Refused rhinoplasty. Am I being unrealistic?

Question

Hello, I just had an appointment with a respected plastic surgeon and he refused to perform a rhinoplasty. He said my features are not bad and potential risks outweigh the benefits. I wanted to have my nose projection, nasal septum and/or nasal spine reduced. Also my lip is short and curls (disappears) when I smile. The tip of my nose doesn't drop though. Is it possible to rearrange the depressor septi muscle so my lip won't curl? Would you agree with this doc? What risks should I be aware of?

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Only you and the Plastic surgeon were in the room so only he knows why he refused to operate on you.It is obvious from looking at the photographs that your nose could be improved with a complete Rhinoplasty. I suspect that there was not "fit" between you and the surgeon or worse, that he did not like your personality or he may have thought that your goals were unrealistic. Most ethical surgeons evaluate each patient they see and question themselves on whether they can bring about a result the person before them would be happy with. If they suspect that a reasonable result is not obtainable or that the person would be disappointed with whatever result they can create the surgeons would back off and advise you to go elsewhere.I suspect this is what happened here.Go to another good surgeon and see what he or she advises you.Good LuckPeter ALDEA, MD

Theodore Nyame, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Deciding to have a rhinoplasty is a very personal decision. For the surgeon deciding who to operate on is also very personal. If you have been turned away I would consider another consultation with a different surgeon for a second opinion. Best wishes

Ashok Govila, FRCS, MCh, MS - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi Badroof,I would consider you to be well informed patient and all request are very much justified and a good plastic surgeon should be able to fix it.May be you do not have a hump and this may be the reason for the PS to refuse surgery for you.I get plenty of such issue and routinely fix them in Dubai.Risk of rhinoplasty for you are as much as for any standard closed rhinoplasty and are all listed on my website below

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear badroof, I do not see any reason that you would  not be an excellent candidate for rhinoplasty surgery ( and possible chin augmentation) unless the surgeon felt your expectations were unattainable. I would suggest seeking a secondary consultation and aided with digital imaging you can see your proposed results and then decide if these would be your desired result. You will have an opportunity during consultation to see many before and after photographs of noses similar to yours and then make an informed decision regarding moving forward with surgery. In the hands of an expert surgeon there are minimal risks with rhinoplasty surgery. To review some before and after photographs I have included a link to my rhinoplasty gallery as well as a video above of a similar nose. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

Refused rhinoplasty. Am I being unrealistic?

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Answer: Rhinoplasty Candidate

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Refused rhinoplasty. Am I being unrealistic?

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