Changing the shape or size of the nose with surgical rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures year in and year out in the U.S. As a rhinoplasty specialist in Orlando, I’ve performed hundreds of “nose jobs” for women and men of all ages. Most patients arrive for their consultations already generally familiar with rhinoplasty but there is a lot more to this procedure than just the technicalities. In this blog post, I break down 6 facts about rhinoplasty that you may not know.
#1. Rhinoplasty Meaning
When someone thinks about rhinoplasty, usually the idea of molding or shaping comes to mind. The term “plastic surgery” can trace its roots to the Greek word “plastikos,” meaning to mold or shape or relating to molding or shaping. Rhinoplasty is thus a procedure that reshapes or alters the appearance of the nose. In some cases, this involves removing excess skin and cartilage; in others (such as in the case of revision rhinoplasty), it can be about adding skin and cartilage from another part of the body to elongate the nose or reconstruct a nose that is damaged.
#2. Rhinoplasty Origins
Modern plastic surgery emerged after World War I. But rhinoplasty is hardly that recent—in fact it’s ancient! The first rhinoplasty was performed in 800 B.C. in Egypt and India. Luckily, there have been countless surgical advancements since these early procedures.
#3. Rhinoplasty Popularity
Rhinoplasty’s popularity, likewise, is not a recent phenomenon. The procedure has been a crowd favorite for decades and was among the top five most common cosmetic procedures performed in 2023. The nose is the focal point of the face, so it makes sense that patients want to enhance it.
#4. Rhinoplasty Age Limits
The procedure can technically be performed on patients as young as 14 for girls and 15 for boys—the typical age of skeletal maturity. However, I recommend and prefer that young women wait until they are at least 15 and young men wait until they’re 16 before undergoing nose surgery.
#5. Functional Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is often performed for reasons that aren’t related to a patient’s appearance. Many patients opt for nose surgery when they have a deviated septum or damage caused by cancer, birth defects, or accidents. This functional rhinoplasty procedure can improve breathing in addition to changing the nose’s aesthetics.
#6. Rhinoplasty Expertise
Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex procedures performed by plastic surgeons. It takes extreme skill and precision. Most of the time, patients only want subtle changes, so the procedure only allows a minuscule margin of error. Because of this, it is important to find a board-certified surgeon with years of experience doing nose surgeries.
Is Rhinoplasty Right for You?
Whatever your reasons for seeking rhinoplasty, make sure you are doing it for yourself. If you believe a rhinoplasty or another procedure will boost your confidence and have other benefits, please request a consultation or call us at (407) 333-3040 to explore your options. I also encourage you to check out the gallery of rhinoplasty before-and-after photos of my actual patients. This can give you a good idea of the results that you can achieve with rhinoplasty.
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