeons use the weir excision technique to reduce the nostril sidewalls, narrow the nostril base, and improve the nose's overall appearance if that is a concern for our patients.
The desired nose should complement the other features of the face. The ideal shape comes from an aesthetic concept, which has its roots in the perception of beauty, for either male or female. On the other hand, plastics surgeons and artists have come up with particular proportions and guidelines based on their study of beauty and faces. These guidelines provide surgeons with a baseline for analyzing the face for the aesthetically ideal nose. These are the angles a surgeon needs to consider when assessing the right projection for the nose.
NASOFACIAL ANGLE
If the nasofacial angle is one way to analyze the nose. If the nasofacial angle looks big, this means that the nose is projected far from the face. If the angel is short, the opposite can be true. A skilled facial plastic surgeon can get a good impression on the projection by looking at the nose in profile.
NASOMENTAL ANGLE
Often times, it’s a small chin that makes the nose appear larger than it actually is. Surgeons consider the nasomental angle along with others to determine what steps need to be taken for achieving facial harmony. The surgeon also determines whether the lips are properly aligned or linked to other facial parts.
NASOLABIAL ANGLE
An acute nasolabial angle is characterized by a droopy nose. If the nose is uplifted or too short, the nasolabial angle may be obtuse.
COLLUMELLAR SHOW
Ideally, no more than 4mm of the columella , the area between the nostrils, will be seen at profile view.
NASAL BASE
The nasal base width, lower lateral cartilages, nostril shape, tip projection all play a part in changing the base and alar sill.
Rhinoplasty Testimonials
Hear from our patients' transformational experiences. They're renewed confidence says it all!
"I am VERY pleased with my nasal surgery as well as my facial rejuvenation. Dr. Thompson is very attentive to my questions and concerns. I have recommended him to friends and family and will continue to do so"
"I had an amazing experience. Dr. Henstrom was great. He was professional and answered all of my questions and concerns going into my nose surgery. He made me feel comfortable and confident in my decision. The outcome was better than I could have ever expected. The bump on my nose is completely gone. I would highly recommend him."
Rhinoplasty Resource Guide
Select a topic below to learn more:
- Revision Rhinoplasty
- Rhinoplasty Review for Top Utah Plastic Surgeon
- What To Expect After A Rhinoplasty
- How long does your nose continue to change after rhinoplasty?
- Am I A Good Candidate for A Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty?
- What To Expect With A Nose Job Consultation
- Rhinoplasty Reviews for Dr. Henstrom
- Rhinoplasty Interview for the Western Medical Journal
- Utah Rhinoplasty: Is It For You?
- What To Expect From Revision Rhinoplasty
- Facts on Nose Surgery In Utah
- Meet Utah’s Top Plastic Surgeon
- Deviated Septum Repair in Utah
- Are Selfies Fueling Plastic Surgery?
- How Painful is Rhinoplasty Nose Job Surgery?
- What Is A Septorhinoplasty?