Should I Tell my Friends That I'm Getting a Nose Job?

Hi Anne Onymous -

Consider telling friends who you feel will be a source of comfort and support during the healing process.

Sincerely,

Tom Kaniff

The motivations to have Rhinoplasty surgery are complex and multifactorial.  Appropriate causative factors are frequently related to an individual's self image and subsequent self confidence, history of nasal injury, problems with nasal function, and desire to improve facial aesthetics and/or harmony.  Only motivated patients who display a realistic sense about possible outcomes are appropriate patients.  Although you may have friends who are able to empathize with your concerns, there will always be those who are not.  The challenge for the patient is differentiating between the two groups.  A large majority of my patients will share with their most trusted confidants, while a minority will share with everyone or tell no one.

The emphatic answer, in my opinion, is NO, do not tell anyone, except those you are counting on to care for you after the procedure.  Aesthetic surgery is a personal matter.  Jealous friends may try to talk you out of it, not wanting you to look better than they do.  Close friends, who don't suffer the anguish you do about your nose, may say you don't need it, and make you feel guilty about doing it.  You are doing it for yourself, and nobody else.  They don't need to know until afterward, and then, only if they ask or if you wish to tell them.  You do NOT need their approval, they aren't paying for it, and they're not dissatisfied with your nose, YOU ARE.  Cosmetic surgery is all about YOU!

Rhinoplasty (nose job) patients may be apprehensive about revealing that they had cosmetic surgery.  This is quite subjective and dependent on your comfort level as the patient.  

That said, cosmetic nose surgery should be something that goes unnoticed.  The nose should look natural and unoperated allowing attention to be drawn to desired locations such as the eyes, lips, and hair.  It has been said that a good rhinoplasty is not seen in the nose, but in the eyes.  

With a good result, your friends should not notice that you had anything done, but may ask if something is different such as your hair, makeup, or a tan.  Sometimes, getting your hair colored after or just before your surgery may be a good deflection when this question is posed.  

Anne

The decision to undergo cosmetic surgery, especially rhinoplasty is a very personal one. Along these same lines, the decision to tell your friends depends on you personally. Ask yourself the reasons for wanting to tell or not to tell and base your decision on how you feel. 

One of the most important factors I discuss with cosmetic patients is the strength of their support network. Before you undergo any procedure, make sure you have friends or family close by to walk with you through the entire process. There will be ups and downs during your decision process and during your recovery. Having someone to discuss your journey with is of the utmost importance.  

Best wishes to you

It is important to have friends and/or family who are supportive of your decision, assuming you are a candidate for rhinoplasty after visiting with a board-certified plastic surgeon. However, the decision is yours as to whether to disclose your medical information to anyone. Assuming you are not seeking rhinoplasty with truly unreasonable expectations, you can take comfort from the adage: Those who matter won't mind your decision, and those who mind don't matter.