Rhinoplasty in Newport Beach & Beverly Hills
Rhinoplasty — commonly called a nose job — is one of the most transformative and technically demanding procedures in facial plastic surgery. When performed by an experienced specialist, rhinoplasty can refine the shape, size, and proportion of your nose while preserving or even improving your ability to breathe. Dr. Monica Kieu brings fellowship-trained surgical precision and a deeply artistic eye to every rhinoplasty procedure, delivering results that look natural, feel authentic, and last a lifetime.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the internal and external structures of the nose. It can address a wide range of aesthetic concerns — including a dorsal hump, a bulbous or wide tip, asymmetry, a drooping or upturned tip, and overall size — as well as functional concerns such as a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse that restrict airflow. Because the nose is the central feature of the face, even subtle changes can have a profound effect on overall facial harmony.
Am I a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?
You may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty if you:
• Are bothered by the size, shape, or proportion of your nose
• Have fully finished facial growth (typically age 15+ for women, 17–18+ for men)
• Experience difficulty breathing through your nose
• Have realistic expectations and are seeking natural-looking improvement
• Are in good overall health and a non-smoker, or willing to stop smoking before surgery
During your consultation, Dr. Kieu will evaluate your nasal anatomy, skin quality, facial proportions, and goals to determine whether rhinoplasty — and which approach — is right for you.
Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty: Which Approach Does Dr. Kieu Use?
Dr. Kieu is skilled in both open and closed rhinoplasty techniques and selects the approach based on each patient's unique anatomy and goals.
Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions made entirely inside the nostrils, leaving no external scar. It is well-suited for patients requiring limited structural changes and typically involves a shorter recovery period.
Open rhinoplasty involves a small, carefully placed incision across the columella (the narrow strip of tissue between the nostrils). This approach provides full visibility of the nasal framework and is preferred for more complex reshaping, tip refinement, or revision cases. The scar heals to a nearly invisible fine line.
Rhinoplasty Procedures Dr. Kieu Performs
• Primary rhinoplasty — first-time nose reshaping for cosmetic or functional goals
• Revision rhinoplasty — correcting or refining results from a previous rhinoplasty
• Ethnic rhinoplasty — honoring the patient's ethnic identity while achieving their aesthetic goals
• Functional rhinoplasty — improving nasal airflow due to deviated septum or valve collapse
• Alarplasty — reducing nostril width or flare (can be combined with rhinoplasty)
What to Expect: The Rhinoplasty Process
Consultation: Dr. Kieu begins with a thorough consultation to understand your goals, evaluate your nasal structure and skin, review your medical history, and create a personalized surgical plan. Imaging may be used to help visualize potential outcomes. This is typically done in-person, but for our out-of-town patients, we can start with a virtual consultation.
Surgery: Rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes three to four hours. Dr. Kieu works with meticulous precision to reshape cartilage and bone, creating your desired result while maintaining structural integrity.
Recovery: Most patients wear a nasal splint for approximately one week. Bruising and swelling are most pronounced in the first week and improve significantly by week three to four. The majority of patients feel comfortable in social settings within three to four weeks. Residual swelling — especially in the nasal tip — continues to refine over twelve to eighteen months.
Results: Final rhinoplasty results are visible at one to two years when all swelling has fully resolved. Patients consistently describe their results as natural-looking and in harmony with their facial features.
Why Choose Dr. Monica Kieu for Your Rhinoplasty?
• Board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
• Fellowship-trained in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto
• Named one of Los Angeles Magazine's Top Docs
• Dual expertise in both aesthetic and functional nasal surgery
• Concierge-style practice with unhurried, personalized consultations
• Two convenient locations: Newport Beach and Beverly Hills
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: How long does rhinoplasty recovery take?
Most patients return to desk work or remote work within one to two weeks. Bruising and swelling are significantly improved by weeks three to four, allowing most patients to comfortably attend social events.
Strenuous exercise should be avoided for four to six weeks. Final results, when all swelling has fully resolved, are visible at twelve months after surgery.
Q: Will my rhinoplasty look natural?
Natural results are the hallmark of Dr. Kieu's approach. Rather than creating a one-size-fits-all nose, she designs each rhinoplasty to complement your individual facial proportions, skin tone, and ethnic background. The goal is always a nose that looks as though it has always belonged on your face.
Q: What is the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty?
Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions inside the nostrils only — no external scarring. Open rhinoplasty adds a small incision across the columella for greater visibility and access. Dr. Kieu selects the approach based on the complexity of your case and the degree of structural change required.
Q: Can rhinoplasty improve my breathing?
Yes. When nasal breathing problems are caused by a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or nasal valve collapse, rhinoplasty can address these issues simultaneously with cosmetic reshaping. Dr. Kieu's otolaryngology background gives her specialized expertise in both the functional and aesthetic aspects of nasal surgery.
Q: What is ethnic rhinoplasty?
Ethnic rhinoplasty refers to rhinoplasty performed with careful attention to the patient's ethnic heritage and natural facial features. Dr. Kieu has extensive experience performing rhinoplasty for patients of Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, African American, and mixed ethnic backgrounds, always with the goal of enhancing — never erasing — natural identity.
Q: How much does rhinoplasty cost in Newport Beach?
Rhinoplasty cost varies depending on the complexity of the procedure, the surgical approach, anesthesia fees, and facility costs. Dr. Kieu's team will provide a personalized quote during your consultation.
Financing options are available. Functional rhinoplasty that corrects breathing problems may be partially covered by insurance.
Q: Am I too young or too old for rhinoplasty?
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 for rhinoplasty; Dr. Kieu evaluates each patient individually based on their health, goals, and anatomy.
Q: What is revision rhinoplasty?
Revision rhinoplasty corrects or refines the results of a previous nose surgery. It is technically more complex than primary rhinoplasty due to scar tissue and altered anatomy. Dr. Kieu's fellowship training and surgical experience make her well-qualified to address even complex revision cases.