Frequently Asked Questions
I hear the same questions in nearly every consultation — which tells me patients everywhere are navigating the same uncertainties. This page collects the most common questions I receive about rhinoplasty, facelift, lip procedures, recovery, cost, and how to choose the right surgeon. Every answer here is the same one I give my own patients: direct, honest, and without the glossy marketing language.
If your question isn't here, my team is happy to help — reach us at concierge@drmonicakieu.com or call (949) 645-5179.
Rhinoplasty — Common Patient Questions
Q: What is rhinoplasty?
A: Rhinoplasty is surgery to reshape the nose. It can reduce or refine the nasal bridge, narrow the tip, correct asymmetry, reduce nostril width, or improve nasal airflow. It is performed under general anesthesia and takes two to three hours. Results are permanent and visible at twelve months once all swelling has resolved.
Q: How long does rhinoplasty recovery take?
A: Most patients return to desk work in one to two weeks. Bruising and swelling are significantly improved by weeks three to four, allowing comfortable social activity. Strenuous exercise is restricted for four to six weeks. The nasal tip continues to refine for up to twelve months, when final results are considered complete.
Q: Will my rhinoplasty look natural?
A: Natural results are Dr. Kieu's defining standard. Her approach focuses on proportion and harmony with your existing facial features rather than applying a single aesthetic template. Patients consistently describe their results as looking like themselves — only better — rather than looking like they had surgery.
Q: What is the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty?
A: Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions entirely inside the nostrils — no external scar. Open rhinoplasty adds a small incision across the columella, the tissue between the nostrils, for greater surgical access. Dr. Kieu selects the approach based on your anatomy and the complexity of the changes needed.
Q: Can rhinoplasty improve my breathing?
A: Yes. Rhinoplasty can correct a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, a broken nose, or nasal valve collapse that restricts airflow — simultaneously with cosmetic reshaping. Dr. Kieu's otolaryngology training gives her specialized expertise in the functional anatomy of the nose, making her well-qualified to address both breathing and appearance.
Q: What is ethnic rhinoplasty?
A: Ethnic rhinoplasty is rhinoplasty performed with careful respect for the patient's cultural heritage and natural features. Dr. Kieu has extensive experience with patients of Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, and African American backgrounds. Her goal is always to enhance and refine — never to erase or westernize the patient's natural identity.
Q: What is revision rhinoplasty?
A: Revision rhinoplasty corrects or improves results from a previous nose surgery. It is more technically complex than primary rhinoplasty due to scar tissue and altered anatomy. Dr. Kieu frequently performs revision cases, including patients whose breathing was compromised or whose cosmetic result did not meet expectations from a prior surgery.
Q: How much does rhinoplasty cost in Newport Beach or Beverly Hills?
A: Rhinoplasty cost varies based on procedural complexity, anesthesia, and facility fees. Dr. Kieu's team provides a personalized quote after your consultation. Functional rhinoplasty to correct breathing problems may be partially covered by health insurance. Financing options are available through the practice.
Q: Am I too young or too old for rhinoplasty?
A: Rhinoplasty is appropriate once facial growth is complete — typically around age 15- 16 for women and 17 to 18 for men. There is no upper age limit. Dr. Kieu evaluates each patient individually based on anatomy, health, and goals rather than age alone.
Q: What is alarplasty and how is it different from rhinoplasty?
A: Alarplasty reduces the width or flare of the nostrils by removing small wedges of tissue from the alar base — the soft tissue where the nostril meets the cheek. Unlike rhinoplasty, it does not alter the nasal bridge, tip, or cartilage. It can be performed as a standalone procedure or combined with rhinoplasty.
Facelift — Common Patient Questions
Q: What does a facelift do?
A: A facelift — medically called a rhytidectomy — surgically lifts and repositions descended facial tissue, tightens the underlying SMAS muscle layer, and removes a small amount of excess skin. It corrects jowling, neck laxity, deepened nasolabial folds, and loss of jawline definition. Results typically last seven to ten or more years.
Q: What is the difference between a mini facelift and a full facelift?
A: A mini facelift addresses early to moderate jowling in the lower face using smaller incisions and a faster recovery — ideal for patients in their forties and early fifties. A full facelift comprehensively addresses the mid-face, lower face, and neck, with more extensive tissue repositioning. Dr. Kieu selects the right approach based on your anatomy and degree of aging change.
Q: How long does a facelift last?
A: A well-performed facelift typically lasts seven to ten or more years. Aging continues after surgery, but patients consistently look younger than they would have without the procedure. Results can be extended with non-surgical maintenance — injectables, skincare, and sun protection — between surgical rejuvenation milestones.
Q: What is facelift recovery like?
A: Expect swelling and bruising for the first one to two weeks. Most patients are comfortable being seen socially by weeks two to three. Light activity resumes after two weeks; strenuous exercise after four to six weeks. Incisions are placed carefully along the hairline and ear crease and fade to nearly invisible lines over six to twelve months.
Q: Will a facelift look natural?
A: Dr. Kieu's facelift technique focuses on repositioning descended tissue rather than pulling the skin tight — the approach that produces the overdone or windswept look associated with older techniques. Her results consistently read as rested and refreshed rather than surgically altered.
Q: Can I combine a facelift with other procedures?
A: Yes. Many patients combine a facelift with a neck lift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lift, lip lift, or fat grafting to achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation in a single recovery period. Dr. Kieu will advise which combinations make sense for your specific anatomy and goals during consultation.
Q: What is the right age for a facelift?
A: Most facelift patients are in their forties through sixties, but age is not the deciding factor — anatomy and degree of change are. Dr. Kieu evaluates the position of facial fat compartments, skin elasticity, and SMAS descent to determine whether a facelift and which type is most appropriate for each patient.
Q: How do I know if I need a facelift or just fillers?
A: A simple at-home test: place your fingertips along your jawline and gently lift upward. If that restores the definition you want, a facelift is likely the right tool — because no filler can replicate tissue lifting. If your concern is volume loss rather than descent, fillers, fat grafting, or biostimulators may be appropriate. Dr. Kieu will assess this honestly in consultation.
Alarplasty, Lip Procedures & Specialty Surgery
Q: What is alarplasty?
A: Alarplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the alar base — the soft tissue at the bottom of the nose where the nostrils meet the cheeks. By removing small, precisely planned wedges of tissue, Dr. Kieu can reduce nostril width, correct flare, or improve asymmetry. Recovery takes one to two weeks; scarring fades within three to six months.
Q: Will alarplasty leave a visible scar?
A: Alarplasty incisions are placed within the natural crease where the nostril meets the cheek — one of the most concealed locations on the face. With careful technique and proper scar care (sun protection, silicone scar gel or silicone sheeting if needed), scars typically become nearly imperceptible within six to twelve months.
Q: Can alarplasty be combined with rhinoplasty?
A: Yes — and it frequently is. When a patient is already having rhinoplasty to reshape the bridge or tip, alarplasty can be performed at the same time under the same anesthesia to address nostril width or flare. Combining the procedures adds minimal recovery time and allows for fully coordinated aesthetic planning.
Q: What is V to Y lip augmentation?
A: V to Y lip augmentation — also called V-Y advancement — is a surgical procedure that advances the lip tissue outward and upward to create lasting fullness and projection. Unlike fillers, the results are permanent. It is performed under local anesthesia through an incision inside the lip, leaving no external scarring.
Q: What is a lip lift and how is it different from fillers?
A: A lip lift shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip by removing a small strip of skin just below the nostrils, rolling the lip upward and increasing the show of the pink lip. Fillers add volume but do not lift. A lip lift provides permanent structural change that fillers cannot replicate, particularly for patients with a long upper lip.
Q: What is a direct neck lift?
A: A direct neck lift removes excess skin and tightens the platysma muscle of the neck through a carefully placed incision directly under the chin. It is ideal for patients with significant neck laxity or banding. The incision heals in the natural shadow under the chin and is typically well-concealed.
Recovery & How to Prepare for Surgery
Q: How should I prepare for facial plastic surgery?
A: Stop blood-thinning medications and supplements (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E) two weeks before surgery. Stop smoking at least four weeks before and after. Arrange for a driver and a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours. Prepare a recovery space with your head elevated, cold compresses, and prescribed medications ready before your procedure day.
Q: When can I return to work after rhinoplasty?
A: Most patients with desk or remote jobs return to work in one to two weeks after rhinoplasty. Physical jobs or roles requiring significant public interaction may require three to four weeks. A nasal splint is typically worn for the first week, after which most visible bruising has faded enough that colleagues may not notice.
Q: When can I exercise after facial surgery?
A: Light walking can resume within the first week after most facial procedures. Moderate activity — including yoga and light cardio — is generally permitted at three to four weeks. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and contact sports should be avoided for four to six weeks. Elevated heart rate increases swelling and can compromise healing.
Q: How do I manage swelling after rhinoplasty?
A: Sleep with your head elevated on two to three pillows for the first two weeks — this is the single most effective thing you can do. Avoid salt-heavy foods that promote fluid retention. Cold compresses on the cheeks (not directly on the nose) help in the first 48 hours. Avoid strenuous activity, sun exposure, and alcohol during early recovery.
Q: Will I be in a lot of pain after facial plastic surgery?
A: Most facial plastic surgery patients are surprised by how manageable discomfort is. Rhinoplasty and facelift patients typically describe pressure and congestion rather than sharp pain. Dr. Kieu prescribes appropriate pain management, and most patients transition to over-the-counter pain relievers within the first few days.
Q: When will I see my final results?
A: For rhinoplasty, final results are visible at 1-2 years. For facelift, brow lift, neck lift, and liposuction, results are largely visible at three to six months as swelling resolves. Alarplasty and lip lift results settle within three to six months. Dr. Kieu photographs patients at each follow-up visit so you can track your progress over time.
Q: Can I wear glasses after rhinoplasty?
A: No glasses that rest on the nasal bridge for at least four weeks after rhinoplasty — the bridge is healing and pressure from glasses can indent the skin or shift cartilage. Contact lenses are an alternative. After four weeks, lightweight frames may be worn; heavier frames should wait until two months. Dr. Kieu will advise based on your specific case.
Q: Is it safe to travel for surgery with Dr. Kieu?
A: Many of Dr. Kieu's patients travel from outside Orange County and Los Angeles — including from out of state or internationally. Her team coordinates scheduling to minimize the number of required visits where possible. Depending on the procedure patients are advised to remain local for at least three to ten days after surgery before traveling, and to avoid air travel for two to three weeks after rhinoplasty.
How to Choose a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Q: What is a facial plastic surgeon?
A: A facial plastic surgeon is a physician who has completed residency training in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat surgery) followed by fellowship training specifically in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. This subspecialty focus means their expertise is exclusively on the face and neck — as distinct from general plastic surgeons who operate on the entire body.
Q: What is the difference between a facial plastic surgeon and a plastic surgeon?
A: A general plastic surgeon operates on the face, breasts, body, and hands. A facial plastic surgeon focuses exclusively on the face and neck, with subspecialty residency and fellowship training in this specific anatomical region. For facial procedures, a surgeon whose entire career is devoted to the face will typically have greater depth of experience in facial anatomy and technique.
Q: What questions should I ask during a consultation?
A: Ask: How many of this specific procedure do you perform per year? Can I see before and after photos of patients with my anatomy? Who performs my surgery — you personally? What are the realistic limitations for my case? What happens if I'm unhappy with my result? A surgeon who answers these questions directly and without defensiveness is demonstrating the transparency you want.
Q: Why choose Dr. Monica Kieu for facial plastic surgery?
A: Dr. Kieu is a board-certified, fellowship-trained Facial Plastic Surgeon named one of Los Angeles Magazine's Top Docs. She trained at the University of Toronto, served as Chief Resident at Michigan State University, and performs facial surgery exclusively. She sees a deliberately limited patient volume to ensure every patient receives her full personal attention at both her Newport Beach and Beverly Hills locations.
Q: Does Dr. Kieu offer virtual consultations?
A: Yes. Dr. Kieu offers virtual consultations via Zoom for patients who are unable to visit one of her offices in person for an initial conversation. Virtual consultations allow Dr. Kieu to evaluate your concerns, discuss your goals, and determine whether an in-person evaluation is the appropriate next step. Contact the practice to schedule.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Q: What can Botox do for my face?
A: Botox temporarily relaxes the muscles that create dynamic wrinkles — lines that form from repeated facial movement. It is most effective for forehead lines, the glabellar '11' lines between the brows, and crow's feet at the outer corners of the eyes. Results appear within three to five days and last three to four months.
Q: What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
A: Botox relaxes muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles caused by movement. Dermal fillers add volume to restore fullness lost through aging — in the cheeks, lips, tear troughs, and nasolabial folds. They address different problems and are frequently used together for complementary effects. Neither replaces surgery when structural tissue lifting is what the anatomy requires.
Q: When should I consider surgery instead of non-surgical treatments?
A: When non-surgical treatments are no longer providing meaningful improvement — or when the underlying issue is tissue descent rather than volume loss — surgery is the appropriate next step. A simple at-home test: if gently lifting your jawline with your fingertips restores the definition you want, no filler or Botox will replicate that result. A facelift can.
Q: How long do dermal fillers last?
A: Most hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvederm, Restylane) last nine to eighteen months, depending on the product, the area treated, and individual metabolism. Some longer-lasting filler products can persist for two years or more. Dr. Kieu recommends a conservative approach to filler placement, prioritizing natural results over maximum volume.
Q: Does Dr. Kieu offer medical-grade skincare?
A: Yes. Dr. Kieu's practice carries AlumierMD and Alastin medical-grade skincare lines, available through the practice's online shop. Additional brands are also offered in our clinics. Medical-grade products contain active ingredient concentrations not available over the counter and can meaningfully support surgical and non-surgical results when used consistently.
Q: What is injection rhinoplasty?
A: Injection rhinoplasty — also called a liquid nose job — uses dermal filler to temporarily alter the appearance of the nose without surgery. It can smooth a small dorsal hump, lift a drooping tip, or improve symmetry. Results last nine to twelve months. It is not appropriate for patients seeking size reduction, significant structural change, or permanent results.