Face · Surgical Care
Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) in Georgia
A nose that fits your face. Cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty performed by Dr. Michael Kluska in our accredited surgical center, with results you can see in our gallery at four months and beyond.
Procedure time
2 to 3 hours
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
or IV sedation
Setting
Outpatient
Back to desk work
7 to 10 days
Final results
3 to 6 months
What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is surgery that changes the shape or size of the nose by reshaping the bone and cartilage beneath the skin. It can reduce a bump on the bridge, narrow or lift the tip, narrow the nostrils, straighten a nose bent by injury, or correct a blocked airway, and often does several of these at once. Because the nose sits at the center of the face, a small, well-planned change makes the whole face look more balanced.
Rhinoplasty is as much an artistic procedure as a technical one. The goal is a nose that looks like it belongs on your face and that no one recognizes as surgical. Dr. Kluska plans each nose in relation to the chin, the forehead, and the eyes, and he will tell you when a small chin implant done at the same time would give a better profile than nose surgery alone.
Is rhinoplasty right for me?
You may be a candidate if:
- You have a bump, width, or droop in your nose that has bothered you for years
- Your nose was broken or injured and healed crooked
- You have trouble breathing through one or both sides of your nose
- Your facial growth is complete (usually 16 for girls, 18 for boys) and there is no upper age limit
- You are in good health, not smoking, and have realistic expectations
The most important part of a rhinoplasty consultation is agreeing on the goal. Dr. Kluska listens to what you want changed, then explains what is possible given your skin thickness, cartilage strength, and the shape of your other features. Patients with thick skin, for example, can have a bump removed easily but will see less tip definition than patients with thin skin, and it is better to know that beforehand.
Types of rhinoplasty at Aesthetic Arts
Cosmetic rhinoplasty. Reshaping the bridge, tip, and nostrils for appearance.
Functional rhinoplasty and septoplasty. Straightening a deviated septum, repairing collapsed nasal valves, or reducing enlarged turbinates to improve breathing. Often combined with cosmetic changes in one surgery (septorhinoplasty). Functional portions may be eligible for insurance coverage.
Closed rhinoplasty. All incisions are inside the nostrils; no external scar. Suited to bridge reduction and moderate tip work.
Open rhinoplasty. A small incision across the columella (the strip of skin between the nostrils) lets Dr. Kluska see and reshape the tip cartilage directly. The scar is a few millimeters long and fades to nearly invisible. Used for more complex tip work, revisions, and injuries.
Revision rhinoplasty. Correcting the result of a previous nose surgery done elsewhere. These are more complex and sometimes require cartilage grafts from the septum or ear.
Rhinoplasty with chin implant. A receding chin makes a nose look larger than it is. Adding a chin implant in the same session balances the profile and is one of the most common combinations in facial surgery. See Chin Implants.
What to expect
Surgery is performed in our surgical center in Commerce, GA, accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). It typically takes two to three hours.
Your consultation
Complimentary, at any office. Bring photos of noses you like and dislike; they help the conversation. Dr. Kluska examines the outside and inside of your nose, checks your breathing, and discusses what can realistically change. You leave with a written plan and quote.
Preparing for surgery
Stop nicotine four weeks before. Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood-thinning supplements two weeks before. Arrange a driver and someone to stay with you the first night.
The day of surgery
Surgery takes two to three hours under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Depending on the plan, incisions are inside the nostrils or include a small incision across the columella. Bone and cartilage are reshaped, the septum straightened if needed, and incisions closed with fine absorbable sutures. A small external splint protects the bridge, and soft internal supports may be placed. You go home the same day.
Recovery timeline
Nothing heals symmetrically or all at once. Rest with your head elevated, follow your instructions closely, and expect the timeline to vary somewhat from patient to patient.
- Day 1 to 3
Swelling and bruising around the eyes peak at 72 hours. Sleep elevated, use cold compresses, and breathe through your mouth if the nose feels stuffy. Discomfort is mild; most patients describe pressure more than pain. - Day 6
Splint and any internal supports are removed in the office. This is the first look at the new shape, still swollen. - Days 7 to 10
Most bruising is gone. Return to desk work. Glasses should rest on the cheeks or be taped, not on the bridge, for four to six weeks. - Weeks 3 to 4
Light exercise resumes. Congestion improves. - Month 3
About seventy to eighty percent of swelling has resolved. - Months 3 to 12
The tip continues to refine. Final result at about one year, sooner for patients with thin skin.
Results
Rhinoplasty before & after
View the face gallery
Individual results vary. Photos are of actual Aesthetic Arts patients and are shared with their permission.
Why patients choose Dr. Kluska for rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is widely regarded as the most technically demanding procedure in cosmetic surgery, and results depend on the surgeon’s judgment about proportion as much as on technique. Dr. Kluska trained in art before medicine and plans every nose in relation to the rest of the face. He performs both cosmetic and functional work, so breathing and appearance are addressed in one surgery rather than two.
Your surgeon
Dr. Michael Kluska, DO, FAACS, FACOS
Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon | Founder of Aesthetic Arts
Dr. Michael Kluska is triple board-certified in cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive, and general surgery, with over 25 years in practice specializing in full-face and body cosmetic surgery. He is a past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and an adjunct clinical professor of plastic surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Patient reviews
What Our Patients Say
★★★★★
If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, look no further—Dr. Kluska and his team are truly the best. I’ve had cosmetic procedures done over 20 years ago with other doctors, and I can honestly say that if Dr. K had been practicing back then, he would have been my first choice every single time.
Courtney · Google
★★★★★
I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Dr Kluska and his team. From the first consultation to the post-op check-ins, everything was handled with professionalism, care, and a genuine commitment to making me feel comfortable and informed. Dr Kluska has that rare combination of surgical skill and artistic eye that makes all the difference- you can tell he truly cares about achieving natural, beautiful results tailored to each individual.
Patient review · RealSelf
Cost and financing
The cost of rhinoplasty depends on how much reshaping your nose needs, whether it is combined with another procedure such as a chin implant, and the anesthesia and facility time involved. You will receive an all-inclusive written quote at your consultation
We work with four financing partners so you can spread the cost over monthly payments. Ask about your options at your consultation.
Start with a consultation
Meet with Dr. Kluska in Commerce, Buford, or Monroe to review your goals and what a rhinoplasty can realistically achieve for you.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question that isn’t here? Ask us directly.
How long does rhinoplasty recovery take?
The splint comes off at six days, most bruising is gone by ten days, and most patients are back at work within a week to ten days. About three quarters of the swelling is gone by three months, and the tip keeps refining for up to a year.
Is rhinoplasty painful?
Most patients describe it as congestion and pressure rather than pain, managed with prescribed medication for the first few days and over-the-counter relief after that.
Will I have black eyes?
Bruising around the eyes is common when the bridge is reshaped and usually fades within seven to ten days. Not every patient bruises.
Can rhinoplasty fix my breathing?
Yes. A deviated septum, narrow nasal valves, or enlarged turbinates can be corrected during the same surgery. The functional portion may be eligible for insurance coverage.
How much does rhinoplasty cost in Georgia?
Cost depends on the complexity of the reshaping, whether functional work is included, and whether it is a revision. You will receive an all-inclusive written quote at your consultation. Cherry financing is available.
Will there be a visible scar?
Closed rhinoplasty leaves no external scar. Open rhinoplasty leaves a scar a few millimeters long on the underside of the nose between the nostrils, which fades to nearly invisible.
How old do you have to be for a nose job?
Facial growth should be complete, usually around 16 for girls and 18 for boys. Earlier surgery may be considered for severe breathing problems. There is no upper age limit.
What is liquid rhinoplasty and is it an option?
Liquid rhinoplasty uses dermal filler to camouflage a bump or lift the tip temporarily. It cannot make a nose smaller and lasts about a year. Dr. Kluska offers both and will tell you which suits your nose.
Do you do revision rhinoplasty?
Yes. Revision cases are evaluated individually, and Dr. Kluska will explain what can be improved and what the limits are given the previous surgery.
Related procedures
Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to take the next step, we’re here to answer your questions and help you find the right path.