Computer Imaging: Are These Reasonable Expectations for a Revision Rhinoplasty?

Personally, I do not think digital imaging is as constructive in a consultation as your impression of the Surgeon and examples of his/ her previous work.  Digital imaging, even if a disclaimer is given, inevitably produces an implied result in a prospective patient's mind.  Recent studies show that digital imaging has about a 40% correlation with the actual final result.  For these reasons, I do not use it in my practice.  I recommend that you discuss your expectations and concerns with your Surgeon.

With the limited photographic views and without examining your nose it's hard to say for certain what result is possible. Depending on your anatomy it may be hard to get as sharp a nasal tip as you've morphed, though.

A full facial analysis and examation would allow your potential surgeon to perform digital morphing to allow the two of you to come together about what level of changes you're interested in.

 

My only critique of this simulation is that the tip appears a bit too sharp and the alar base is a bit too narrow. The main issue seems to be the hanging columella. This tends to exaggerate the prominence of the nostrils, too. I do prefer computer imaging--if done in a realistic fashion--since it allows me to plan the case better and it improves the chances that the patient and I share the same vision for their nose. With any revision rhinoplasty, however, it's important to avoid making things worse, so surgery should be designed around improvement, not perfection, of course.

All the best,

--DCP