How to Ensure Your Rhinoplasty Expectations are Realistic 

All opinions are mine and mine alone.

How to Ensure Your Rhinoplasty Expectations are Realistic 

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed. It is used to correct breathing problems, repair trauma to the nose, and correct asymmetries, but its most common application is to simply change the shape of the nose. Most individuals who seek rhinoplasty are unhappy with how their nose fits into the rest of their face. Before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, patients need to develop realistic expectations as to the outcome of the procedure. 

 The nose is the central focal point of the face 

 While it is popular to talk about the eyes being what people notice first about an individual, in actual fact, the nose is the center focal point of the face. The shape and size of the nose define a person’s facial aesthetics. In particular, the balance between the nose and the rest of the face can significantly alter an individual’s appearance. 

In addition to correcting obvious bumps, humps, depressions, and asymmetries, a “nose job” can completely alter all aspects of the nose’s appearance. The size of the entire nose can be altered, the height and width of the bridge can be changed, and the tip of the nose can be changed in any way imaginable.  

The goal is balance and improved harmony  

In fact, the many possibilities rhinoplasty offers is part of its challenge. In addition to the technical complexity of the procedure, the surgeon and patient must work closely together to ensure the final results meet the patient’s expectations and desires. Daniel G. Becker, expert nose surgeon in the Princeton area of New Jersey, notes that rhinoplasty is a complex procedure, but among the available cosmetic surgery procedures, it has the greatest potential to significantly improve facial aesthetics. 

Conversely, if a patient has unrealistic expectations and the surgeon goes along with them, the facial harmony of the patient can be seriously impaired. The many possibilities provided by rhinoplasty need to be carefully considered to produce a natural, aesthetically pleasing appearance. 

 There is no “perfect” nose  

When considering rhinoplasty, the most important thing to keep in mind is that there is no such thing as the “perfect nose”. The nose you admire on your favorite actor only looks good in its current setting because it is in balance with the rest of the actor’s face. Re-creating that nose in someone else’s face would be a disaster because it would not fit in with the rest of the face and would look jarring and artificial.  

Another aspect patients need to keep in mind is ethnicity. Each ethnic group tends to have certain defining characteristics reflected in the shape of the nose. A patient who for whatever reason wants all traces of their ethnicity removed from their nose may not be very pleased with their “ethnic-anonymous” new look. Good plastic surgeons can retain ethnic characteristics in the nose while improving the balance between the nose and the rest of the face. 

 It won’t fix the rest of your face, however  

Rhinoplasty, is, obviously, surgery on the nose. While adjustments to the shape and size of the nose can make other parts of the face look slightly different, even the best nose job can’t compensate for other facial features that are not considered to be aesthetically pleasing, like a weak, receding chin, a sagging brow, or deep hollows under the cheeks. Thus, patients need to have realistic expectations as to what a nose job can achieve. If the patient is not very happy about other aspects of their facial appearance, it is possible to perform other cosmetic work at the same time the rhinoplasty is performed. 

 It won’t change your personality  

Some people who suffer from low self-esteem due to embarrassment about the appearance of their nose go into rhinoplasty thinking it will completely transform their life and personality. While the new self-confidence that can manifest after rhinoplasty may enable the patient to become more social and outgoing, a rhinoplasty will not change your personality, magically allow you to meet your soul-mate, or somehow endow you with amazing dancing or conversational skills. Patients who have unrealistic expectations in this regard are bound to be disappointed with their results. 

 Yes, there is a recovery period

Patients also need to be realistic about the recovery period. A rhinoplasty, especially one during which extensive changes are made to the nose, is major surgery. Bones may be cut, tissues are rearranged, grafts may be placed and so on. Rhinoplasty isn’t something you do on the weekend and then return to work on Monday looking glamorous. In general, patients should plan to take at least an entire week off work and their regular activities to heal properly. Bruising and extensive swelling is likely to be visible into the second week after the procedure, and there may be some minor not very visible swelling that persists for many weeks. Full healing may take six months or longer, depending on how extensive the reconstruction was.  

How to ensure your results match your expectations  

The most important factor in being really happy with your rhinoplasty results is being very direct and upfront with your surgeon during the pre-surgery consult. Bring pictures of noses you like, and describe to your surgeon in detail what you do and do not like about your nose. The surgeon can use imaging software to show you what your face will look like with various changes to the shape of your nose. Ask lots of questions and be sure you and the surgeon are in full agreement as to what you want your nose to look like. Patients who go into rhinoplasty with realistic expectations tend to be extremely happy with their new look.