Changing the shape or size of the nose is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures year in and year out in the U.S. As a rhinoplasty specialist in Orlando, I’ve performed hundreds of “nose jobs” for women and men. Most patients arrive for their consultations already generally familiar with rhinoplasty but have questions about the specific procedure.
Few people, however, know about rhinoplasty’s history and the fact that many patients benefit from what is sometimes called functional rhinoplasty — procedures that can improve breathing, in addition to changing the nose’s aesthetics. With that in mind, I think it would be interesting to take a look at 6 things you may not know about rhinoplasty.
1. When someone thinks about rhinoplasty, usually the idea of molding or shaping comes to mind. The term “plastic surgery” can trace its roots to the Greek word “plastikos”–meaning to mold or shape or relating to molding or shaping.
2. Modern plastic surgery emerged after World War I. But rhinoplasty is hardly that recent—in fact it’s ancient. The first rhinoplasty was performed in 800 B.C. in Egypt and India. Luckily, there have been countless surgical advancements since these early procedures.
3. Rhinoplasty’s popularity, likewise, is not a recent phenomenon. The procedure has been a crowd favorite for decades, and it was the 2nd most common cosmetic procedure performed in 2016—only behind breast augmentation. The nose is the focal point of the face, so it makes sense that patients want to enhance it.
4. The procedure can technically be performed on patients as young as 14 for girls and 15 for boys—the typical age of skeletal maturity. However, I recommend and prefer that young women wait until they are at least 15 and young men wait until they’re 16 before undergoing nose surgery.
5. I may use cartilage and skin from other parts of the body, but only when needed, to elongate the nose or to reconstruct a nose that is damaged. I create customized surgical plans that fit the different needs of my patients.
6. As I mentioned earlier, rhinoplasty is often performed for reasons that aren’t related to a patient’s appearance. Many patients opt for nose surgery when they have a deviated septum or damage caused by cancer, birth defects, or accidents.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex procedures performed by plastic surgeons. It takes extreme skill and precision. Most of the time, patients only want subtle changes, so the procedure only allows a minuscule margin of error. Because of this, it is important to find a board-certified surgeon with years of experience doing nose surgeries. I encourage you to check out the gallery of rhinoplasty before-and-after photos of my actual patients. This can give you a good idea of results that you can achieve with rhinoplasty.
Whatever your reasons for seeking rhinoplasty, make sure you are doing it for yourself. If you believe a rhinoplasty or another procedure will boost your confidence and have other benefits, schedule a consultation to explore your options. We are here to help you reach your aesthetic goals!
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