Rhinoplasty In Austin, TX

The reaction from others should be subtle after your Rhinoplasty. It’s interesting that friends, family, and your “peeps” may know something is different about your appearance but not know why. Our eyes are trained to see the “unexpected”, so when the nose has nothing but normal features, it almost becomes invisible. People will notice a nose that is too large for your face, a big hump that is very noticeable on profile view, a tip that is wide and unrefined, or a crooked nose. Take care of these visible “unexpected” features, and the nose will disappear of sorts. This is the “art” of facial cosmetic surgery. It’s all about taking that “selfie” and enjoying what you see! Some noses are easier than others.

I always get excited when I know that changes can be made and the results are predictable and reliable. Patients with very thick skin or problematic anatomy pose a challenge for even the most experienced surgeons. Because of all the procedures I’ve performed at Westlake Plastic Surgery, it’s easier for me to inform patients about what they can reasonably expect after treatment. A Rhinoplasty surgeon can only work with the nose you give them. It’s generally not possible to shape a nose like your most beloved celebrity because of the limits of the tissues and the underlying bone and cartilage. Michael Jackson wanted something that was impossible and he paid a high price for his unrealistic expectations. The good news is that many patients have learned from his dilemma and their expectations are much more realistic.

A typical rhinoplasty needs to be a balanced procedure. It would be relatively uncommon to change one area and not include other areas, so the result is balanced and proportional. The best example is a procedure to refine the nasal tip alone without narrowing the nasal bones and adjusting the dorsum, so the result is smooth and even. As a general rule, a Rhinoplasty is a conservative procedure. Adjustments are made in millimeters and not big sweeping changes. This is something that experienced surgeons have learned over decades of observation. You want to avoid an “overdone” appearance. Worse, there can be a “ski jump” roof or an overly rotated nasal tip (pig nose) that nobody has time for!

The psychological adjustment to your new look is very dependent on your personality and expectations. It should never be a shock. You should see nice improvements immediately, and you should remind yourself that the nose takes quite some time before the finished product appears. You need to be patient as the healing process takes many months and isn’t over until about 2 years! It’s the gift that keeps giving because as the swelling subsides, the subtle features will become evident. The nose can develop some asymmetries during this time as swelling reduction can be uneven. This will equalize over time. Don’t torture yourself after your Rhinoplasty procedure by staring in the mirror. You will adjust to your new nose over time — be patient.