Los Angeles Rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills - Revision Rhinoplasty

Discussing Your Goals

Your Nose Examination

To zero in on results you can realistically expect, your surgeon will examine your nose during your consultation. He or she will carefully look at your nose from all angles. In addition, you'll be asked to tilt your head back so that the surgeon can look at the base of your nose and your nostrils. Your facial plastic surgeon may gently press on your nose
to feel the underlying bones and cartilage. He or she may also gently push the tip of your nose up or down or from side to side.

To view the inside of your nose, a facial plastic surgeon will use a nasal speculum and a light. This internal exam allows the surgeon to check for any anatomical problems with airflow or your sinuses. This physical exam is painless and takes only a few minutes. From this exam, your surgeon will have a good idea of the results you can reasonably
expect.

Chin Assessment

While the surgeon is assessing the appearance of your nose and its underlying anatomy, he or she will also be looking at other facial features, particularly your chin. If you have a weak or receding chin, it can make your nose seem more prominent than it really is. To bring a better balance to your facial features, a cosmetic surgeon may recommend chin augmentation surgery in addition to rhinoplasty. Estimates vary, but some surgeons say that approximately 10 percent of rhinoplasty patients could benefit from chin augmentation as well. When chin augmentation is performed, you may find that you don't need as much correction in the size of your nose as you originally thought.

Computer Imaging

Facial plastic surgeons commonly use computer imaging to give you an idea of how your nose might look following rhinoplasty. At some point during your consultation, the surgeon or a staff member will take photos of your nose. Depending on your surgeon's preferences, the photos may include a frontal view, a profile view from each side of your face, a three-quarter view from each side, and a base view looking into the nostrils. Some surgeons prefer two sets of these images, one smiling and the other non-smiling.

Once the photos have been downloaded to a computer, your surgeon can manipulate them using digital-imaging software, giving you a sort of "preview" of how your nose will look after surgery. With a few clicks of the mouse, your surgeon can digitally eliminate the hump on your nose, angle the tip of your nose higher or lower, or straighten your
crooked nose.

However, surgeons advise you to keep in mind that the image you see on the screen is not a guarantee of what you'll look like after surgery. Rather, it's used only to give you a rough idea of what to expect. Ask your surgeon if what you see on the screen represents the best possible outcome. If so, your results probably won't match the idealized image on the screen.

Computer imaging is a great communication tool. As your surgeon manipulates the image on the screen, use this opportunity to talk about your goals. Tell your surgeon what you like or don't like about what you see on the screen. Do you want more correction or less correction? Your surgeon will let you know if it's possible to achieve what you want. This discussion ensures that you and your surgeon are on the same page regarding your goals and expectations. If you'd like a printout of what you see on the screen, ask your surgeon.

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