Although many people have had rhinoplasties done recently, rhinoplasty procedure are still associated with a lot of myths. It is important that one understands which of these widely claimed “facts” are actually true and which are not. In this article, we will look at some of the common myths regarding rhinoplasty.
1: You can get any nose shape you want – MYTH
The goal of surgeons is to improve the patients’ nose, giving greater harmony in relation to the face and making them more beautiful.
The philosophy of rhinoplasty must be to maintain the individuality of people. We currently see a large number of surgeons posting results on social media in which all noses are essentially the same post-surgery for vastly different patient faces. This cookie-cutter treatment is a disservice to many patients because the truth is different facial features require different nose shapes in order to attain proper aesthetic harmony. There is no single type of beautiful nose and each person must have a nose suitable for their face.
Furthermore, depending on medical conditions and the underlying structures of a patient’s nose, there are inherent limitations on what can safely be done in a rhinoplasty. Keep in mind that a surgeon is not building a new nose out of nothing, but rather, is improving and enhancing the characteristics of your nose so to harmonize it with your face.
2: Rhinoplasty is very painful – MYTH
During the procedure you will not feel a thing as you will be under anesthesia. Furthermore, patients may experience some swelling and bruising after the surgery, but they do not usually complain of much pain in the postoperative period. Common painkillerslike NSAIDs are usually sufficient to relieve any discomfort that can occur during the first 2 weeks post-op..
3: It is possible to identify that you have undergone the procedure – MYTH
When a rhinoplasty expert perform this surgery with the principles of maintaining the harmonious individuality of the patient, the results will be completely natural in appearance and will be appropriate to the facial features and hereditary characteristics of the patients so that it is not possible to identify the patients who underwent rhinoplasty procedure.
4: Anyone can get the surgery, regardless of age – MYTH
In reality, plastic surgery of the nose should be performed after the complete development of the facial structures, which usually occurs between 16-18 years of age. After that age, rhinoplasty can be performed safely beyond that age.
5: The results are immediate – MYTH
In the first month after the surgery, there is edema (swelling of the nose) that can make it difficult to observe the results of the rhinoplasty, but some differences are already noticeable in the first few weeks post-op. Over time, the edema regresses and the results are better observed, but the final result can take from 6 months to 1 year to demonstrate.
6 – Rhinoplasty can be performed more than once – Partly Myth
Although a revision rhinoplasty (called secondary rhinoplasty) can be performed, in the first nose surgery the nasal structures are intact, so the plastic surgeon has an easier time obtaining the desired results. In subsequent surgeries (second or third time) it is more difficult to identify the structures and they may be altered by scarring and fibrosis, making the rhinoplasty more difficult. Thus, it is essential to perform the first surgery with a well-trained expert rhinoplasty surgeon.
7: Surgery can alter breathing – Truth
Rhinoplasty is not just a cosmetic surgery, and in many cases, it can be performed with the aim of improving breathing. In addition, in the postoperative period, breathing goes through some phases and there may be an initial worsening.
At first, swelling and nasal dressings can cause a respiratory obstruction that will gradually improve.
When surgery aims to correct functional problems, such as deviated septum and nasal turbinate hypertrophy, airflow improves within a few weeks and patients report that they no longer have the continuous sensation of a stuffy nose.
However, in some cases, worsening of breathing may occur due to failure to correct existing problems, poor execution of the operative technique, or problems in the patient’s recovery (such as the formation of excessive fibrosis for example). You must work with a rhinoplasty expert like Dr. Alidad Arabshahi in order to maximize your rhinoplasty success rate on the first-time surgery, without requiring future revisions.
References
Dr. Jamil Azaria, Common Myths about Rhinoplasty, 2020.
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Dr. Jeremy White, 8 myths about rhinoplasty, 2020.
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