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Rhinoplasty, or cosmetic nose surgery, is a highly detailed facial procedure that can subtly or significantly reshape your nose while preserving, and often improving, breathing function. In the right hands, it can smooth a dorsal hump, refine a wide or bulbous tip, correct crookedness, and restore balance between your nose and the rest of your facial features for a more harmonious profile.
At our premier facial plastic surgery clinic near Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Adam R. Kolker, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, approaches rhinoplasty as both a precise medical procedure and a work of art. Drawing on elite training, decades of experience, and a background in fine arts, he focuses on natural-looking, camera-ready results that are customized to your face so you still look like you, only more refined and confident.
For most patients in Los Angeles rhinoplasty can reshape the underlying bone and cartilage of the nose to improve both appearance and function. It can be performed as a purely cosmetic procedure, a functional procedure to improve airflow, or a combination of both. The goal is to create a nose that looks proportionate from all angles while maintaining a stable structure and clear nasal passages so you breathe comfortably in everyday life.
There are two primary approaches. In an open rhinoplasty, a small incision across the columella provides direct visualization of the nasal framework, which is ideal for more complex or detailed changes, such as major tip refinement or revision cases. In a closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are hidden inside the nostrils and are best suited to more modest refinements with no external incision. During your consultation in Los Angeles, the approach is selected based on your anatomy, goals, and any breathing concerns so the plan is tailored specifically to you.
Rhinoplasty is often chosen by patients in Los Angeles who feel that their nose draws attention away from their eyes or other features. Small, precise changes can have a profound effect on facial balance and how you feel about your appearance in photos, social settings, and daily interactions. People frequently seek rhinoplasty to address a prominent hump on the bridge, a nose that appears too large or wide for the face, a drooping or bulbous nasal tip, or asymmetry after trauma.
Others want refinement of a crooked nose, irregular nostril shape, or concerns related to previous nasal surgery. Your treatment plan is carefully designed around your unique facial proportions, heritage, and goals so that the result looks like you, simply more balanced and refined, with a profile that fits naturally within your features.
Rhinoplasty can offer both aesthetic and functional improvements for patients throughout the Los Angeles, CA area. After rhinoplasty Los Angeles patients may notice that their facial features appear more harmonious, even when visible changes to the nose are subtle. Smoothing a hump or softly narrowing the tip shifts the visual focus back to the eyes and lips without creating an artificial or operated look.
Functionally, rhinoplasty can be combined with techniques that address internal structural issues, such as a deviated septum or internal valve narrowing that may contribute to nasal obstruction. When these are corrected, you often enjoy easier breathing along with a more sculpted profile. Beyond what you see in the mirror, patients frequently describe feeling more confident in photographs, conversation, and professional settings when the shape of their nose better reflects how they feel inside.
Ideal candidates for rhinoplasty are in good general health, are non-smokers or willing to stop around the time of surgery, and have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. The most satisfying results happen when you seek meaningful improvement rather than perfection and understand that your nose should remain in harmony with your other facial features.
During a detailed consultation at our top-rated rhinoplasty clinic near Los Angeles, Dr. Kolker evaluates your nasal anatomy externally and internally, examines the quality and thickness of your skin, and discusses your medical history and breathing patterns. Together, you will review your priorities, look at your nose from multiple angles, and explore what is surgically achievable. This collaborative planning helps ensure that your goals, lifestyle, and anatomy are aligned with the expected outcome so your results feel natural and long lasting.
Rhinoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia at our accredited surgical facility serving the Los Angeles, CA region. Surgery often takes between two and four hours, depending on the complexity of your case and whether functional corrections are combined with cosmetic refinements. Throughout the operation, attention is paid not only to the visible shape but also to the internal support of the nose so that your results remain stable as you age.
Dr. Kolker reshapes and, when necessary, reinforces the nasal bones and cartilage to create a strong, elegant framework. This may involve reducing a dorsal hump, refining the tip, narrowing the bridge, or straightening a crooked deformity. In some cases, carefully placed cartilage grafts are used to support the airway or enhance definition while maintaining a natural contour. Every step is guided by a commitment to balanced, natural, and structurally sound results that complement your face from every angle.
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In-depth facial and nasal analysis in Los Angeles, discussion of your aesthetic goals, breathing concerns, and medical history to create a precise, personalized surgical plan.
Thoughtful planning of bridge, tip, and nostril changes to maintain facial harmony, with attention to ethnicity, skin thickness, and long-term structural support.
Procedure performed under general anesthesia, typically within a few hours, with a focus on meticulous technique, safety, and minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues.
Advanced techniques to smooth humps, refine or lift the tip, narrow the bridge or nostrils, or straighten the nose while preserving your unique character and expression.
Option to address structural issues that affect airflow, such as septal deviation or internal valve collapse, to support clearer breathing and day to day comfort.
Intentionally subtle yet impactful outcomes that enhance rather than erase your features, designed to look appropriate now and age gracefully over time.
Recovery following rhinoplasty is gradual, structured, and supported closely by our Los Angeles care team. Most patients wear a small external splint for the first week to protect and support the new nasal shape. Bruising and swelling are most noticeable around the eyes during the first several days, then typically improve significantly over one to two weeks. Many people feel comfortable returning to work or school, often with makeup to camouflage any residual discoloration, within about 1 to 2 weeks.
Internally, swelling takes longer to resolve. You may experience a sensation of congestion or fullness for several weeks while the nasal passages heal. Light activities and gentle walking are encouraged early to support circulation, but strenuous exercise and contact sports must be avoided for several weeks to protect the nose. Subtle refinement of the nasal tip and definition continues for several months, with final results typically visible between 6 and 12 months after surgery, giving you a long lasting, stable outcome.
As with any surgery, rhinoplasty carries potential risks, including bleeding, infection, unfavorable scarring, prolonged swelling, changes in sensation, asymmetry, or the need for revision surgery. There can also be temporary or, less commonly, persistent breathing changes. A thorough medical evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and detailed surgical plan all help reduce these risks and support a smooth recovery.
Dr. Kolker’s double board certification, long-standing academic involvement, and adherence to rigorous safety protocols are central to his approach for patients from Los Angeles, CA and beyond. Surgery is performed in accredited facilities with highly trained anesthesia teams, and you receive clear, personalized pre and postoperative instructions. Open communication about your goals, honest discussion of what is achievable, and careful respect for nasal structure all contribute to predictable, stable outcomes you can feel confident about.
The cost of rhinoplasty in the Los Angeles area varies based on the complexity of your anatomy, whether the procedure is primarily cosmetic, functional, or both, and whether this is a first-time or revision surgery. Elements such as the extent of reshaping, need for cartilage grafting, operative time, and facility and anesthesia fees all contribute to the overall investment.
You will receive a transparent, personalized cost estimate after your consultation once your surgical plan has been fully defined. While cost is an important factor, it is equally important to choose a plastic surgeon based on training, experience, artistic judgment, and the level of trust and comfort you feel. Because rhinoplasty is a long-lasting procedure that directly affects your facial appearance, investing in high-level expertise, safety, and natural results helps protect both your outcome and your well-being.
Dr. Kolker is certified in plastic surgery and has over two decades of focused experience performing aesthetic facial procedures for discerning patients traveling from Los Angeles, CA and nationwide.
Educated and trained at leading institutions and serving as an Associate Clinical Professor, he integrates the latest, evidence-based rhinoplasty techniques into every procedure for safe, effective care.
Consistently listed among top plastic surgeons in national and local publications, reflecting a track record of quality results, patient satisfaction, and natural-looking outcomes.
A background in fine arts shapes a subtle, proportion-focused approach that prioritizes timeless, natural results over trends or extremes.
A Park Avenue practice environment designed for discretion, comfort, and unhurried consultations, with attentive follow-up that supports you throughout your rhinoplasty journey.
Ongoing humanitarian work and global outreach reflect a patient-centered philosophy grounded in integrity, empathy, and long-term relationships.
Most rhinoplasty procedures take about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the changes and whether functional breathing corrections are performed at the same time.
In open rhinoplasty, a fine incision is placed across the columella, which typically heals very discreetly and is difficult to notice in casual conversation. In closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are inside the nostrils and not visible externally.
Discomfort is usually manageable with prescribed medication. Many patients describe the sensation as pressure or congestion rather than sharp pain, particularly during the first few days after surgery.
Most patients feel ready to return to non-strenuous work or school within 7 to 14 days, once the splint has been removed and the majority of bruising and early swelling have resolved.
Initial swelling improves significantly over the first few weeks. However, subtle swelling, especially at the tip of the nose, can take several months to fully settle, with final refinement typically seen by 6 to 12 months.
Yes, in many cases. When structural issues such as a deviated septum or internal valve narrowing are addressed at the same time as cosmetic refinements, many patients experience improved airflow and long-term breathing comfort.
Revision rhinoplasty is a secondary procedure to refine or correct the outcome of a prior nose surgery. Because previous alterations and scar tissue make these cases more complex, they require particularly specialized expertise, careful planning, and realistic expectations.
