Rhinoplasty has long been one of the more popular facial plastic surgery procedures among both men and women. In 2013, it was the most commonly performed surgery on male patients, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. More than 57,000 male patients had rhinoplasty performed last year. While there are a lot of similarities between male and female patients when it comes to nose reshaping surgeries, certain features of the male face and certain societal expectations make the surgery slightly different.
Nose Size and Shape
One way that rhinoplasty can vary between male and female patients is in the size and shape of the nose. Male patients generally want different things than female patients, as the standards of beauty are different for men than for women. The big differences between male noses and female noses is the size of the nose overall and the shape of the tip.
Usually, men who are considering rhinoplasty want a larger or stronger looking nose. A smaller nose on a male patient can look feminine. For that reason, a surgeon might make the nose a bit wider or make the nostrils flare more when operating on a male, but do the opposite when operating on a female.
The angle of the tip of the nose differs between male and female patients, too. Typically, a tip that is turned up at an angle of 105 degrees is considered attractive and ideal on a female patient. But, on a man, the ideal angle of the nasal tip is about 90 degree, or no more than 95 degrees. The angle of the tip is also related to the height of the bridge of the nose. The higher the bridge, the less inclined the tip should be, to keep the two in proportion to each other. Men typically have higher nasal bridges and less of an inclined nasal tip.
Before the Surgery
There are a number of ways men can prepare for rhinoplasty. A consultation with the surgeon is a must for both patient and surgeon. During that initial consultation, the surgeon will review the man’s medical history and health and discuss what he can expect from the procedure. A man can also look at before and after pictures of other male patients to give him an idea of what a rhinoplasty can do.
The surgeon will most likely take pictures of the man’s nose. These are important not only for the “before” shots, but also so the doctor can use computer imaging to give a man an idea of what his nose might look like after surgery. Computer imaging helps both patient and surgeon get on the same page and provides the patient with a visual reference, so that he can see if the likely results from a nasal surgery line up with what he was hoping to get from it, then provide his surgeon with this feedback.
Recovery and After the Surgery
Listening to the orders or advice of the surgeon is the best way to guarantee a speedy, uneventful recovery after surgery. It’s important that the patient have someone to help him immediately after the procedure. That means having someone to drive him home, stay with him overnight and generally assist him. It can be difficult to ask for help, but it’s an essential part of the recovery process.
A surgeon will most likely give a patient a list of things to avoid in the first few weeks after surgery. It’s important that a man take the list to heart. Trying to exercise or play a sport before the doctor says it’s okay to do so can affect the results of the surgery or lead to the nose being injured.
Triple board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Epstein specializes in rhinoplasty, including both primary and revision procedures. Dr. Epstein sees patients, both male and female, in both New York City and Miami. To learn more about your rhinoplasty options, schedule a consultation with him today. Call (212) 759-3484 for an appointment in New York City. Call (305) 666-1774 for a consultation in Miami.
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