Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)

Rhinoplasty nose reshaping surgery performed by Dr. Sassan Alavi with over 700 procedures completed. Uses internal incisions in most cases, with IV twilight sedation rather than general anesthesia. Addresses nasal bridge height, tip refinement, nostril width, asymmetry, and nasal sculpting. Procedure runs 1–2 hours. Fellowship-trained in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UCI. Consultation required for pricing.

Rhinoplasty at Center for Cosmetic Surgery in San Diego is performed by Dr. Sassan Alavi, who trained in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery through a fellowship at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). With over 700 rhinoplasty procedures in his operative experience, Dr. Alavi focuses on achieving natural-looking nasal refinements that maintain harmony with the patient's overall facial proportions. His preferred anesthetic approach for rhinoplasty is IV twilight sedation — a combination of intravenous sedative and analgesic medications that places the patient in a deeply relaxed, semi-conscious state — rather than general endotracheal anesthesia, which avoids the risks and slower recovery associated with general anesthesia while still ensuring patient comfort throughout the procedure. Dr. Alavi uses internal (endonasal) incisions as his primary approach in most rhinoplasty cases, with all surgical access accomplished through the nostrils and no external scars on the skin; external incisions across the columella (the narrow strip of tissue between the nostrils) are reserved for cases requiring the most extensive structural remodeling of the nasal framework. The internal approach produces a smaller wound burden and faster healing of incision sites. Rhinoplasty at this clinic addresses the full range of cosmetic nasal concerns: reduction or augmentation of the nasal bridge, tip refinement (reducing tip bulbosity, refining the nasal tip definition, or correcting tip asymmetry), alar base reduction for patients with wide or flaring nostrils, and correction of mild nasal deviations. Nasal sculpting involves direct cartilage reshaping, cartilage grafting from the septum to support or project the tip, and in some cases osteotomies (controlled fracture and repositioning of the nasal bones) to narrow the bony nasal vault. Procedures run approximately 1–2 hours. Post-operatively, a splint is worn over the nose for approximately one week, bruising and swelling peak in the first week, and the majority of visible swelling resolves over one to two months — though tip refinement may continue for up to one year. Pricing is by consultation.