Planning your rhinoplasty seems pretty straightforward. You have an issue with your nose that you’d like to correct, so you seek out an expert facial plastic surgeon for an initial consultation. A date gets marked off on your calendar. It sounds easy enough, but that’s not all there is to it, especially not for you as the patient. Whenever you plan cosmetic changes through plastic surgery, another important factor must be addressed: your expectations for surgery. By failing to thoroughly discuss your desired aesthetic goals with your surgeon, you’re risking a disappointing outcome. The first step, of course, is to understand what you’re really hoping to achieve from your rhinoplasty procedure.

Defining Realistic Rhinoplasty Expectations

The results of your nose job surgery can be as subtle or dramatic as you want. Some patients want to have a smaller nose, some bigger. Other requests might include changes to improve breathing, resizing the nostrils, correcting an injury, or eliminating a hump. Rhinoplasty procedures can be customized to address a wide range of diverse concerns, helping patients to find new confidence and better self-esteem.

Of course, not all of these changes are appropriate for every patient. Each person’s facial features, nasal features, and proportions will dictate the changes that are best suited to their needs. For example, a replica of your favorite celebrity’s nose might look great on his or her face, but it might be all wrong for your own. The expectations you have for your own surgery must take your existing features into account in order to allow your results to look as natural as possible.

What can impact the outcome of your nose job?

Various factors can impact the final result of a rhinoplasty procedure.

One of the most significant factors in achieving successful rhinoplasty results is the architecture of the nose. The structure of the nose can vary greatly from person to person, and factors such as the thickness of the nasal skin, the shape and size of the nasal bone and cartilage, and the width and position of the nostrils can all impact the outcome of the procedure.

Another critical factor in determining the outcome of rhinoplasty is the healing process and timeline. While rhinoplasty is relatively safe surgery, it is still a surgical procedure that involves incisions and tissue manipulation. As such, it can take several weeks or even months for the swelling to subside and the nose to settle into its final shape.

The removal of the cast after surgery is also an essential factor in the healing process. The cast is typically worn for about a week following the procedure to help protect the nose and keep it in the desired position. After the cast is removed, the nose may appear swollen and bruised, leading some patients to become concerned about their final results.

Residual swelling is another factor to be aware of and can affect the final outcome of the procedure. Even after the initial period of recovery, some swelling may persist for several months or even up to a year. Therefore, it’s essential to be patient and allow time for the swelling to subside fully.

Excessive physical exertion or emotional stress during the recovery from rhinoplasty can also impact the healing process and, as a result, the final outcome of the rhinoplasty. Patients must avoid engaging in strenuous activities during the initial recovery period and allow their bodies to heal properly.

Lastly, temperature changes can also affect rhinoplasty results. Exposure to extreme heat or cold can cause swelling and impact the healing process, leading to longer recovery times and potentially affecting the final outcome.

A Variety of Nasal Changes

Rhinoplasty surgery can focus on the entire nasal structure or a single part of it, depending on the patient’s concerns and the surgeon’s recommendations. Every surgical procedure is uniquely fitted to the patient’s expectations and needs.

Nasal changes could involve resizing or reshaping the nose, externally and internally.

Rhinoplasty can be performed for cosmetic or functional reasons and sometimes both at once. Common complaints from prospective rhinoplasty patients include a crooked nose, a bulbous or pointy nasal tip, nostrils that are too big or too small, a nose that points down or up at the tip, and a hooked nose, among others.

When it comes to functional rhinoplasty, these procedures involve making internal changes that can improve breathing and other nasal functions. A deviated septum, the cartilage that separates the nasal passageways, is a common problem for sinus blockages and severe breathing concerns. Procedures performed for functional reasons don’t always involve cosmetic changes, but they easily can at the patient’s request.

Guaranteeing Rhinoplasty Results

If you approach rhinoplasty with a surgical ideal in mind, you’re setting yourself up for a potential disappointment. Facial plastic surgeons can achieve pretty incredible things through modern rhinoplasty techniques, but there are limitations to what should be expected. As mentioned before, forget about that celebrity nose; it’s a surgery that would involve changing perhaps your whole facial structure instead of just your nasal structure. The same goes for picking your perfect nose from a magazine. You’re better off having an open mind during your rhinoplasty consultation to hear what your cosmetic surgeon suggests is the “perfect” nose for you. With a better understanding of the procedure and a more thoughtful approach to your results, you’ve got a better chance of achieving your desired results and complete satisfaction.

As far as guaranteeing those results goes, keep in mind that rhinoplasty is a highly complicated and complex surgery requiring expert knowledge, experience, and top-notch skills. To get the best results you can, start with the best facial plastic surgeon to plan your surgery. While you can’t get a guarantee on any surgery you’ll have, choosing your surgeon wisely is your best chance for success.

When Rhinoplasty Results Go Wrong

Whether your expectations were off-base or your surgery went awry, unsatisfactory results from your rhinoplasty can be difficult to deal with. Sometimes, even patients with the most realistic expectations are unhappy with the final results. Of course, you can certainly make additional changes through a secondary surgery called revision rhinoplasty. This procedure is similar in nature to your first rhinoplasty, but even more attention will be paid to the details missed by the last surgery. There are many reasons patients seek out revision rhinoplasty, all of which can be addressed at a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Just remember that you’ll need to have realistic expectations for your revisions too!

Plan Realistic Nasal Changes Today

Your realistic expectations for rhinoplasty will become the foundation for your surgery. Your surgeon will become the foundation of your success, so consult with a recognized expert in facial plastic surgery to achieve your best results. Dr. Andrew Frankel is board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Ear Nose, and Throat). He is exceptionally well trained in the field of nasal surgery and has been recognized for his original research regarding vasculature to the nose and rhinoplasty’s effect on it.

Schedule your appointment today with a world-renowned facial plastic surgeon to guarantee your best rhinoplasty results.

Contact Dr. Frankel’s office, located at 201 Lasky Drive in Beverly Hills, California, by calling (310) 552-2173.