In droves, the young and old alike are flocking to the plastic surgeon to enhance what is squarely in the center of their face, the nose. According to statistics there are about 60,000 – 70,000 nose jobs performed in the United States, each year and the numbers continue to climb. Rhinoplasty creates more harmony in the facial structure and helps to add proportion to the nose. Experts say it can also correct impaired breathing caused by structural defects in the nose. Dr. Lou Bucky, a plastic surgeon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania discusses why Rhinoplasty is such a fast-growing procedure and easily his favorite because the small change makes such a big difference in appearance.
By: Louis P. Bucky, MD
and Dawn Tongish
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel
Rhinoplasty: Small Change/Huge Difference
A “nose job” is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures being offered today and for good reason. Experts with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons say rhinoplasty can change:
- Nose width at the bridge or in the size and position of the nostrils
- Nose profile with visible humps or depressions on the bridge
- Nasal tip that is enlarged or bulbous, drooping, upturned or hooked
- Nostrils that are large, wide, or upturned
- Nasal asymmetry
Most physicians agree the goal of the rhinoplasty is to create facial balance and correct proportion and that can be achieved without too much intervention. “The reason why rhinoplasty is my favorite operation is that one small change can make a huge difference,” says Dr. Lou Bucky. “It’s a different kind of operation than others because we do a lot of etching and shaping, unlike other surgeries where there is a lot of sewing and restoring.” Dr. Bucky says that working on even one small part of the nose like the bridge can impact the tip and that is unique to the nose job. “This is a surgical procedure that is so enjoyable and interesting.” Dr. Bucky adds that there is added intensity because the nose is on the face, making the operation of high importance.
Whose the Best Candidate For a Nose Job?
There’s no shortage of interest in rhinoplasty, among every age group. “It seems the younger people want the nose job because they feel unattractive and they want to get rid of the bump on their nose,” says Dr. Bucky. He also adds that older people are also seeking rhinoplasty after looking at an undesirable nose for decades.“They haven’t been satisfied with their nose for years and now they want to fix it, but I advise them to be careful and cautious, because they don’t want to do too much. This is the nose they have lived with for a long time and they don’t want to do too much.” Dr. Bucky says older people seek rhinoplasty because the nose ages with time and may dip at the tip. “They don’t feel the nose is as refined after some aging.”
You may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty if: (According to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
- Your facial growth is complete
- You are physically healthy
- You don’t smoke
- You have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance
The Sneak Peak: Before The Procedure
New techniques allow a patient to actually “see” what the end rhinoplasty result will look like before the procedure has even taken place, or at least fairly close to it. “What has made rhinoplasty really enjoyable and more successful is not what we do surgically, but how we use 2D and now 3D computer imaging on each patient. It is so helpful,” says Dr. Bucky. Dr. Bucky uses the computer generated images during the consultation, to help the patient understand what the nose will look like afterward. “Once a patient sees what they are going to look like, they can have that moment where they visualize the end result. This is important for me so I know that I can deliver what the patient wants during the procedure.”
Experts say anyone considering rhinoplasty should realize that it could take up to a year for complete recovery.
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