“There are subtle things that we can do to make a change in the profile, in the definition of the nose, without changing their ethnicity, without intrinsically changing their appearance,” said Charles M. Boyd M.D.

For the cosmetic surgeon, managing the patient’s expectations is important.  Likewise for the rhinoplasty patient, communicating desires and aesthetic goals is critical.  Each surgeon-patient relationship will go through this process in a different way.  One emerging trend facilitating this communication process is the use of 3-dimensional imaging to visually approximate the results that can be achieved.

“I use computer imaging and this is very helpful in pinpointing what patients are trying to achieve, and it enables them to see what’s in my mind as well,” said Steven B. Hopping M.D.

When it comes down to operating, there are also anatomical considerations for the ethnic patient.  View the article on modernmedicine.com to read how these surgeons approach rhinoplasty in patients of Asian, African American, and Middle Eastern descent.

If your mother had success with rhinoplasty, would you choose to do the same?  One young woman gives her compelling nose-job story to Elle, discussing the years she spent deliberating about rhinoplasty and how she finally decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps.  After surgery, she confesses: “I hate to say it, but my mother is right: It’s the nose I was meant to have.”

[Elle]

Would your mom undergo cosmetic surgery before you?  If so, you may find yourself inspired to do the same upon seeing the results.  The number of mother-daughter pairs visiting Dr. Koehler in Tulsa has him seriously considering a “family discount.”

[msnbc]

In early April, reporters confirmed that supermodel Christie Brinkley had a facelift and her daughter Alexa Ray Joel checked in for a rhinoplasty the following day.  According to reports from the New York Post, the two are already making public appearances to show off their new looks.

[New York Post]

An ideal substance, according to the authors, would have these characteristics:

• Readily available in large quantities
• Resists infection
• Resists absorption
• Completely integrated into host tissues
• Causes little patient morbidity

Analysis of long-term rhinoplasty results with these grafts revealed that patients experienced a low complication rate. Moreover, 94.2 percent of the 357 patients said they were satisfied with the results.

Other common options for rhinoplasty include cartilage from the septum or the ear.  In recent years, non-surgical options such as Radiesse have grown in popularity as some patients choose to forgo a surgical operation.

More information

• Article on ScienceDaily.com
• Article in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery
• Rhinoplasty in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Revision rhinoplasty with Dr. Mandell-Brown