Five Myths About Rhinoplasty

In 2013, rhinoplasty was one of the top five plastic surgery procedures, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Although more than 220,000 people had the procedure performed last year, a number of myths and misconceptions remain. If you’re considering rhinoplasty, learning the truth is a must for your peace of mind and your safety.

Anyone Can Do It

Technically, yes, any surgeon can perform rhinoplasty or other types of plastic surgery. Whether you want any doctor performing the surgery on your nose is a different question entirely. Rhinoplasty is a very complicated surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon not only has to think about the way your nose will look afterwards. He or she is also thinking about preserving the function the nose, i.e. making sure you can still breathe through it well.

It’s important to find out as much as you can about your rhinoplasty surgeon, before the procedure. You want a doctor who is board certified, has ample experience performing the surgery and has the pictures and patient reviews to prove it. Don’t be afraid to ask to see before-and-after pictures or to ask to talk to past patients before you choose a surgeon. It’s your nose. You should know as much about the person who’s about to alter it.

You Can Get Any Nose You Want

Some people think that having nose-reshaping surgery performed means they can show the surgeon a picture of any nose and end up with that exact nose. The reality is a bit more complicated than that, as everyone has a different face and the nose that looks stunning on one individual might not work on another.

You can bring a photograph of a nose you like to your surgical consultation, and your surgeon may use that picture as an inspiration when shaping your new nose. But, you should know that you won’t leave the procedure looking like the spitting image of the nose you bring in. In some cases, the nose you think is perfect for your face might not suit it at all. Your surgeon can recommend the changes to make to your own nose to make it the best fit your facial features.

Rhinoplasty Is a Result of Vanity

Another unfortunate myth that persists about rhinoplasty is that it is only for people who are vain or super conscious about their looks. While some people consider rhinoplasty out of vanity, there are plenty of other reasons for the procedure.

One common reason is to improve the way the nose functions. Some people are born with a deviated septum, which can make it difficult to breathe through the nose. After years of coping with a less than perfect nose, a person with a deviated septum might finally decide to have septoplasty and rhinoplasty performed to correct it. A person might also need to have rhinoplasty to correct the appearance of their nose if it was broken in an accident or if it was injured playing sports.

Your New Nose Will Look Fake

The major benefit of having an experienced doctor perform rhinoplasty surgery is that the results from the procedure should look natural. When rhinoplasty is well done, only the people you told about the surgery should be able to tell that you’ve had work done, and then they’ll only know because you told them.

Your New Nose Might Fall Off

The idea that rhinoplasty can make your nose fall off or that you can have so many nose surgeries that you need a detachable nose comes courtesy of the late pop singer Michael Jackson, a chatty juror at one of his trials, and a “witness” who claimed that the singer’s body had no nose. That Jackson’s nose was a little strange looking in his later years was no secret. But, the idea that his nose was actually fake and could be taken on and off was just a rumor.

After rhinoplasty surgery, the nose you end up with will be fully yours. It will be completely part of your face and will look as though you were born with it.

It seems as though new myths about rhinoplasty pop up every day. Double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Epstein specializes in rhinoplasty procedures and is available to set the record straight when it comes to the surgery. Dr. Epstein see patients at two practices in Florida and New York. Call (212) 759-3484 for an appointment in Manhattan or call (305) 666-5884 for a consultation in Miami.