9 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Rhinoplasty

By Angiemcc

Several years ago I had rhinoplasty (and a few years after that, revision rhinoplasty). Here's a list of things I wish I had known about before my surgery. I hope it helps anyone considering a rhinoplasty themselves.

1. There is no such thing as the perfect nose – it’s likely that you’ll still find flaws (a tiny bump here, an uneven nostril there) even after a nose job. Try to keep in mind that you’re going for improvement, not perfection

2. You’ll look mummyish for the first few days post-op – Expect a splint over the bridge of your nose, possible packing in your nostrils and a pad taped under your nose to catch drainage.

3. You’re not supposed to wear glasses/sunglasses for the first month after rhinoplasty – This is so the nasal bridge can heal correctly.

4. It’s possible you’ll feel almost no pain after your rhinoplasty, especially if you stay on top of your meds – You will, however, be tired and possibly queasy.

5.  A nose job might make breathing more difficult than it used to be – Even though I had a deviated septum fixed at the same time I had rhinoplasty, my breathing was significantly worse after the procedure. Since I hated the look of my nose so much, the surgery was still worth it to me.

6. Many people won’t notice you’ve had anything done – This can seem bizarre, considering that your nose has just been reshaped and you’ve spent a week recovering, but it’s true. Most folks are too busy thinking about their own noses. Or eyelids. Or double chins.

7. There’s a good chance you’ll have an irritatingly nasal twang to your voice for weeks or even months after the procedure.

8. Right after your new nose is revealed, you may feel a sense of disappointment or even horror. Once my bulbous tip was corrected, I felt like a pug. My nose was actually much improved, but when you’re used to a certain look, a tiny bit of dysmorphia can occur when you see your results. You don’t look exactly like yourself and that can feel strange.

9. Plastic Surgeons can sculpt your nose and make it look better, but within limits. It’s fine to provide your plastic surgeon with photos of noses you like, but keep in mind that all surgeons have to work within the framework of your face, not Paris Hilton’s.

If you have any questions or concerns about your rhinoplasty, please feel free to send me a personal message.