As everyone’s anatomy is unique, no two rhinoplasty surgeries are ever likely to be exactly the same. Similarly, no two patient’s aesthetic goals are the same either. For this reason, the average cost of a rhinoplasty in Canada can vary quite a lot. Generally speaking, patients can expect the total cost to fall somewhere within a range of $3,000 to $12,000. In most cases, a rhinoplasty surgery will fall somewhere within the middle.
This does not account for other cosmetic surgeries that may be conducted in addition to a rhinoplasty, which is popular among some patients. For example, an additional facelift and necklift procedure might cost somewhere in the range of $12,000.
Whether or not a patient’s insurance policy will cover some or all of the cost of the rhinoplasty also depends on several determining factors. While it’s a very good idea to choose to work with a surgeon who has medical staff who can help you interface with your insurance company to find out what your policy will cover and what it won’t, generally speaking, rhinoplasty surgeries for the purposes of cosmetic enhancement are considered elective and thus may not be covered.
However, in many cases a patient may need a rhinoplasty operation as a matter of medical necessity (e.g., to correct difficulties breathing or to restore the nose to its former shape after an accident). It is more likely that an insurance policy will cover rhinoplasty for these reasons. As always, check with your doctor and your insurance company before making any final determinations.
The Potential Risks of Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is an exceedingly common form of plastic surgery and, in the hands of qualified and skilled surgeon, is generally considered to be quite safe and successful. However, some patients may experience complications, including bleeding, injury, infection, or complications having to do with the use of anesthesia during the operation. Rhinoplasty may also result in skin problems during the recovery process, as the nose will need to remain taped and bandaged for an extended period of time. These issues range from mere irritation to necrosis if the tissue of the skin breaks down.
Additionally, nasal obstruction is possible after a rhinoplasty, then at least temporarily during the healing process. This is because the anatomy of the nose will be swollen for a period of time, and this can cause nasal obstruction, which will more often than not result in difficulty breathing through the airways of the nose.
Some patients experience complications after a rhinoplasty procedure. They may need to have revision rhinoplasty, which is a secondary procedure that seeks to correct any problems that arise after the first procedure. This may be necessary immediately after the first surgery, or if complications arise months or years later, a revision rhinoplasty may be performed at that time.
The Recovery Time After Rhinoplasty Surgery
The recovery time after having undergone rhinoplasty surgery varies from one patient to another and is largely dependent upon the nature of the procedure and how comprehensive it was, as well as the patient’s overall health. Of course, following your doctor’s instructions and advice explicitly during the recovery period will reduce the time needed to heal—avoiding exercise or other strenuous activities, keeping the head elevated, and not blowing your nose, to name a few. Generally speaking, however, the recovery time for a rhinoplasty surgery is approximately 1.5 months. For the first 2 weeks, patients may be expected to rest quite a lot and might not be able to go to work. Most patients find that complete recovery takes about 6 weeks.