32F, Are my facial features 'bad' enough to be a good candidate for plastic surgery? (Photos)

Question

I'm a 32 y/o woman and seriously considering rhinoplasty. I feel like it looks hooked when I smile and seems to slightly angle to the left. I recently discovered my breathing ability in the left nostril is 70-80% of my right. I get sinus infections a lot as well. Would this warrant getting a rhinoplasty? Also I feel my chin looks too prominent esp when I smile. Should this be corrected too, and if so which procedure would accomplish this? Fyi, no history of injury/surgery. Thanks!

Thomas Spalla, MD · Answer

Given you concerns with the appearance of your nose and obstruction, a septorhinoplasty would be the only option to address both of these concerns. Regarding your nose externally, reducing the dorsum and tip refinement and a tip lift would likely provide you with your desired outcome. 
Regarding your sinus infections, discuss this with an otolaryngologist and don't assume that nasal surgery will have an impact on this. It might, but there's much more history to take regarding sinus issues that could shed light on the cause of these issues and potential options.
A reduction of your chin would take out some of its prominence and shorten the length of your face overall.

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

From the profile, you have that bump on the bridge, and although you don't have the world's droopiest nose, elevating the tip would probably be a good idea. You posted a good assortment of angles, and your photos illustrate something that's quite common -- that the three-quarter views, the final ones posted, make the nose appear longer and wider at the tip and more prominent than the "classic" profile photos do. And the three-quarter views are more important, because those are the views that most people actually see: when they see you in direct profile, they're typically not interacting with you.
How *much* to elevate the tip, or deproject the nose, or make other changes? We figure that out with morphs, well before surgery. I'd love for you to see some excellent professionally-designed morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. Morphs could also help you identify better just what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. Profile and three-quarter views would be particularly important in morphing your nose. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should really be done by the surgeon, or he should direct an assistant as she makes the morphs. Morphs should be made with a constant eye to what actually *can* be done in surgery, for that particular nose, and the surgeon has that information and judgment best.)

I'd love for you to see some excellent morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. It might make you feel better about the possibilities. Morphs help you plan your ideal goal, and help the surgeon understand what you need in order to be happy, and correlate that with what he thinks is possible in his hands.
Remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. The changes that your nose needs require advanced techniques, and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. For most noses, it's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.

Cory Bovenzi, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for the question! Cosmetic rhinoplasty is always a personal decision but I do think that the dorsal hump and "hooked" appearance can be improved with a rhinoplasty and would be reasonable goals. 
The sinus infections may or may not be improved with rhinoplasty- this depends on the exam on the inside of your nose - if the sinus infections are from a deviated septum/ inferior turbinate hypertrophy versus a blockage of the sinus openings which may warrant opening the sinuses themselves.
Re: chin- some people will shave part of the most prominent part of the chin bone down to improve this contour

Victor Manuel Agudelo, MD · Answer

Hello. 
Considering a cosmetic surgery is a unique patient's decision.
We as surgeons, when asked by patients, suggest certain changes according to our findings. I agree with you on your perception of your nose tip and chin, and both issues can be corrected with surgery. If you are experiencing breathing difficulties, and sinus recurrent infections, these are usually related with intra nasal anomalies such as septum deviations, enlarged turbinates or sinus drainage obstructions, that must be addressed with a sinus CAT scan and in person evaluation. Both functional and cosmetic surgeries can be done simultaneously,

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

Are you a good candidate for a Rhinoplasty‘s? Based on your photos, you appear to have a small dorsal hump, a slightly bulbous tip, and the tip plunges down with when you smile. These are all features which are addressed in a traditional rhinoplasty. You do appear to have a prominent chin which makes your overall appearance stronger than you probably like. For that you can consult with an oral surgeon to find out what your options are.

32F, Are my facial features 'bad' enough to be a good candidate for plastic surgery? (Photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Facial Features

Answer: Facial Features

Answer: Are you a good candidate for a Rhinoplasty?

Answer: Are you a good candidate for a Rhinoplasty?

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32F, Are my facial features 'bad' enough to be a good candidate for plastic surgery? (Photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Facial Features

Answer: Facial Features

Answer: Are you a good candidate for a Rhinoplasty?

Answer: Are you a good candidate for a Rhinoplasty?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.