People get rhinoplasty to repair their nose after an injury, to correct breathing problems or a birth defect, or because they’re unhappy with the appearance of their nose.

Possible changes that your surgeon can make to your nose through rhinoplasty include:

• a change in size
• a change in angle
• straightening of the bridge
• reshaping of the tip
• narrowing of the nostrils

If your rhinoplasty is being done to improve your appearance rather than your health, you should wait until your nasal bone is fully grown. For girls, this is about age 15. Boys might still be growing until they’re a bit older. However, if you’re getting surgery because of breathing impairment, rhinoplasty can be performed at a younger age.

All surgeries carry some risks, including infection, bleeding, or a bad reaction to anesthesia. Rhinoplasty may also increase your risk of:

• breathing difficulties
• nosebleeds
• a numb nose
• an asymmetrical nose
• scars