COST OF RHINOPLASTY

After the consultation and physical exam, Dr. Portuese will make a judgment on which is the best rhinoplasty surgical technique to use to achieve the goals of the patient and surgeon. This is done after a thorough review of the patient's medical history, a physical exam, and listening to the patient's needs, wants, and concerns regarding their nose. At the end of the consultation, the patient coordinator will then discuss the costs and scheduling for a rhinoplasty. The cost for a regular Rhinoplasty is $5,800 and the cost for a complex revision Rhinoplasty is $6700. These costs include the operating room, surgeon's fee and anesthesia and also include all of the preoperative care and the postoperative care for one year. Any touch-up procedures that may be done in the first year would also be covered. There is approximately a 10% chance that a touch-up may need to be done in the first year after the surgery. This is typically a minor adjustment to the nose. Payment options related to the surgery at the Seattle Rhinoplasty Center and Dr. Portuese's office include checks, cash, Visa and MasterCard, and third-party financing available through Care Credit.

PREOPERATIVE CARE FOR THE RHINOPLASTY SURGERY

Depending upon medical history and age, there are certain medical and laboratory tests that may need to be ordered prior to any elective cosmetic surgery. A physical examination will be done by Dr. Portuese, but some patients may also elect to have a complete thorough exam done by their family physician. An EKG or heart tracing will need to be performed on men 45 and over and women 55 and over as a routine screening to make sure that there are no preexisting heart problems. Other blood work may need to be performed depending upon individual health history. For example, a complete blood count or a potassium level should be done if patients are taking a diuretic. Women of childbearing age should undergo a pregnancy test the week prior to the surgery to make sure that they are not pregnant at the same time as undergoing cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery. It is also important to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E and any type of herbal supplements. This includes stopping all vitamins and herbal supplements two to three weeks prior to surgery. It is also important that the rhinoplasty patient arrange for a caretaker for the first 24 hours after their surgery. Patients need a responsible caretaker to be with them for the first night. Patients are not allowed to drive themselves home because of the effects of the anesthesia. The Seattle Rhinoplasty Center surgery staff will ask for the caretaker's name and contact information as well as who will be taking the patient home from the recovery room at the Rhinoplasty Surgery Center

The recovery period lasts for approximately two weeks after the surgery. It is imperative that patients take it easy during this time. Nothing should be done to raise the heart rate or blood pressure and exercise should be curtailed for two weeks. It is suggested that patients sleep on one or two pillows to keep their head above their heart. This helps to keep the swelling down during the first few days of the recovery period. It is probably important to do all housework, laundry, and grocery shopping the week prior to the surgery so that this is not a concern after the surgery. Grocery shopping can be done to stock up on soft foods such as yogurt, soups, pudding, and other items that would be easy to eat and drink during the postoperative phase. If patients who are undergoing a rhinoplasty have young children, arrangements should be made for their care for the first day or two during the recuperation phase of a rhinoplasty.