Rhinoplasty, or more commonly known as nose surgery, is one of the most popular plastic surgeries. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it was the second most performed surgery in 2004. Its popularity is moving from the rich and famous to ordinary citizens. With this popularity of rhinoplasty comes a number of misconceptions. Some are true, some are doubtful, and some are entirely false.

In this article let’s try examine some of these misconceptions that are enveloping the field of rhinoplasty.

Any plastic surgeon can do Rhinoplasty surgery

Technically, yes. Most plastic surgeons will have rhinoplasty on their list of performed procedures. However, that doesn’t mean that every plastic surgeon can achieve good rhinoplasty results. Rhinoplasty is a challenging procedure, both from a medical, and an artistic point of view. A plastic surgeon must have a thorough understanding of the internal anatomy of the nose, and the workings of the respiratory system, so that the reshaped nose is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also fully functional.

Since the nose is such a major factor in our face’s overall appearance, the plastic surgeon also needs to have a strong sense of artistry, to create a nose that fits beautifully with the rest of the patient’s face.  Without these things, the rhinoplasty procedure might turn out to remind you of Michael Jackson!

Rhinoplasty is motivated by vanity

Despite the widely-held belief that people get nose surgery solely for cosmetic reasons, it’s not uncommon for this procedure to correct breathing problems (e.g. a septum deviation), in addition to enhancing the appearance of the nose. At the same time, it has been established that, patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their nose, having Rhinoplasty may lead to a physical and emotional transformation that will enhance their self-confidence and ultimately their quality of life. From this perspective, the effect of rhinoplasty is comparable more to a therapeutic treatment than a selfish gratification for the patient’s vanity.

Rhinoplasty is painful

Unlike other plastic surgery procedures, like breast implants or tummy tucks, rhinoplasty is not usually painful. Most surgeons perform rhinoplasty under general anesthesia, so you will be fully asleep and will not feel a thing. After the surgery, you will have a small nose cast for 7 to 10 days, during which you will most likely feel congested, as if having a cold. The area around your nose and eyes may be swollen and bruised (especially if your nasal bones have been reshaped); however, the overall discomfort you will experience after the surgery is minimal.

Everyone will notice you had a nose job

If your nose requires a major change – like removing a large bump – people around you might indeed notice the difference in your nose. However, if your nose needs only a refinement of the bridge or tip, chances are the perceived change in your appearance will be less dramatic than you anticipate. After all, nobody is as intimately familiar with your facial features as you are, so making a minor change to them may not be very obvious to the outside world. Also, keep in mind that a good surgeon will avoid providing you with an “operated-on looking nose”, and instead will strive to achieve a balance between your reshaped nose and the rest of your facial features, so they naturally complement each other.

Rhinoplasty will give you the nose of your dreams

While having rhinoplasty can dramatically improve the appearance of your nose, there are certain limitations to what a plastic surgeon can do, based on your given bone and skin structure. At the same time, there is a chance that you won’t be fully satisfied with the results of your surgery. Statistics show that between 10% and 15% of rhinoplasty surgeries require a secondary procedure, to either enhance, or correct the results of the first.

This is sometimes due to the nose healing and developing in ways that the surgeon cannot predict or control. In other cases, the patients’ dissatisfaction with the final results is due to poor communication with the doctor about the intended outcome of the surgery. However, this occurrence is an exception rather than the rule, since most patients are reported to be happier with their physical appearance after the surgery, than before.

In rhinoplasty, there are a lot of factors to be considered if you want to achieve the nose that you want. For one, you should research and carefully select your surgeon that will do the nose job. Make sure he or she has the needed skill to perform such surgery. It is also equally important for you and your surgeon to have a clear understanding of what you want your nose to look like, or what can be done as far as surgery is concerned.

With a clear knowledge of rhinoplasty, you will not be mislead by false concepts about this surgery. You will have a better approach when confronted with this subject. With a positive attitude, rhinoplasty can give you the confidence and new look you’ve always wanted.