Do most practice offer 3D modeling or photoshopped picture prior to correcting the nose? (photo)

Question

I really want to be able to see what the final result would be like!

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Great question!  Although many practices can perform digital recreations of the possible outcomes, understand that it is never a guarantee of results.  The surgery itself isn't as simple as just photoshopping the nose, there are many anatomical factors that limit what the surgeon can or cannot do.  The digital morphs only give you an idea of what the surgeon has in mind and what they plan to achieve but the results can vary.Best of luck and hope this information helps!

- Dr. Roger Tsai   @DrRogerTsai

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

Your nose is strong in its forward projection from your face. The tip can be brought back closer to your face. We call that "de-projecting" the tip. 
Then, when a nose is de-projected, it tends to *look* longer, as if the tip had drooped. So it's important to elevate the tip a bit as well.Your frontal view makes the tip look a bit wide.And then of course there's a bump along the bridge.
How *much* to elevate the tip, or deproject the nose? 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 what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should always 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 only the surgeon has that information and judgment. Another aside: I also recommend that you not show morphs made by one surgeon to a different surgeon. If a surgeon makes his *own* morphs, you get to see whether he understands the important issues of your nose, and how your nose should be changed. But if you show the surgeon someone else's morphs, and he says "Of course I can make your nose look like that," then you don't really know if he fully understands, or even recognizes, the important changes shown in those morphs. And you don't know if he can make those changes during surgery.)But a nice morph doesn't mean that the surgeon can create those changes in surgery. 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.

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  3D modeling or digitally modified images can be helpful but real before and after photos can better predict your results. Although an exam in person is ideal, from your photographs alone it appears that you can benefit from a dorsal hump reduction and a tip rhinoplasty where the nasal tip cartilage is modified for a more refined look.  The modification of your nasal cartilage can be done with trimming, stitching or grafting.  If your septum is deviated and you have breathing difficulty, a septoplasty may benefit you as well.  The next step for you is to find the right aesthetic plastic surgeon.  In your rhinoplasty consultation, be sure your surgeon addresses all your aesthetic goals and concerns specifically, and discusses the surgery details including the position and size of the incisions used (with actual photographs and not just digital animations), the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course.  Also, be sure to see plenty of before-and-after pictures in men (as mentioned above) who have a similar nose appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome.
  
After seeking out a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon.  It’s the connection that allows you to clearly define your desired nose outcome goals, the first step of this whole process. If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you.
  
For more information on rhinoplasty, please refer to my link below.
  
Good luck.
  
Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  3D imaging can be helpful but should definitely not be a replacement for real unedited before and after pictures of actual patients.  Based on your photographs, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty, a cephalic rotation of your tip to turn up your tip slightly, and a dorsal hump reduction.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and not just a computer animation system.  You should be able to view numerous pictures of actual patients with noses similar to yours performed by your surgeon.  If you cannot find enough real before and after pictures, then consider continuing your search for a surgeon. Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Brian A. Pinsky, MD, FACS · Answer

Many practices offer 3 D imaging, and it can be a helpful tool in the pre-operative discussion.  I use it for rhinoplasty and breast augmentation regularly.  However, it's critical to understand that the images are a computer generated approximation of the results only.  In no way does this predict or guarantee any outcome.   The computer can only manipulate the images in certain way, and it can sometimes be more confusing than helpful.  Before and after photos are helpful as well as being sure your surgeon really understands what you are looking to achieve.  Best of luck!

Do most practice offer 3D modeling or photoshopped picture prior to correcting the nose? (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: 3D imaging

Answer: 3D imaging

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.

Do most practice offer 3D modeling or photoshopped picture prior to correcting the nose? (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: 3D imaging

Answer: 3D imaging

Browse related questions

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.