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Cookie Cutter Nose Job

A friend of mine said that I should avoid a certain local surgeon for my rhinoplasty because he uses a very cookie-cutter approach to rhinoplasty surgery so everyone's noses look the same afterward. Why does this happen?

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doctor technique

Everyone wants the same nose - Can you say "cutesy" nose?

Some rhinoplasty surgeons have made great careers (and lots of money) out of a particular looking nose. Years ago, having a rhinoplasty was a "status" symbol. In the early years of rhinoplasty, patients and their surgeons actually wanted the nose to look "done". When "all the noses look the same afterward" there is an obvious "done" look to the nose. The technique used is usually the same without regard for the individuality of the nose with... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Tips for selecting your rhinoplasty surgeon

The information your friend gave you about the local surgeon can either be a positive or a negative review, depending on your perspective. Rhinoplasty is one of the most challenging operations in plastic surgery. Everyone's nose is structurally different and there are certain apects of healing that can not be controlled by the operation itself. Short and long term outcomes in the same patient can be different, depending on how healing progresses, what the original nose looked like, and what... more

Richard W. Westreich, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty technique or aesthetic standards could be the cause

That’s a good question that doesn’t have a very good answer. Some surgeons in certain geographic areas will tend to attract a more homogeneous group of patients with similar features who may desire similar types of results. But, in a multiethnic large city, you shouldn’t be able to pass someone on the street and say to yourself, “Hey, that’s a Dr. So and So nose.” Ideally, you shouldn’t recognize a good rhinoplasty result at all. The most common... more

Jason Litner, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Why do all nose jobs look the same?

A nose job is a very complex operation and one that is difficult to predict due to the forces of healing and patient to patient variation with wound healing. Once a surgeon gains experience with a technique that provides him/her with a greater degree of reliability, the surgeon will tend to use the same technique over and over to deliver a consistent albeit clone-like outcome. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Every nose is different

My personal philosophy when it comes to rhinoplasty is to create noses which are well balanced, functional, and blend with the other features of the face. There is no single best nasal shape which is appropriate for every individual. So many factors come into play, including gender, ethnicity, age, height, chin projection, facial shape, skin thickness, and most importantly, individual aesthetic desires. The best way I have found for patients to communicate their aesthetic sense to me... more

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Umang Mehta, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Cookie-Cutter Rhinoplasty

Your concerns underscores the need to find a well qualified surgeon with whom you communicate well and who listens to your goals. Look at before and after photos and judge the surgeons results.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Rhinoplasty results should be different for everyone

The surgeon who makes all noses look the same is thinking about himself and what he likes, rather than the patient and what she likes. You need to see an experienced surgeon who considers your concerns and desires and offers advice based on your condition and his experience. Look at photos of his patients to see that he can do what you want. If they do not look good or all look the same - leave.

Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

I remember growing up with similar memories. There were...

I remember growing up with similar memories. There were surgeons in my area that did very "cookie cutter" type procedures. Everyone had an over-resected looking button nose. Unfortunately, this often left the person as a "nasal cripple" in terms of function. That is to say, they could not breathe. My goal is to provide a patient with a natural aesthetically-pleasing looking nose but as importantly maintain excellent function. And, I would like to think that the... more

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Cookie Cutter Nose Jobs

Most surgeons vary their techniques to match the different issues that confront them during surgery. A cookie-cutter approach to me means that the surgeon does the same operation or the same steps on every nose whether needed or not, and doesn't adjust the surgery to meet the needs of the patient or his/her anatomy. Most of us surgeons who perform Rhinoplasty will vary the surgery since different groups of patients need different things done to their noses to get the result... more

Jon F. Harrell, DO

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Avoid the "Cookie-Cutter" Rhinoplasty

Surgeons who perform many rhinoplasties would agree that every nose is different. Excellent rhinoplasty surgeons would agree that the best result is one that addresses each of the patient's concerns and anatomic issues and yields a natural, unoperated appearance. Decades ago surgeons would often perform the same procedure on each patient, yielding a similar appearance among patients. With refinement of techniques and evolution of concepts related to the nose, there... more

Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

The trademark nose

Rhinoplasty is part art form and part science. The part that is art form is very variable. You have a canvas, and as a surgeon you have open invitation to "create" a nose. A good surgeon listens to the patient, analyzes the patient and figures out what exactly fits for that patient taking into account facial geometry, skin type, and ethnic considerations. Some surgeons don't take into account all of these variables, and hence their noses all look... more

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Raghu Athre, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

Cookie Cutter Noses

" Cookie Cutter " noses were more common in the old days. While some surgeons still practice in this fashion, you should consult with several surgeons to see what their aesthetic is. Your gut should tell you when you have found the right one, provided he has a proficient rhinoplasty practice.

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Andres Bustillo, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

Giving everyone the same nose is NOT the goal of rhinoplasty

The aesthetic goal of rhinoplasty is to improve harmony between one's nose and face so other features (like the eyes) are accentuated. If everyone had the same face, then creating the same nose for everyone would work just fine. But we know this is not the case. Faces, as well as noses, differ so much, so there is no cookie-cutter solution. Performing the same maneuvers for every nose is not appropriate and may indicate a surgeon's limitations or lack of experience. Visit... more

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Anand D. Patel, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

Avoid cookie cutter surgery

Some surgeons can have strikingly similar rhinoplasty results among their patients. This generally occurs if they do the same routine on every patient paying no respect to their actual anatomy, desires or other facial features. Tailoring the procedure to the patient leads to a more natural and individual result. I find that by performing preoperative computer morphing with my patients during our consultation we can come to a great mutual understanding of what results the... more

Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Cookie Cutter Rhinoplasty

Some surgeons may have limited background in rhinoplasty, which limits how they can treat the nose. Surgeons with a wide breadth of rhinoplasty training can address the nose with a variety of techniques to help customize a nose which fits your facial features.

Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Modern rhinoplasty addresses an individual's unique facial structure

Seek a surgeon who addresses your concerns. Photographs should be taken and reviewed with you. A detailed exam should be performed. Look at before and after photos from the surgeon to see if you like their work. Make sure your surgeon is Board Certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Otolaryngology, or General Plastic Surgery. Warmest regards, Dr. Pippin.

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Gregory Pippin, MD

New Orleans Facial Plastic Surgeon

The surgeon should match the rhinoplasty to the patient

In reshaping a nose it is important for the surgeon to analyze the patients nose and what the patient would like to achieve. Then the surgeon can perform the surgery based on achieving these goals to achieve unique results.

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Robert Mounsey, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

Avoid "cookie - cutter" noses

As you probably have learned by now rhinoplasty is one of the more difficult procedures for a surgeon to master. Some surgeons are able to perform rhinoplasty in one specific fashion, thus all the noses look the same. It is imperative that an experienced and talented surgeon thoroughly assess the patient's facial anatomy and proportions, only then an appropriate surgical approach can be planned. The goals is to create a beautiful nose with nice proportions that face... more

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Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Avoiding the Signature Nose Job

It is actually unclear why any plastic surgeon performing rhinoplasty in this day and age would perform the same 'signature' nose job on nearly every patient. The hallmark of good rhinoplasty is a surgical result that doesn't look anything like a surgical result. The final appearance of the nose should be one that looks like the patient could have been born with it. In order to achieve natural appearing rhinoplasty results like this the surgeon must take into account the... more

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John M. Hilinski, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty should fit the patient, not the other way around

Rhinoplasty is a popular and effective surgery to recontour the shape of your nose. As every patient is unique, so should every rhinoplasty. For a successful rhinoplasty, open communication between the patient and the surgeon is essential. You should communicate your concerns and your goals with your surgeon and feel comfortable that your surgeon understands and will be able to accomplish for you. This communication is essential. In our practice it allows us to understand the... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Surgeons making the same nose for everyone

I doubt that this is actually possible since every nose is different. But some surgeons may know only one technique for doing a rhinoplasty, so the perception might be that there are similar noses on several of a particular doctor's patients. A good plastic surgeon will make the nose fit the face with various techniques. A very good plastic surgeon will do a rhinoplasty in such a way that no one realizes that surgery has been done, because it looks completely natural.

Howard T. Bellin, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Nose surgery should be tailored to the individual's face.

Proper facial aesthetics demands that each nose operation (rhinoplasty) is planned individually. I like to use the computer to make measurements and then correct the nose so the patient can have an idea how things will turn out. Any surgeon who does every rhinoplasty the same way needs a course in facial aesthetics and anatomy.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Avoid Carbon-Copy Noses

A nose should fit your facial features, skin tone, ethnicity, and even height, and a good surgeon will work with you to arrive at the optimally harmonious look. But many surgeons have a favorite style: the ski jump, the pug, the narrow bridge, etc. When interviewing doctors, be sure to ask to see their work. Have them show you photographs or computer images, or point out any nurses or other staff who have had a nose job done by them. If you see that each nose is an exact replica of the... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

There is no one perfect nose which works for everyone. ...

There is no one perfect nose which works for everyone. Modern Rhinoplasty techniques are all quite different so that each Rhinoplasty surgery is tailored to fit the patient’s unique facial features. Many years ago there were not as many techniques available to surgeons, so that many noses did look the same.

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