A nose is one of the more prominent features of the face and likely one of the first things someone will notice about you. There are a variety of reasons to alter the shape of your nose including both medical and cosmetic. The desire for a nose job does not necessarily mean a rhinoplasty procedure is the best fit for you. How do you know who is a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose job, is a plastic surgery procedure to reshape and reconstruct the nose to improve its proportion and function. Changing the appearance of your nose is complex and requires extensive planning to create the desired look of your nose. A rhinoplasty is most often considered for aesthetic purposes as medical conditions such as a deviated septum may be corrected with a procedure known as a septorhinoplasty. While rhinoplasty emphasizes cosmetic surgery and septorhinoplasty focuses on medical, there is a lot of overlap between the two surgeries. In either or both cases, refining the appearance and repairing the structure are the ultimate goals. For rhinoplasty to be successful, patients first and foremost need to meet certain criteria. 

Good candidates for rhinoplasty are those whose facial growth is complete. For women, facial growth is complete at age 18 and for men aged 23. The body needs adequate time to finish its development before making any permanent alterations. One of the main qualifications for a good candidate for rhinoplasty is a clear medical history and overall good health. Certain medications or supplements can increase the risk to the patient making a rhinoplasty procedure inadvisable. Likewise, those with a history of smoking and heavy alcohol consumption will need to quit these lifestyle choices anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks before surgery. Nicotine and alcohol can play a significant role in elevating blood pressure that in turn dehydrates the body. It can also affect the outcomes of anesthesia. Healthy lungs and lack of heart conditions are also necessary for a rhinoplasty. Heart disease or a history of heart attacks will preclude a candidate from a nose job procedure. Women who are currently pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding are not ideal candidates for the procedure either. 

If you are concerned about the function or appearance of your nose, you may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty. Whether you want to increase or decrease size, change the width of the bridge of the nose, straighten a crooked nose, provide more facial symmetry, improve the nose tip, remove a bump or depression on the nose or correct the size or position of the nostrils, rhinoplasty should be viewed with realistic goals and expectations. Finding a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty is the best step in your journey to nasal reconstruction. 

At David W. Allison, MD we will provide you with an in-depth consultation to answer your questions and discuss how an augmentation of your nose will leave you looking and feeling better. From the initial appointment to the care of recovery, David W. Allison, MD has successfully performed thousands of rhinoplasty procedures as well as complicated revision nose surgeries. Contact us today at 703-754-8228 or WEBSITE.