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October 07, 2014 | Rhinoplasty

10 Little-Known Facts About Rhinoplasty

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1. Rhinoplasty is almost as popular as breast augmentation.

According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty is second only to breast augmentation for the most popular cosmetic procedures performed by board-certified plastic surgeons. More than 221,053 rhinoplasties were performed in 2013.

2. Facial fillers can be used as a temporary alternative to rhinoplasty.

Some patients may be candidates for a nonsurgical nose job for temporary cosmetic correction. Injectable fillers, like RADIESSE®, Restylane®, or JUVÉDERM® can improve the appearance of a flat nose, a drooping tip, a bump on the bridge, and sharp angles. The procedure only takes 15 to 30 minutes and requires no recovery time.

3. The nose should not be the main focus of the face.

Although the nose is located in the center of the face, it shouldn’t be the main focus. Because of its location, a large nose, asymmetry, or any other flaw becomes easily noticeable and draws attention away from the eyes and mouth. The nose should complement the other facial features in relation to size and shape so that it isn’t the first feature others will notice.

4. There are at least 14 different basic nose shapes.

According to a survey published in the May 2011 issue of the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, there are at least 14 different basic nose shapes. Over 1,793 images of noses were surveyed and placed into different categories based on their features. Categories include certain characteristics such as a hawk nose (sharp with a downward hook) and a Greek (straight) nose. Even with these basic shapes documented, no two noses are exactly alike.

5. Not all noses are created equal.

While many advances have been made over the last few decades with rhinoplasty, there is no way to duplicate a particular nose on another person. The basic shape of a nose can be achieved, and the results a patient desires are often achievable, but an exact replica of someone else’s nose is not possible. Skin thickness, bone structure, and face shape all play a role in the final outcome of rhinoplasty.

6. In most cases, rhinoplasty should not be performed on young children.

Most surgeons recommend that rhinoplasty or septoplasty not be performed on young children because the nose is not yet fully developed. The nose reaches full growth by the age of 15 for girls and age 17 for boys.

7. Your nose never stops “growing.”

While bones stop growing after puberty and muscle and fat cells also stop dividing, the nose appears to grow until we die. In reality, the nose is simply changing its shape. Over time, soft tissue (fat, connective tissue, and muscles) relaxes, and structural support in the nose changes due to gradual bone recession. These factors, plus the loss of elasticity and collagen in the nose, can cause the nose to droop or “grow” as we age.

8. Revision surgery is very common.

Even among the most skilled and experienced specialists, nose surgery is the most likely procedure to be performed a second time. Revision surgery is common because the ability for the nose to heal is not entirely predictable, and many factors influence the final outcome of the procedure.

9. Final results with rhinoplasty take up to a year to show.

After surgery, most of the swelling will dissipate within a few weeks, but some extent of the swelling will be apparent for up to a year. Many patients believe that their primary rhinoplasty failed when, in reality, the final results are simply masked by swollen tissues. Patients should wait one full year after their first rhinoplasty before considering a revision.

10. Rhinoplasty may be covered by insurance.

If it is deemed medically necessary, rhinoplasty may be covered by insurance. Although cosmetic rhinoplasty is not covered by insurance, it can still be made very affordable even on a budget. We at Premiere Center for Cosmetic Surgery pride ourselves on being open about all aspects of our procedures and are happy to discuss financing options and pricing during your free consultation.

To schedule your appointment, please call our Tampa location at (813) 579-1659 or our Miami location at (305) 705-6152. For your convenience, you may also fill out our online contact form.

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