Don’t Like Your Nose? Here’s Why
By the expert in cosmetics Mike Dune
One of the most common cosmetic complaints in the aesthetic industry is for a person to dislike his or her nose. Also common though, according to many plastic surgeons, is for such a person to not be able to explain what exactly the problem is.
Rhinoplasty is among the most complex procedures in the aesthetic world, so it’s crucial for surgeons to pin down exactly what their patients’ concerns are. If you have ever considered getting a nose job, it’s in your best interest to do some research and try to figure out what bothers you. Follow these steps to determine what you don’t like about your nose.
Learn the Language
In order to identify your concerns, you will need to know the right terminology. Although a plastic surgeon probably won’t require you to know terms such “columella” (the strip of flesh between your nostrils), it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the words you might hear at a rhinoplasty consultation. It’s a lot easier to get on the same page with a surgeon when you are speaking the same language.
Review Common Concerns
Start doing some research online about rhinoplasty. A good jumping off point is user forums such as RealSelf, where past patients and others considering procedures share their experiences and thoughts. Once you delve into the stories of others, it’s likely something will strike a chord and remind you of yourself. On these forums, you’ll find common concerns about crookedness, asymmetry, a bulging tip, wide nostrils, and so on. Chances are, you’ll be able to find another person out there to whom you can relate.
Sift Through Photos
Once you believe you are narrowing down your concerns, you can start to think about how they might be fixed. This is a good time to begin reviewing before-and-after photos of rhinoplasty patients, like those on Dr. Timothy R. Miller’s rhinoplasty page. A quality gallery will feature several cases of patients with different concerns, and you should be able to find examples of noses that look similar to your own. Note the differences between the before photos and the after photos to get an idea of the kind of improvements that might be possible in your case. Review lots of photos on several different sites, and print pictures out so you can use them later.
Consultation Time
Once you have some photos of patients you think share your concerns, bring them to a qualified rhinoplasty specialist. Finding the right doctor for you is another process that will take time, but you should feel comfortable meeting with multiple surgeons until you find one who makes you feel at ease. By this time, you should be able to explain some of your concerns with your nose, and you can use the photos you have gathered to illustrate what you mean. Many patients are surprised to realize how much a consultation with a qualified surgeon can help them find the words to describe their issues. This is the feeling you should get when you meet with a plastic surgeon — a confidence that you and your doctor are on the same page. When you can work together to plan your procedure, you are far more likely to be satisfied with the outcome.
