Serving Los Alamitos, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Orange County, Cypress, Cerritos, Lakewood, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and the greater Los Angeles area.

1) What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is nose reshaping surgery that improves the appearance of the nose, corrects structural issues, and can restore obstructed breathing when the septum or internal valves are affected. Because the nose sits at the center of the face, even subtle refinements to the bridge, tip, or nostrils can significantly improve overall facial balance.

At Ocean Plastic Surgery Center in Los Alamitos, rhinoplasty is planned with both aesthetics and function in mind. Dr. Raman Mehrzad uses a conservative approach so results look natural in person and in photographs rather than obviously surgical.

Patients visit from Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Cypress, Cerritos, Lakewood, and across Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area for primary rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and functional septoplasty when medically appropriate.

2) Who Is a Good Candidate?

• You are bothered by nose size, shape, asymmetry, a dorsal hump, or a drooping tip
• You have breathing difficulty related to a deviated septum or valve collapse
• Facial growth is complete (typically age 16 or older for teens)
• You are in good general health and a non-smoker or willing to stop before surgery
• You have realistic expectations about swelling, healing time, and gradual refinement
• You want improvement that still looks like your own nose, not an over-reduced result

3) How the Procedure Works

1. Consultation and imaging: Dr. Mehrzad evaluates your bone and cartilage framework, skin thickness, breathing, and facial proportions.
2. Surgical plan: Open or closed rhinoplasty is selected based on how much tip and structural work is needed.
3. Anesthesia: General anesthesia is used for comfort and safety during the procedure.
4. Reshaping: Cartilage and bone are refined to improve contour, symmetry, and tip support.
5. Functional correction: Septoplasty or valve repair is performed when breathing improvement is part of the plan.
6. Closure and splint: Internal support, external nasal splint, and packing or splints only when necessary.

4) Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Swelling, congestion, and mild discomfort are expected. An external splint protects the nose. Most patients rest at home and sleep with head elevation.

Week 2: Splint removal and return to desk work for many patients. Bruising around the eyes fades. Avoid glasses resting on the nasal bridge unless cleared.

Month 1: Swelling improves and daily activities feel normal. Strenuous exercise and contact sports remain off limits.

Month 3: The nose looks more refined in photos and social settings. Fine tip definition continues to improve for up to 12 months.

5) Risks and What to Expect

• Temporary bruising, swelling, and nasal congestion
• Numbness around the tip or upper lip that usually improves over time
• Minor asymmetry during healing that often settles as swelling resolves
• Need for revision in a small percentage of cases
• Breathing changes, which is why functional assessment is part of every plan

Serving patients from Los Alamitos, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Orange County, Cypress, Cerritos, Lakewood, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and the greater Los Angeles area.

6) Before and After Gallery

Review the before and after gallery on this page for examples of rhinoplasty results from patients in Los Alamitos and Orange County. Outcomes depend on skin thickness, starting anatomy, and whether the surgery is primary or revision.

7) Frequently Asked Questions

Open or closed rhinoplasty: which is better?
Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions inside the nostrils. Open rhinoplasty adds a small columellar incision for better tip visibility. Dr. Mehrzad recommends the approach that gives the safest, most precise result for your anatomy.

How long until I see my final nose?
You will notice an immediate change once swelling decreases, but tip refinement can take up to one year. Most patients feel comfortable in public within two to three weeks.

Can rhinoplasty improve breathing?
Yes. When a deviated septum or internal valve issue contributes to obstruction, functional correction can be combined with cosmetic reshaping in the same operation.