Is it better to have all procedures at once or separately?

For most patients, combining procedures into a single session is both safer and more practical — one anesthesia event, one recovery, and less total time away from work and family. Dr. Ferguson evaluates each patient individually and will recommend staging procedures if the total surgical time would be excessive or if health considerations warrant a more conservative approach.

How long should I wait after my last pregnancy?

Dr. Ferguson recommends waiting at least six months after delivery and at least three months after finishing breastfeeding. This allows your body to stabilize and gives your surgeon the most accurate picture of the changes that need correction.

Will my results last if I gain weight or get pregnant again?

A mommy makeover produces permanent structural changes — muscle repair, skin removal, and implant placement. However, significant weight gain or another pregnancy can alter your results. This is why Dr. Ferguson recommends that mommy makeover patients be done having children and at a stable weight.

How much does a mommy makeover cost in Honolulu?

Because every mommy makeover is custom-designed, the cost varies based on which procedures are included, surgical time, anesthesia, and facility fees. Dr. Ferguson's office provides a detailed cost breakdown during your consultation so there are no surprises.

Can I breastfeed after a mommy makeover?

If your mommy makeover includes breast augmentation, the ability to breastfeed is generally preserved, particularly with submuscular implant placement. However, because Dr. Ferguson recommends being done having children before a mommy makeover, this is rarely a concern.

When can I return to exercise after a mommy makeover?

Walking is encouraged from day one. Light exercise typically resumes at four to six weeks, with full activity including core work and strenuous exercise by eight to twelve weeks, as directed by Dr. Ferguson.

Rhinoplasty in Honolulu | Dr. John Ferguson, MD, FACS

Overview

Rhinoplasty is widely considered the most technically demanding procedure in all of cosmetic surgery. The nose is a three-dimensional structure of bone, cartilage, skin, and mucosa that must look balanced from every angle while maintaining the ability to breathe freely. This is why the surgeon you choose for rhinoplasty matters more than for almost any other cosmetic procedure, and why Dr. John C. Ferguson, MD, FACS, is uniquely qualified to perform it.

Dr. Ferguson is a quintuple board-certified cosmetic and facial plastic surgeon in Honolulu whose primary board certification is in Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. This means his foundational surgical training was focused on the precise anatomy of the nose, sinuses, and airway; the exact structures involved in rhinoplasty. He did not learn nasal anatomy as a secondary skill; he trained on it as the core of his surgical education. His subsequent certifications in facial plastics and cosmetic surgery added the aesthetic refinement that transforms technical ability into artistry.

For patients on Oahu and throughout Hawaii seeking rhinoplasty, whether for cosmetic improvement, functional correction, or both, Dr. Ferguson offers a combination of anatomical expertise and aesthetic judgment that is exceptionally rare. His training allows him to address not only how the nose looks but how it functions, treating the nose as the integrated structure it is rather than separating form from function.

Am I a Good Candidate?

You may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty if you are concerned about the size, shape, or proportion of your nose in relation to your other facial features; have a visible bump, asymmetry, drooping tip, wide nostrils, or other structural features you would like to correct; experience breathing difficulty due to a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or other internal nasal obstruction; have a previous rhinoplasty result that you are unhappy with (revision rhinoplasty); or have nasal deformity resulting from injury.

Good candidates are in overall good health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations. For cosmetic rhinoplasty, the nose should be fully developed, which typically means patients should be at least 15 to 16 years old.

The Procedure — What to Expect

Dr. Ferguson performs rhinoplasty at his AAAHC-accredited surgical facility in Honolulu, typically under general anesthesia. The procedure takes approximately one and a half to three hours depending on complexity.

Open Rhinoplasty

In an open rhinoplasty, a small incision is made across the columella (the strip of tissue between the nostrils) in addition to internal incisions. This approach provides full visualization of the nasal framework and is Dr. Ferguson’s preferred technique for cases requiring significant structural modification, tip refinement, or revision work. The external incision heals to an essentially invisible scar.

Closed Rhinoplasty

All incisions are made inside the nostrils, leaving no external scarring. This approach is appropriate for patients requiring less extensive modifications and offers slightly reduced swelling during recovery.

Functional and Aesthetic Rhinoplasty

Dr. Ferguson’s head and neck surgery training allows him to address functional problems , deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy, nasal valve collapse , simultaneously with cosmetic improvements. This combined approach means patients can achieve both the nose they want to see and the breathing they want to experience in a single procedure.

Revision Rhinoplasty

Revision rhinoplasty corrects unsatisfactory results from previous nose surgery. This is among the most challenging procedures in cosmetic surgery, as it involves operating in scarred tissue with altered anatomy. Dr. Ferguson’s deep understanding of nasal structure and his experience with complex reconstructive cases make him well-suited for revision cases in Honolulu.

During rhinoplasty, Dr. Ferguson may reshape nasal bone using precise osteotomies, refine and reshape tip cartilage, straighten a deviated septum, reduce or augment the nasal dorsum (bridge), narrow wide nostrils (alarplasty), and use cartilage grafts (from the septum, ear, or rib) to provide structural support.

Recovery and Results

Week 1: A nasal splint is applied and remains in place for approximately one week. Moderate swelling and bruising around the eyes and nose are normal and peak at days two to three. Most patients describe discomfort as mild congestion and pressure rather than significant pain. Breathing through the nose is temporarily compromised due to internal swelling and splints.

Weeks 2–3: The splint is removed, and the general shape of the nose becomes visible. Most bruising resolves by two weeks. Many patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities after splint removal, though the nose will still be swollen.

Weeks 4–6: The majority of visible swelling resolves. Patients can resume light exercise by three to four weeks and more strenuous activity by six weeks, per Dr. Ferguson’s guidance.

Months 3–6: The nose continues to refine as deeper swelling resolves. The tip of the nose, in particular, takes longer to reach its final shape due to the thicker skin coverage in this area.

Months 6–12+: The final result of rhinoplasty emerges over six to twelve months, with subtle refinement continuing for up to 18 months in some cases, particularly in patients with thicker nasal skin. The patience required is rewarded by a permanent improvement that lasts a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rhinoplasty improve my breathing?

If you have a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or nasal valve issues, Dr. Ferguson can correct these functional problems during rhinoplasty. His training as a head and neck surgeon means he does not treat cosmetic and functional nasal issues as separate problems, he addresses the nose as a complete structure.

What is the difference between a cosmetic rhinoplasty and a functional rhinoplasty?

A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes the appearance of the nose. A functional rhinoplasty corrects structural problems that impair breathing. Dr. Ferguson frequently combines both in a single procedure, which is a significant advantage of choosing a surgeon in Honolulu whose primary training is in head and neck surgery.

How long before I can see my final results?

While the majority of swelling resolves within three to six months, the final result of rhinoplasty takes six to twelve months to fully materialize, and in some cases up to 18 months for the nasal tip. Dr. Ferguson ensures that patients understand this timeline before surgery.

Can a rhinoplasty be revised?

Yes. Revision rhinoplasty corrects unsatisfactory results from prior surgery. It is a more complex procedure than primary rhinoplasty and should only be performed by a surgeon with extensive experience in nasal anatomy and structure. Dr. Ferguson recommends waiting at least twelve months after a primary rhinoplasty before considering revision to allow complete healing.

Will my insurance cover rhinoplasty in Hawaii?

Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not typically covered by insurance. However, if your surgery includes a functional component, such as septoplasty for a deviated septum, the functional portion may be eligible for insurance coverage. Dr. Ferguson’s office can help you navigate this process.

Does rhinoplasty leave visible scars?

With a closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are inside the nose and leave no visible scars. With an open rhinoplasty, the small incision on the columella heals to a nearly invisible line within a few months.

Why Choose Dr. Ferguson for Rhinoplasty

The surgeon’s training matters more for rhinoplasty than for virtually any other cosmetic procedure. Dr. Ferguson’s primary board certification in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery means the nose was central to his surgical education, not peripheral. He understands nasal anatomy from the inside out: the relationship between the septum and the external framework, the dynamics of nasal airflow, the behavior of cartilage grafts over time. His additional certifications in facial plastics, cosmetic surgery, and facial cosmetic surgery add the aesthetic dimension that transforms anatomical precision into beautiful, natural-looking results. For rhinoplasty patients in Honolulu and Hawaii, this combination of structural expertise and cosmetic artistry is unmatched.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ferguson at The Ferguson Clinic in Honolulu. Call (808) 521-1999 or book online.