What I Wish I Knew Before Rhinoplasty
Deciding to undergo nose surgery (rhinoplasty) is a significant one, just as it is with other facial plastic surgery procedures. Most people who want to change the size and shape of their noses do so after many years of unhappiness. Even though your feelings may be strong, learning more about rhinoplasty before making decisions is crucial.
As part of her commitment to patient education, Dr. Susan Tan, MD, the founder and medical director of Hawaii Plastic Surgery in Honolulu, is pleased to offer the thoughts and perspective below. If you’re contemplating nose surgery, reading and considering her advice on several related topics is helpful.
Advice and Information from Dr. Tan
- Be specific and clear about what you want to change. The ideal nose is in the eye of the beholder. Plastic surgeons can reshape the nose to suit your appearance preferences, but your goals need to be clearly discussed, understood, and agreed on in advance.
- Be prepared for the recovery. It can take up to a year to see the final and complete results. Any significant swelling will subside, and considerable improvement will be visible. However, some swelling may occur on and off for six to twelve months. Additional subtle improvements will occur even beyond one year, depending on your body and the extent of your procedure.
- Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty are not the same. Some patients who have difficulty breathing may require surgery to correct a deviated septum – an operation called septoplasty. The technique is different from cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty). However, some people have breathing issues and cosmetic concerns. For them, finding a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist who can improve nasal function and appearance simultaneously is best.
- When fully healed, the nose should appear natural. When surgical rhinoplasty is done well, no one will be able to tell. It should enhance the appearance naturally and make changes that allow the nose to blend in with the rest of the face.
- The prognosis is excellent. In the right hands, nose surgery has a high success rate and excellent patient satisfaction levels.
How Can Rhinoplasty Improve the Nose?
The nose is the most prominent facial feature in the opinion of many, and for anyone unhappy with theirs, it has a significant effect. Therefore, nose surgery addresses many aspects of size and shape. It’s also crucial to be done holistically with the face so that the improved nose complements the face.
- Decrease length or size if they are excessive
- Refine the general shape or nasal tip
- Reduce a dorsal hump to refine your profile
- Resize the nostril if it is too large
- Restore a previously broken or crooked nose
As Dr. Tan mentioned earlier, being clear about appearance goals and explaining them is crucial. There is an art and science to rhinoplasty, and thorough communication ensures that the final outcome matches the desired look. It’s important for patients to be educated and make decisions after careful thought.
Many people also begin their journey with non-surgical cosmetic nose treatments such as injectable dermal fillers to “test out” subtle changes before deciding on nose surgery.
Learn More About Your Options
The best way to learn more about your options is to schedule an initial consultation. You’ll meet Dr. Tan and be invited to discuss your concerns and goals in our welcoming, confidential concierge clinic. We’re conveniently located and easy to reach from anywhere in Oahu.
Dr. Tan is Honolulu’s only fellowship-trained, double-board-certified female facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Our clinic is patient-centered, and our surgical procedures and non-surgical treatments are at the leading edge. This means our patients enjoy the benefits of the latest techniques and technology to improve the outcome of every treatment.
If you’d like to make an improvement to your appearance and are considering rhinoplasty, it’s an excellent idea to make an appointment to visit us at Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery to learn more.
