Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)

Dr Fortes performs primary and revision rhinoplasty using open or closed techniques tailored to each patient's nasal anatomy and aesthetic objectives. With 25 years of experience and over 41 documented before-and-after rhinoplasty cases, the practice offers cosmetic nasal hump reduction, tip refinement, alar base narrowing, and functional airway correction (septoplasty). Dr Fortes takes an ethnicity-sensitive approach, aiming for results that harmonise with the patient's facial features rather than imposing a single aesthetic template. Surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in one to two hours under general anaesthesia.

Rhinoplasty at Dr Paul Fortes MD Plastic Surgery Houston is among the most technically demanding facial procedures offered by the practice, requiring precise surgical planning, three-dimensional anatomical understanding, and refined manual technique to produce lasting, natural-looking results that are in harmony with the rest of the face. Dr Fortes, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience, performs both open and closed (endonasal) rhinoplasty approaches. The open approach uses a small transcolumellar incision connecting bilateral marginal incisions to allow direct visualisation of the full nasal structural framework — ideal for complex tip work, bridge refinement, and significant asymmetry correction. The closed approach uses only intranasal incisions, leaving no external scar, and may be appropriate for more limited cosmetic modifications. Common surgical manoeuvres performed at the practice include dorsal hump reduction (rasping of the nasal bone and excision of excess upper lateral cartilage to reduce or smooth a prominent nasal bridge), osteotomies (controlled refracturing of the nasal bones to close the open roof following hump reduction, or to narrow a wide bony pyramid), tip rhinoplasty (reshaping the lower lateral cartilages through suture techniques, cartilage scoring, or selective excision to refine tip projection, rotation, and definition), alar base reduction (excision of a small tissue wedge at the nasal base to narrow wide nostrils), and structural grafting using septal, conchal, or rib cartilage to augment a flat dorsum, support a weak nasal tip, or reconstruct a compromised airway. Dr Fortes places strong emphasis on ethnicity-sensitive rhinoplasty, recognising that aesthetic nasal ideals vary significantly across ethnic backgrounds and that the goal is always harmony with the patient's individual features — never the imposition of a single Western aesthetic standard. The practice has documented 41+ rhinoplasty before-and-after cases. Functional rhinoplasty correcting a deviated septum or internal nasal valve collapse that contributes to airway obstruction may be performed concurrently with cosmetic changes and may qualify for partial insurance coverage when documented airway impairment is present. Recovery involves wearing a nasal splint for one week, with bruising and swelling significantly improving within two to three weeks. Most patients return to work or school within seven to ten days and resume exercise at approximately two weeks. Full nasal refinement becomes apparent at four to six months as residual swelling resolves. Pricing is $15,000, all-inclusive of surgeon, anaesthesia, and facility, with PatientFi financing available from $277 per month.