Diary of a Nose Job: Custom Rhinoplasty Surgery
April 15th, 2015
I don’t like my nose, can you change it? Yes and plastic surgeons most often want to give you the results that you want. I really think this stems from a profound sense of responsibility regarding patients that are placed in a physician’s care. This responsibility is firmly instilled in residents during plastic surgery training. Within the specialty of elective cosmetic surgery, choice plays a bigger role than surgeries of a more critical emergency nature. In an elective cosmetic setting, both the surgeon and their patient have the luxury of time to consider their options. Rhinoplasty, frequently referred to as “Nose Job” is one such surgery where many options might be considered. Patients frequently bring in pictures saying, “I want my nose to look like this.” While choices are many, several factors dictate whether this nipntuck request represents realistic expectations. It is important to understand the possibilities and limitations presented by the anatomy of a particular nose, the aesthetics of the individual facial structure and desires of the patient. These physical findings represent many of the factors that are involved in designing a nose surgery. No two noses are alike.
Modern rhinoplasty philosophy and techniques do give us a vast number of combinations with regards to a specific nose surgery. We are able to either increase or decrease the size of any part of your nose. For example, a surgeon might increase the height of the bridge of the nose, while decreasing the width of the tip. These techniques comprise my particular surgical plan customized for each patient. However, these techniques are not as precise as sculpting a piece of metal or clay, but this surgery has high patient satisfaction. Before/After photographs will usually give you a sense of the surgeon’s personal skill. Several of my patients have shared their experience with having a rhinoplasty or nose job.
My patient, Lisa, graciously contributed her own rhinoplasty recovery diary to share on our blog. Besides writing a day-to-day account of her healing process, she also agreed to have her rhinoplasty surgery filmed. Click here to read Lisa’s blog and see her After Photo. Watch some film clips of actual surgery.
Next week: Jessie tells her nose story.
Illustration by the Italian Master, Leonardo Davinci
Does Nose Job Impact Self-Esteem?
December 9th, 2013
Rhinoplasty or nose job is one of the most common elective plastic surgery procedures, second only to breast surgery in popularity. Nose surgery is most often used to reduce the size of the nose, to change the shape or angle of the tip or to straighten the nasal bridge. According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), almost 245,000 patients had elective nose re-shaping surgery. Some of my happiest patients are those that have had rhinoplasty surgery. Jesse is one of those patients we followed on our blog. We filmed her surgery and she wrote all about her own experience. She was moved with tears of joy as I took off her splint and showed her the result. I was touched by her reaction and pleased that she was so happy with the result. You can check out her video, just click here.
Does a nose job substantially impact or reflect change in self-esteem? A recent study revealed that getting a “nose job” might do more than researchers first realized to improve someone’s looks. The study, which appears in the February issue of the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, suggests that the procedure may also make patients appear younger on average. Dr. Michael Olding, chief of plastic surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine, questioned whether it’s the remodeled nose, or the patient’s new outlook. “Patients usually come back happier, with more of a smile on their face,” he said. I happen to agree with Dr. Olding. I have observed that my patients often experience a boost in self-confidence after undergoing cosmetic surgery nipntucks. I believe that self-image is powerful in forming the conception that one has of oneself, to include assessment of qualities and personal worth. The saying, “To look good…is to feel good” does seem to have some validity in this regard.
Watch Jessie’s surgery: click here Read more of Jessie’s story: click here
Image: from Leonardo da Vinci: Studies of the Human Body and Principles of Anatomy
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