How Much Does a Rhinoplasty Cost?
Rhinoplasty, also known as “a nose job” changes the nose’s internal or external structure for medical or cosmetic reasons. The most common type of rhinoplasty is the traditional surgical kind, done under general anesthesia. However, there is also a newer, temporary, non-surgical cosmetic option.
So how much does rhinoplasty cost? It depends on why you need one. Your reasons will determine if your insurance will offset the cost. In this article, we’ll walk you through the three main types of rhinoplasty, the reasons for each, and how much you can expect to pay for the procedure.
Different Types of Rhinoplasty
There are three different kinds of rhinoplasty procedures: one medical and two cosmetic. Medically necessary surgical rhinoplasty is a treatment for breathing problems. In contrast, cosmetic rhinoplasty changes the shape of the nose for aesthetic reasons. There are both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic rhinoplasty options.
Medically Necessary Surgical Rhinoplasty
Medically necessary rhinoplasty is required to improve a patient’s breathing ability. The most common cause for a medically essential rhinoplasty is a deviated septum, a condition where the wall dividing your nostrils is off-centered enough to result in breathing difficulty. Deviated septums are caused by injuries, like a broken nose, or can happen naturally. Cleft lips or palates and nasal masses are also treated with surgical rhinoplasty.
The process for surgical rhinoplasty requires general anesthesia. While you’re under, the surgeon will operate either internally (a “closed rhinoplasty”) or externally (an “open rhinoplasty”), depending on the area being repaired. After surgery, it can take two to four weeks for bruising and swelling to go down, but you should notice an improvement in your breathing quality almost immediately post-op.
Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
Cosmetic rhinoplasty doesn’t correct a medical condition. Instead, it changes the shape or size of the nose for appearance purposes. While the surgical option is the most invasive, it’s also longer-lasting. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is much cheaper, but temporary.
Surgical: Surgically, the cosmetic procedure is very similar to medically necessary rhinoplasty. The purpose is typically to change your nose’s size, shape, width, or proportions. Again, just like medically necessary rhinoplasty, you’ll be under general anesthesia for the whole procedure. Along with the expected swelling and bruising for two to four weeks after surgery, it may also take as long as a year for your nose structures to fully settle into their final shape.
Non-Surgical: A non-surgical rhinoplasty is a more conservative alternative to surgical rhinoplasty. The results are not as long-lasting. Also called a “liquid nose job,” this relatively new procedure uses injections of hyaluronic acid to change your nose’s shape or size. Depending on the area you want to correct, your results may be just as good as a surgical nose job. The procedure is quick, relatively painless, and has very little recovery time, but the downside is that it’s not permanent. The fillers will naturally dissolve over 6-12 months, so if you like your results, you’ll have to repeat the process regularly.
Ballpark Cost of Rhinoplasty
As with most medical procedures, there’s no one flat rate for the cost of rhinoplasty. Instead, the total cost depends on the type of rhinoplasty, the location in which you’re receiving the procedure, and whether it’s medical or elective. Once those factors are totaled, your out of pocket total depends on whether you have insurance or not, and whether your insurance covers the procedure.
With Insurance/Medicare
Insurance will typically cover rhinoplasty only if it is for a documented medical reason. One workaround is to get a cosmetic rhinoplasty at the same time as a medical rhinoplasty. In this situation, insurance will cover the part of the surgery related to your medical condition, as well as the surgeon’s time, anesthesia, and associated hospital fees. What you pay out of pocket will be significantly less than if you were getting a cosmetic procedure alone. If you’ve ever considered a cosmetic nose job and your provider recommends a medical rhinoplasty, doing them at the same time can save you some cash.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
If your rhinoplasty is strictly cosmetic, you will likely have to pay for it out of pocket. Rates vary based on where you live and the surgeon you choose to work with.The American Board of Cosmetic surgery gives you a range of prices based on your zip code.
For example, the range for rhinoplasty in NYC is $4,500- $12,271. Another site reports that the national average cost is $7,650.
Your cost may also change depending on which part of your nose you want to be revised. For example, a plastic surgeon in Paramus, New Jersey, lists
- a nasal tip plasty (surgery to the end of the nose) as $6,250-$7,775
- rhinoplasty (surgery to the bridge or midsection of the nose) at $6,800-$11,425
- a revision (changing the effects of a previous rhinoplasty) at $14,295 and up.
These rates may give you sticker shock, but plastic surgery isn’t a good place to look for a deal since the procedure involves finesse, and a mistake can cost you dearly. You want to find the most experienced, reputable surgeon you can afford for any cosmetic work. Certain medical credit lines, like CareCredit, also allow you to finance plastic surgery, as long as your credit is good.
If you can’t afford to work with the plastic surgeon you want, consider a non-surgical rhinoplasty. As a simple outpatient procedure, it’s much quicker and cheaper. The cost depends on who’s doing the injecting (for example, a technician will charge less than a plastic surgeon) and how many vials of hyaluronic acid your procedure requires. A surgeon in Palm Beach, Florida, quotes $800-$1,500 for the procedure, while one in Beverly Hills, California, gives a range of $1,000-$2,000.
Find the Best Rhinoplasty Prices with Compare.com
You should get an estimate of services before electing to get rhinoplasty. Different providers and facilities can charge wildly different rates for the same procedure, even with all other factors being equal.
Usually, research means you have to spend hours on the phone with medical billing or searching the internet for quotes. But Compare.com makes your research easy. Our comparison engine helps you quickly weigh the costs of medical procedures at your local hospitals. Just plug in your procedure and location for instant pricing results.
