Should I Bring Pictures of Desired Noses to Rhinoplasty Consultation?

Pictures are valuable, in order to give you talking points during the consult. They can illustrate specific desires for highlights, size, definition, or tip rotation. Those talking points can then be extrapolated to your current nose shape, and thats when the real conversation begins. You can then discuss with your rhinoplasty surgeon what is applicable to your anatomy, and whether those changes can be accomplished. Imaging is central to this process in my practice.
As for your second question of tip definition, I have to make a point or two. One, it is probably the most common part of rhinoplasty-requests to improve tip definition. So it is a consideration with most surgeries, with multiple techniques to achieve that endpoint. But patients must realize that a natural tip is not a single tent pole, but a nuanced transition involving two tip defining points. Something too narrow here will look operated. And might be pinched so tight that the airway is compromised. So you need to speak about this compromise with your surgeon at the time of your consult.

Many surgeons’ offices are equipped with the latest computer technology, which allows the doctor to alter a patient’s nose on screen and show them directly what their new nose is likely to look like. In this way, you can work together to achieve your desired changes and can alter and re-alter the look of your potential new nose in line with your specific desires. If you are set on bringing in pictures of noses you like, I’m sure your doctor will be happy to go over them with you and to talk about their implications for you. It is important, as always, to keep realistic expectations and to be aware that your new nose may look different than pictures of past patients or of celebrities you see because of the other, surrounding facial features that affect your look. 

Hi,

 

Any information that can be brought to the consultation is helpful including photos of celebrities and othe magazine models.  It helps begin a discussion regarding what your expectations are and whether or not this is reasonable.  For others, it helps them convey in  words what they are not able to convey otherwise. g

 

Absolutely, it is always great to bring in as much information and photos as you can.....you and your surgeon need to be on the same page. Most important though, make sure your surgeon has a sophisticated morphing program so you and he can review what is realistic and what the results are going to resemble after the surgery.

 

It is always helpful for a patient to bring pictures in of noses that they like.  It doesn't necessarily mean that the surgeon is going to be able to replicate that nose - it all depends on your anatomy to start out with, facial structure, etc.  However, it does give the surgeon an idea of what the patient is thinking about and what he/she may need to do to get you close to your ideal.

You ask two questions. The first is about bringing example photos for rhinoplasty. While it can be very helpful to discuss your desires using photos you need to be very aware that it is impossible to create the exact nose you see in a magazine. Every patient starts with a different nose and no two results will ever be the same. I do discuss photos that my patients bring to office as a guideline, but always make it clear that getting any of those photos as an end result is impossible.
As for shortening a nose, some shortening can be achieved. But the amount of change you are hoping for may not be possible. I would recommend that you visit with many surgeons and get a few opinions. You may find they all feel similarly about your case. You should pay a lot of attention to the limitations on the results they can achieve. If you hear the same answers from 3 or 4 surgeons, pay close attention. If you choose to have surgery with the one surgeon that promises what you want you may be disappointed in the end.
I hope this helps!

Rhinoplasty can only do so much for any individual.  A nose starts with a given shape, size, and orientation and surgery can only go so far.  So if you bring photos that are drastically different from your existing nose, that will not be very helpful to the surgeon.
If the photos you bring are within the realm of surgical possibility, then they may be helpful.  Overall, I think using a computer morphing imaging program is a better way to determine goals and expectations for surgery.

Nose shapes that you might like can be difficult to describe with words. A picture is worth a thousand words. With this information your surgeon should be able to incorporate these desires into a digital image morphing session and be able to tell you what is and what is not possible with rhinoplasty, It is yet another tool to communicate with your doctor.

A long nose definately can be shortened without looking "chubby." However, one must keep in mind that rhinoplasty is not like sculpting with clay. Working with bone, cartilage and tissue can be challenging. Some surgeons do just their style of nose. I try to keep the person looking like themself and simply clean up what is undesireable. Bringing in pictures does help the sugeon know what kind of results you are looking for. The reality of what can be surgically accomplished is another thing. I try to be honest with the patient discussing what I think can actually be done.
It is important to chose a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is highly experienced in all types of noses.

I have mixed feelings about patients bringing photos of noses they like that they see in magazines or elsewhere. It can be helpful to know what the patient likes and what they think looks good. On the other hand it can be problematic if a the patient is fixed on a celebrity nose that would be physically impossible to give them. That being said, I occasionally have patients bring in photos of noses they like and I keep them in mind while I do the imaging on our computer to simulate the results I feel we can offer them.
To answer your second question about changing the length of a nose, I feel that significant shorting can be achieved as long as the nose is kept proportional to the face. How much shortening you would benefit from would of course depend on your specific anatomy. Hope this helps.