Part of undergoing rhinoplasty is looking at rhinoplasty before and after photos. These photos — which are present on essentially every rhinoplasty surgeon’s website — do three things.
First, they show you what issues can be fixed. Can you get rid of a dorsal hump? Fix a bulbous tip? Can a crooked nose really be straightened?
Next, they show you what your results could look like. Do patients look natural in their “after” photos? Do their new noses match their other facial features? Were their issues fixed with little to no scarring?
And finally, they help you locate the best plastic surgeon based on their previous results. When you look at a given surgeon’s rhinoplasty before and after photos, do you like what you see? Have they been able to achieve success correcting a range of issues? How do the results look overall?
As you can see, the act of looking at rhinoplasty before and after galleries isn’t just for fun. It’s actually an information-gathering and learning process that requires some previous knowledge.
Below, we’ve created a list of the top things you should know to look for as you peruse these photo galleries in anticipation of your surgery.
What to Look for in Rhinoplasty Before and After Pictures
1. Great-looking results
First, simply skim through the results of actual patients. Do you like what you see?
Rhinoplasty is notoriously one of the most difficult types of plastic surgery to perform, so if you like a surgeon’s results, this is a good first indicator that this plastic surgeon has the skill and expertise necessary to be consistently successful with this procedure.
2. Explanatory descriptions
It can help a tremendous amount if you have at least a short description beneath each photo set, which explains what the patient’s main concerns were and what was done to correct those issues.
You want to be able to discern whether the patient underwent non surgical rhinoplasty or surgical rhinoplasty. It’s also good to know whether they wanted to get surgery for functional reasons (breathing difficulties, for example) or cosmetic reasons.
3. Adequate time for healing
Beware of any “after” photos taken after just three months, six months, or even nine months post-surgery. Rhinoplasty is well-known for taking a long time to heal, especially if you have thicker skin. Final results photos should be taken at least one year out from surgery.
4. Little to no scarring
Many rhinoplasty surgeries can be performed closed, which means all of the incisions are within the nose and not visible. But many surgeries will be open, which means there will be at least one incision on the outside of the nose. Despite this, surgeons should pay close attention to making open rhinoplasty surgeries as scar-free as possible.
5. Natural results that match other features
Whether rhinoplasty is performed to correct a crooked nasal bridge, create a more refined tip (tip refinement), fix a dorsal hump, or something else, the results should be natural-looking.
The “new” nose should match the patient’s facial proportions and complement their other facial features, especially the overall bone structure and chin. Also keep in mind that the goals for male rhinoplasty and the male nose will naturally be different than the goals for female rhinoplasty and the feminine look. So if you are a female, don’t rely on male rhinoplasty before and after results to make judgements about a surgeon’s work.
6. Patients who look like you
As you look through pictures filter cases by male female, intervention type (surgical or nonsurgical), type of surgery (cosmetic or functional), open or closed surgery, etc. Then, take a look at the issues that are being corrected and what each patient looks like in their “before” photos. Ideally, you want to see patients who look similar to you in these pictures and/or have similar concerns they are addressing with surgery.
7. Good lighting and consistent photo qualities
All rhinoplasty before and after male and female photos should be taken in a natural manner with good, consistent lighting, the same background, and the same camera angles and patient positions. Beware of out-of-focus photography, poor lighting, inconsistent body positions, and random camera angles. It’s hard to judge results when this is the case.
FAQ: Rhinoplasty Surgery
Can you get a nose job without surgery?
Yes, non surgical rhinoplasty is an option. This type of procedure typically involves dermal fillers. These are injectables that your plastic surgeon can strategically use to correct certain cosmetic issues related to the nose.
Keep in mind that not all cosmetic issues can be corrected with non surgical rhinoplasty, however. Also, if non surgical rhinoplasty is what you want, be sure to search for liquid rhinoplasty before and after photos instead of surgical rhinoplasty photos. The results will not look the same.
How much does rhinoplasty cost?
In order to obtain an accurate estimate on the cost of your rhinoplasty, it is recommended that you first meet with your plastic surgeon. You’re not going to know the final cost of your surgery if you haven’t yet met one-on-one with a surgeon who can examine you physically, talk to you about your desired outcomes, and discuss your options with you.
Will insurance pay for rhinoplasty?
Sometimes, but not always. Usually, coverage only applies when there is a proven breathing difficult that can only be fixed with functional rhinoplasty surgery. If your desired correction is based on cosmetic goals only, insurance will not cover surgery.
Be sure to check with your insurance company to see what requirements and age provider regulations dictate in terms of rhinoplasty coverage. Most insurance companies want to see that you have struggled with a breathing difficulty for some time and that your medical providers agree rhinoplasty is the only viable solution.
How long does rhinoplasty last?
As long as you undergo surgical rhinoplasty and not the non surgical equivalent (the results of which will naturally diminish over time), your new nose should be permanent. In some cases, the natural effects of aging may slightly change the appearance of your nose, but it should not majorly augment the overall changes that were made during your surgery.
Contact Us Today to Book a Consultation
Surgical rhinoplasty can help whether you are you looking to achieve a more refined nasal tip, correct a dorsal hump, fix another cosmetic issue, or correct breathing difficulties related to your nasal structure. If you are interested in rhinoplasty, please contact our office today to set up your personal consultation with female board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Smita Ramanadham.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-to-expect-during-your-rhinoplasty-recovery