How Do Rhinoplasty Surgeons Know What Will Fit?

Every patient and every rhinoplasty is unique -- there is not a "one size fits all" nose. For the nose to look natural it must adhere to some basic proportions, but it must also be in balance an harmony with the patient's other facial features. Most rhinoplasty surgeons now use computer imaging to review and analyze the patient's own photos. The patient's photos can be morphed to simulate the surgical changes. Recently, 3D rhinoplasty imaging has become available. This allows... more

Rhinoplasty, along with other cosmetic procedure are considered a real art. So when I look at a patients nose there are landmarks and specific relationships that I look at to see what is IDEAL. Now having said that, it is needs to be assessed what is the patient trying to achieve. A combination of what you want and what is ideal for this particular face will lead you to nice result. Make sure that your plastic surgeon is board certified by american board of plastic surgery. Good luck.... more

There are many factors taken into account when performing a rhinoplasty. Size and shape of the face and head must be considered, as well as features of the nose such as the width of the tip, the bridge, and the nostrils. All of these factors need to be in balance. There is an artistic component in addition to technical and scientific skill in creating an excellent looking nose that matches and balances with the facial proportions. There is also a tremendous amount of experience that... more

As a facial plastic surgeon, I am particularly thrilled by this question! Rhinoplasty combines all the artistic skills and experience to create the best result for the patient. There are some rules too! The facial plastic surgery literature has some guidelines based on aesthetic principles or "rules of beauty." There exist average angles and measurements that help create a guideline to how the nose appears on the face. Combining this knowledge with artistic skill and... more

Rhinoplasty is an art. Knowing what will fit your face comes from experience, surgical skills, training, and knowledge. There are many different angles and measurements, but surgeons rarely perform these calculations. A surgeon's before and after portfolio can give you an idea of what he is capable of, especially if he has before and after photos of a patient with similar nasal anatomy to you.

Hi Mark, Rhinoplasty is an art. One of the giants of rhinoplasty surgery, Eugene Tardy, MD, called rhinoplasty "the most difficult of all facial plastic surgeries". What makes it a difficult surgery is blending the aesthetic sense of beauty and proportions skillfully to achieve what best "fits" the individual face after having made the proper diagnosis and creating a precise surgical plan. As with other facial cosmetic procedures, you want a physician with "the... more

Nothing beats seeing a computer generated image of the surgeon's prediction of what he can accomplish. His depiction is based on size and shape of nose and that of your face. Also, the relationship of the nose to the adjacent structures. He must also consider skin quality, strength of cartilage. And, the internal structures, such as the nasal septal architecture. Be sure to check out the doctor's results by viewing the doctor's before and after collection. That is very important; you need... more

The way that a Rhinoplasty surgeon "knows" what fits your face comes from experience and in depth knowledge of facial anatomy, physiology as well as facial aesthetic. All the things you mention should be considered in every rhinoplasty consultation along with a number of other considerations like cartilage shape, strength and external issues such as ethnicity. I like to use computer imaging for both the patient and me. Imaging helps simulate potential results, it also gives a... more