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Considering a nose job? Get the facts first

The rhinoplasty facts you need to know before your first consultation

Author: Michele Ellingsen June 29 2007

The reshaping of the nose can do much to enhance your looks as well as your body image. But of course, like other cosmetic procedures, you should not expect changes in your appearance to change your entire life. Still, our self-esteem is often affected by our looks, so it is not uncommon for certain parts of our anatomy to bother us. For men and women alike the nose is often a source of unhappiness. When the nose is out of proportion or has certain characteristics that make it less attractive to the eye, we often think about changing it.

The nose is the most prominent feature on our face so whether we are viewed head on or in profile, the nose is the center of attention. Typical nasal problems that are addressed through rhinoplasty operations are large noses ... a bump on the nose ... a nose that is too wide or is crooked ... a nose where the end is too large or hangs down ... and the "ski jump" nose. Sometimes a patient's nose has a combination of several of these concerns.

The best nose reshaping is one in which your nose still looks true to your ethnic background and to your facial bone structure. So it's important that you have reasonable expectations about what kind of result is surgically possible for your face.

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To flip through a magazine and pick out a nose shape that you would like to have is unrealistic. A very large nose simply can't be replaced with a very small one. You don't want to go to a surgeon where every nasal surgery result looks the same. You want to find a surgeon who knows how to create a more normal and beautiful nose that is right for you.

When you visit a board-certified plastic surgeon and talk to him or her about nasal surgery there are some basic points to explore. First and foremost you want to see actual "before and after" photographs of that doctor's patient results. Then, as a tool to assess your surgeon's skills, you want to know how long the surgeon has been in practice and how much of his or her practice involves nasal surgery.

You'll also want your surgeon to offer "imaging." Through imaging, the doctor uses computer software to create - on an image of your own face - a picture of what is reasonably achievable for you, both face-on and in profile. With the help of this visual aid, you'll have a clearer understanding of what your final results will be, eliminating nasty surprises and disappointments.

If you are considering rhinoplasty, be sure to thoroughly research all the most common procedures so you'll know exactly what you're asking for and what your surgeon is recommending. The more you know about rhinoplasty, the better your choices will be.

Note: The specific risks and the suitability of nasal surgery for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation with a surgeon. All procedures have some degree of risk. The information provided here is not a substitute for a consultation.

About the Author

Michele works at the La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre in San Diego, California, where you can get more essential facts about the procedures performed during cosmetic surgery.

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