Rhinoplasty is surgery to reshape the outside of your nose. Some people call this a "nose job." Sometimes the doctor does both a septoplasty and a rhinoplasty. This is called a septorhinoplasty. These surgeries may be pursued in a closed fashion (i.e. no external incisions) or an open fashion, where a small incision in the columella (the tissue that separates the nostrils) is made and the skin is lifted upward. The incision in the columella is quite small and tends to heal well — it is generally not noticeable. Your physician will chose the approach based on the status of your needs. Patients will likely have a dressing on the external nose. They will exhibit nasal swelling and bruising which may extend to below the eyes.

All surgeries involve a risk of bleeding and infection. Nasal surgery includes the very rare risk of losing one's sense of smell (anosmia). Septoplasty holds a small risk of creating a hole in the septum, which may whistle or crust after healing; usually this could be repaired secondarily. Rhinoplasty risks cosmetic imperfection.