Things To Consider Prior to a Rhinoplasty
Rarely is it on a whim that a person decides to undergo cosmetic surgery to correct a nasal flaw.
For most rhinoplasty patients, it’s a decision long in the making. Perhaps it came about after years of teasing in grammar school for having a pug nose. Maybe one day the patient looked long and hard in the mirror and had finally grown tired of having a hooked nose or a nose that bent too much to the left or to the right for his or her liking.
There are any number of personal reasons for having cosmetic rhinoplasty. That’s when you must ask yourself: Are my personal reasons good, rational ones? Getting a nose reshaping procedure can be done for “defensive” reasons, for instance to avoid ridicule or teasing about the shape or size of one’s nose. Some people may be preoccupied with the shape of their nose because they feel it doesn’t measure up to certain prevailing standards of beauty. Then there are people who undergo one nasal procedure after another for reasons of “perfection” or pure vanity.
Are these reasons really good enough to seek out the counsel of a qualified cosmetic surgeon? It’s not an easy call to make objectively, because every patient has undergone a process of self-reflection and self-evaluation when it comes to the appearance of the nose. Patients considering cosmetic surgery to fix a long-standing nose flaw should always keep in mind that rhinoplasty is a highly skilled surgical procedure, one with a certain margin of error, however slight.
Rhinoplasty is a wonderful tool but it’s results are never perfect. Patients should always keep their personal goals and anticipated results in realistic perspective. The results can be excellent – works of art, according to some patients. But the most a patient can hope for are results that are both subtle and natural and in harmony with other facial structures. In some cases, a single surgery may not be enough to achieve the full results. If you’re expectations are too high, disillusionment may be the result.
Moreover, not all plastic surgeons are made equal. Some have more experience and training in certain cosmetic procedures than others. Some have more of an artistic eye. For this reason, the patient is always advised to look at several surgeons before choosing the best possible surgeon to meet his or her needs.
Creating a list of “pros” and “cons” for deciding to have cosmetic rhinoplasty can help you make your final decision. Do you really need the surgery? Is it possible to go on living with a nasal flaw, or is a corrective procedure your best option? Will it finally give you peace of mind, boost your confidence, enhance your self-esteem?
Historically the most common method for performing rhinoplasty was rhinoplasty reduction, it’s overall size. While this is still often the case, today more emphasis is placed on achieving a well-balanced nose that fits harmoniously with the other features of the face, ethnicity, and size of the individual. The most common complaint in people who wish to undergo nasal reshaping is that their nose is too ‘big’
Do not let vanity or fantasy be your guide. Be practical. Be realistic, but most of all, be proactive. A qualified nasal plastic surgeon can help you decide whether you are a candidate for rhinoplasty and explain the risks as well as the rewards.
Dr. Andrew S. Frankel is a board certified facial plastic surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty at the Lasky Clinic, 201 South Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills, California. Call (310) 552-2173 for a consultation.
