When you think of New York City, what comes to mind? Is it the bright lights, yellow taxis and skyscrapers? Maybe, it’s the fact that everything costs way more in NYC than anywhere else in the country. Although New York City is known for its habit of jacking up the prices on nearly everything within the city limits, we like to think that it is for good reason. Rhinoplasty in NYC is no exception.

Without question, the city is known around the world for being the hub for top-of-the-line talent and the very best quality in a number of fields, which can be a factor as to why things can be so expensive in this area.

With that being said though, don’t let the outrageous prices in NYC fool you into thinking everything is top of the line, especially when it comes to serious nasal procedures, like rhinoplasty surgery, for example. Make sure to do your research and only allow for experienced professionals who specialize in rhinoplasty procedures to come anywhere near your nose. In this blog, we’ll discuss all of the factors that play a part in the price tag for a rhinoplasty surgery in the New York City and New Jersey area.

Considering Cost: An Overview

There are many things to consider when discussing rhinoplasty with a surgeon – not the least of which is cost. Rhinoplasty is major surgery done with local anesthesia and sedation, or under general anesthesia for more complex procedures. The exact fees will vary based on how extensive the procedure is, which practitioner and facility you are using and whether there are any complications involved. The bill should break down each cost for you.

Main Factors That Can Affect Rhinoplasty Cost

The key to understanding the average cost of rhinoplasty is educating yourself on the different factors involved in your procedure. This is major surgery, so the cost should be broken down by the expense of each service provided.

1) Anesthesia Fees

Anesthesia costs range from $500 or more for a local anesthetic to $1,500-3,500 for a general anesthetic administered by an anesthesiologist. You should expect to pay:

  • An anesthesia provider fee, which is payment for administering the medication.
  • The facility anesthesia fee, which is payment for supplies, medication and hospital staff used during the administration.

Minimal IV sedation leaves the patient awake and in control of how much sedation they need. Moderate IV sedation, or Twilight sleep, leaves the patient asleep but able to move. Deep sedation means the patient may require some breathing assistance via a nasal or oral airway.

2) Cost of the Hospital or Surgical Center

A rhinoplasty is usually considered an outpatient procedure, so there is no overnight stay at a hospital; however, the procedure will be done in a medical facility that charges a fee.

In some cases, the doctor may decide to keep you in the hospital overnight. For example, if there are complications such as excessive bleeding, you will need to be under medical supervision. If you have a medical problem that may interfere with your healing, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you may require more extensive medical monitoring. This monitoring may include a day or more of hospitalization.

3) Medical Testing

Lab work would include routine pre-op tests done for all major surgeries. In general, the doctor will want a complete blood count (CBC) to measure levels of red and white blood cells, chem 7 to check to see how the kidneys work, liver function panel, coagulation study to make sure the blot clots normally and arterial blood gas to ensure blood oxygen levels are healthy. Lab tests gauge your overall health and alert the doctor of potential complications.

4) Post-Surgical Garments

The surgeon may ask you to wear a compression garment around the neck for a week or more to improve healing. In most cases, the doctor will apply a splint of some kind to protect the delicate nose structure as it heals. If there is a history of blood clots, you may even need more extensive compression garments to reduce risk.

5) Post-Op Medications

Post-op medications involve antibiotics to reduce the risk of infections, especially if you have a medical condition like diabetes. The doctor will suggest over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen if you need something to help manage the discomfort.

6) Surgeon’s Fee

The average cost of rhinoplasty will also include a bill from the surgeon for the reconstructive procedure itself. The amount depends on the experience and location of the surgeon. Primary rhinoplasty surgeon fees typically range from $6,000-10,000. Follow-up visits are usually included.

For some people, insurance will cover the bill in part or in full. This outcome will depend on your insurance company, the plan you purchase and why you need the surgery. If the rhinoplasty is part of a comprehensive plan to improve your breathing or is a medical necessity to unblock the airway, the insurance company might pay for the reconstruction and additional costs. You may be responsible for a copay or coinsurance fee to share part of that expense.

Why The Surgeon You Choose Matters When Considering Cost

The experience, educational background and the reputation of the surgeon matters, as do the tools at his or her disposal. A new surgeon still trying to build a client base would probably do the procedure for less than one who has been practicing for decades. An established surgeon may also have more advanced technology with state-of-the-art imaging equipment. Generally speaking, an emergency procedure done after trauma might cost more, as well.

Although the final bill is always something you want to think about, it is not your primary concern. You put a lot of trust in the surgeon during your reconstructive surgery, so take your time and do some research. Go online and look at reviews of the doctor and practice during the vetting process. Look for a surgeon that understands the importance of the doctor/patient bond. A board-certified professional should be willing to sit down with you and consider the pros and cons of having this procedure done, which includes the estimated average cost.

You also want someone willing to go that extra mile and provide you with realistic expectations. Pick a surgeon who is open with you about the expenses and what you can expect from your surgical procedure.

Factors About Your Surgeon that Influence Cost of Rhinoplasty

These factors all revolve around the surgeon that you choose. His or her expertise, location and experience all play a role in the final price tag. See some of these other surgeon-specific factors below.

  • Advanced training and experience: Look for an NYC or NJ rhinoplasty surgeon who operates a reconstructive plastic surgery practice, which ensures maximum expertise in the complicated yet delicate nasal anatomy. This will contribute to your excellent rhinoplasty results in NYC or NJ, even if your nose reshaping surgery is minor.
  • Credentials of your plastic surgeon for rhinoplasty: This includes official board certification in plastic surgery, top-level education and years of training at a renowned hospital or university medical center. Well-known hospitals maintain high standards in safety and successful outcomes for their surgeons, which should provide you with even more confidence that their skills are superior.
  • Staff and support: Top NYC/NJ plastic surgeons will always operate in an accredited surgery center, which meets the highest standard for patient care and safety. A top rhinoplasty specialist will always attract highly skilled medical staff, including top anesthesiologists (physicians) to work on his or her team. The anesthesiologist’s role is integral, as he or she will monitor and manage your condition through the entire rhinoplasty surgery, ensuring your comfort and the safest possible procedure.
  • Geographical costs: Here in NYC and NJ, you’ll encounter some of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in the entire United States. With that being said though, as hinted at earlier on in this post, this part of the country is notorious for jacking up the cost for things, which means surgical fees are likely to be higher than in other areas. If you choose to have surgery in NYC/NJ, you will pay a premium price, but will also end up with premium results. Consider choosing an elite rhinoplasty surgeon just outside of NYC (in Bergen County NJ) for an equal or superior level of experience and more personal attention, which can decrease your stress level and may even save you money.
  • Experience in rhinoplasty specifically: Your chosen NJ or NYC rhinoplasty surgeon must be one who dedicates most of their time to complex nasal surgeries and reconstruction. This is essential to your minimize your recovery time and provide a reliable surgical result you will love. For the following rhinoplasty success factors, there aren’t ways to officially check to see if your surgeon is certified or qualified in these areas, which means you are going to need to decide based on your meetings with your prospective surgeon.
  • Aesthetic abilities: Check out the surgeon’s prior rhinoplasty photos and/or talk to a recent patient to get a sense of if you’re on the same page about attractiveness, so to speak. A knowledgeable surgeon should be able to discuss what defines facial balance. He or she should also show that they understand what you personally are seeking for your rhinoplasty result.
  • Communication skills: Evaluate whether your surgeon spends adequate time with you to answer all of your rhinoplasty questions. Your surgeon should have a clear plan to achieve your surgical goals and articulate it well. This quality is free, but it’s a valuable advantage and worth searching for. If your surgeon is lacking, choose another surgeon for your rhinoplasty in NYC or NJ.
  • Dedication: (This is free, but it’s valuable and important to look for.) This is where trust comes in. Trusting and having the confidence of a great outcome from rhinoplasty is incredibly important to your success. Look for a rhinoplasty expert who genuinely wants to help you improve your life and get the nose you desire. If your goal is not realistic, your rhinoplasty surgeon will help you to understand the results you can expect instead. You should never go forward unless you both agree on the same goal.
  • Level of rhinoplasty complexity: At your surgical consultation, if it is a thorough one (again, a great surgeon will spend time with you), you’ll learn about the level of complexity of your procedure and the strategy necessary for your surgery will be planned with you. Longer, more complex procedures will mean more hours in the surgery center and additional cost. (However, an experienced surgeon works efficiently so you may spend less time recovering than if you had chosen a less experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.)

Is Bargain Rhinoplasty Really Worth It?

If you find a surgeon who offers a price tag for rhinoplasty that is much lower than most surgeons you have spoken to, ask yourself, “Why?” Often, this is because the surgeon is less experienced than most and hoping to attract patients. Check this surgeon’s record very carefully and don’t meet with him or her unless they have well-verified qualifications for a rhinoplasty surgeon in NYC and NJ, including:

  • Board certifications from the ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery) through the ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties.)
  • Valid and current license to practice medicine from the State of NY or NJ.
  • 10+ years of experience.
  • Focus on rhinoplasty (rather than offering all types of plastic surgery of the face and body.)
  • Reconstructive experience (this advanced experience ensures your surgeon deeply understands the form and function of the nose.)
  • Excellent results from past patients (look at “before and after” photos and talk to recent patients.) Ask the patients if their breathing is improved and if they got the look they wanted.
  • Leadership role in the field of rhinoplasty (such as a position as head of the department at a renowned local hospital, such as Hackensack University Medical Center.)

When you meet with NJ or NYC rhinoplasty surgeons, make sure they have:

  • The ability to discuss complex cases and complications—and describe how such cases are successfully handled.
  • Artistry (is the surgeon able to discuss the concept of classic beauty as well as individuality? Do most of the surgeon’s photos of patients appear appealing and attractive? Do their noses look appropriate—do the noses suit the faces? Do all the noses look “done,” artificial or too small? Or do the noses look natural and compliment the other facial features?)
  • Interest in you as a person and how your needs and goals differ from other patients.
  • Clear communication (shares details with you of how your specific surgery will be performed.)
  • Dedication (evaluate whether the surgeon seems honest and upfront, and whether you get the feeling that the surgeon wants to help improve your life.)
  • Easy-to-understand billing (if a surgeon has a much lower quoted price for rhinoplasty, it could be due to hidden fees.) Most experienced rhinoplasty surgeons include things like post-surgery follow-up visits for an entire year after surgery in their overall pricing. Most won’t send you a separate bill for the anesthesiologist’s services, etc. Your surgeon should be able to quote you a total bill for your surgery that includes the surgery center costs, anesthesia and follow-up—at the end of your consultation.

Consider These Crucial Intangible Costs of Rhinoplasty

Your total cost for a rhinoplasty procedure includes some intangible factors that are perhaps more important than the dollar figure long term.

  • Your time: You never want to have to redo your rhinoplasty procedure, so choose a surgeon you’ve done some research on and with whom you communicate well. Make sure he or she excels in all of the crucial factors mentioned throughout this post so that you never have to go back and fix your nose job.
  • The level of surgical risk: Even a top-level rhinoplasty specialist can never guarantee that there will be no risk or complications. Should any occur, however, a top surgeon, with excellent technique and years of experience, will know how to handle them to ensure the best possible result for you.
  • Your overall recovery experience: The best rhinoplasty surgeons in the field perform your surgery with recovery in mind. Elite surgeons operate efficiently, precisely and gently, so that you heal faster with, typically, with almost no pain.
  • A successful result from your rhinoplasty: If you’re not happy with your rhinoplasty results – that’s the biggest price you could pay. Choose only a top rhinoplasty surgeon, with years of experience, for results you are guaranteed to love.

Upfront Pricing for Rhinoplasty is a Bad Sign

Your surgeon should only quote a price after he or she has examined you, heard the details of your medical history and learned about your goals. If your surgeon advertises a price for rhinoplasty, this could mean that he or she will make your surgery (no matter how complicated or straightforward it may be) fit the price.

In other words, if your needs include a procedure that takes more time or is move complex, the surgeon might ignore those needs and just do whatever technique is fastest or simplest for him or her instead of what is best for you or right for you.

A dedicated surgeon will make the price fit the surgery. An experienced, talented and dedicated/caring surgeon will see what you want and need, make a plan and then worry about figuring the cost. With this surgeon, you can be sure that the cost will include exactly what you need to get the result you want safely and effectively.

This surgeon will think of price last, rather than first. That’s how you will end up with a rhinoplasty that is really worth it! When your result exceeds your expectations, your rhinoplasty will definitely be worthwhile, and you’ll feel that way every time you look in the mirror!

How to Save Money on Rhinoplasty in NYC and NJ

NYC and NJ are the same metro area, so it’s a good idea to consider northern NJ when you’re looking for the best rhinoplasty value for you. One way that we help patients learn about all of their options for rhinoplasty and save money at the same time is through our consultation program.

We are happy to meet with you to answer your questions about rhinoplasty and determine if you would be a good candidate to benefit from the procedure. Please contact us at Cohen/Winters Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery in Bergen County NJ to set up your no-risk consultation today.

At Cohen Winters in Bergen County, NJ, we are here to improve lives with plastic and reconstructive surgery. This is our calling, not just a job. We partner with our patients to achieve their goals and desires. Our commitment to creating the very best results for our patients doesn’t cost a penny extra. In fact, your consultation is completely free of charge. Simply contact us for an appointment.

revision rhinoplasty NJ

Dr. Winters

About Dr. Winters

Dr. Winters specializes in primary, revision, reconstructive, functional and teenage rhinoplasty surgeries. Dr. Winters is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and maintains active memberships in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery and others.