Pick your nose! Nose Nipntucks
April 5th, 2012
Plastic surgeons most often want to give you what you want. I really think this stems from a profound sense of responsibility regarding patients placed in a physician’s care. This responsibility is firmly instilled in young residents during plastic surgery training.
Patients frequently bring in pictures saying, “I want my nose to look like this.†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.
Modern rhinoplasty philosophy and techniques do give us a vast number of combinations with regards to 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.
Unfortunately, these techniques are not as precise as sculpting a piece of metal or clay. In addition, your body will do some sculpting of its own while healing. On occasion, carefully placed cartilage grafts will be absorbed (lost) by your body, perhaps requiring revision surgery. Finally, complications can and do occur. Several of my patients have shared their experience with having a rhinoplasty or nose job.
Photo is Lisa during her recovery. Click here to read Lisa’s blog and see some film clips of actual surgery.
As the saying goes, “You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose!â€