Opting for a rhinoplasty or ‘nose job’ is a big decision. In the world of plastic surgery, it’s more than just a tweak. This complex procedure involves navigating the delicate nasal structures while maintaining unique features. A “good” nose job can enhance one’s features, while a “bad” one can lead to distress and unhappiness and sometimes needs revision. These four patient stories demonstrate that achieving a great result isn’t about getting a perfect nose, but rather aiming for the one that’s perfect for your face.
Rhinoplasty continues to be among the top three facial procedures.
Source: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Featured experts
- David W. Kim, MD is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in San Francisco.
- James Bouzoukis, MD is board certified as a facial plastic surgeon in Scottsdale, AZ.
- Anthony Bared, MD is a board certified facial plastic surgeon in Miami.
- Barry Weintraub, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York.
Case 01: College-bound outline
Patient: Joey, 18 | Procedure: Primary Rhinoplasty | Location: New York, New York | Plastic Surgeons: Barry Weintraub, MD
What is: Rhinoplasty involves reshaping the nose to improve its appearance. It can address issues such as dorsal hump, asymmetry, or the overall size and shape of the nose. It can also be performed to correct breathing difficulties caused by structural problems in the nose, such as a deviated septum, but its main focus is on cosmetic improvement
Joey’s Story: “I’ve always had a problem with my nose,” says Joey. “Every time I took a picture or a selfie, I found myself having to edit my nose. It was the first thing I noticed. I really didn’t want to take pictures because of that.”
Her concerns centered around her bulbous tip and bridge width. She says, “I wanted it to be more narrow, defined and feminine.”
Determined to enter college with more confidence in her appearance, she set out to find the right surgeon. “She was determined,” says Joey’s mother, Lauren. “Personally, I was against her having surgery or changing anything on her face.”
Joey says her top priority was getting a natural result. “I went for three consultations with different surgeons. I ended up going with Dr. Weintraub because he really understood what I wanted.”
Dr. Weintraub says, “Like many of my patients, Joey wanted a very natural result, so we conservatively trimmed the tip and cartilage. This stopped her nose from drooping when she smiled.”
The end result: “My friends and family notice a change, but they can’t quite pinpoint what it is,” says Joey. “I absolutely love my results.”
Lauren says she admires Joey’s determination: “She looks beautiful, but most importantly, like herself.”
“I thought she was perfect the way she was. But now I can see how much happier she is and how natural she looks, and I’m glad she didn’t listen to me,” says Lauren.
Case 02: Secondary success
Patient: Tina, 52 | Procedure: Rhinoplasty Review | Location: San Francisco, California | Facial Plastic Surgeon: David W. Kim, MD
What is: A specialized surgical procedure that addresses and enhances the results of previous rhinoplasty. If a patient is dissatisfied with their initial results, experiences disfiguring complications, or develops functional problems, a revision can help. In some cases, it may be necessary to take cartilage from areas such as the ear or ribs to achieve the desired improvements.
Tina’s Story: “My rhinoplasty journey began with my first operation at the age of 18,” says Tina. While it initially improved the appearance of her nose, over time, her anatomy began to change and change. This led to her decision to have a revision at the age of 52. “I just hated the way she looked. It was like, “I did this job, and it didn’t even last.”
“While I loved my initial results throughout my 20s and 30s, my nose seemed to curve, the bump became more noticeable and the overall shape had changed. I felt it looked worse and worse as the years went by.”
Tina says she chose Dr. Kim after a long search because she liked his approach. “His focus was to address all the discrepancies and provide a natural look by lifting the tip, smoothing out bumps and ridges, and then straightening my nose.” To achieve this, Dr. Kim used rib cartilage to create a straighter nose and correct internal deviations.
The end result: “My nose looks natural. It fits my face and is straight now,” says Tina. “It completely changes everything. It has also improved the symmetry of my face, even when my hair is in a high ponytail.”
Tina’s advice before choosing a surgeon: “Make sure you’re confident in your plastic surgeon’s abilities and that your expectations match. It’s hard to fix your nose after it’s been damaged.”
Case 03: The “Wet Nose Job”
Patient: Adam, 60 | Procedure: Non-surgical rhinoplasty | Location: Scottsdale, AZ | Facial Plastic Surgeon: James Bouzoukis, MD
What is: A non-surgical rhinoplasty, often called a “wet nose job,” is minimally invasive and involves the injection of dermal fillers to reshape the nose. Expertly placed filler can smooth out imperfections, provide more definition and improve symmetry. The results are temporary, but it offers a faster, less invasive alternative to surgery.
Adam’s story: Adam’s choice to have a non-surgical rhinoplasty at age 60 was fueled by his desire for a non-committal facelift. “I wanted something that would be subtle, but effective. If I didn’t like it, I could change my mind. It wasn’t a permanent surgical thing.” His primary goal was to make his nose straighter and lift the tip.
“It was a great experience from start to finish. Dr. Bouzoukis made me feel comfortable with the procedure and the injection in my nose. He explained the process, the risks, the benefits, and how long the results would last.”
The procedure itself was almost painless, Adam says, with minimal bruising and swelling that gradually subsided over the course of a week or two. “I loved that I could see an immediate improvement right away, before I even left the office.”
The end result: Offering advice to those considering a ‘wet nose job’, Adam says it’s a win-win, especially if you want a pre-op preview. “Everyone wants to look in the mirror and be happy with how they look. I think it has made a noticeable difference. I really like my nose now. I wasn’t crazy about it before – it wasn’t that I hated it – but now, it’s a net positive in my mind.”
“I go every 10 months and I don’t think I’ll stop. It has made a huge difference to how I look and feel,” says Adam.
Case 04: Face Balancing
Patient: Alexia, 20 | Procedure: Ethnic Rhinoplasty with Ultrasound Technique | Location: Miami, Florida | Facial Plastic Surgeon: Anthony Barred, MD
What is: Ethnic rhinoplasty is a type of nose surgery designed to preserve the patient’s ethnic heritage and achieve a more refined nose shape and size. This procedure takes into account the different distinctions between different ethnicities, including variations in skin thickness, nasal tip and nostril size, and nasal bridge width. It requires an understanding of the typical facial features of various ethnic groups and tries to preserve the unique features of each group.
Alexia’s story: “Growing up, I was never bullied, but I was always insecure about my features,” says Alexia. “I didn’t look that much like my family. I had a big hump on my nose and it was very crooked.” At 18, she decided to have a nose job to address her concerns. “I chose Dr. Bared because he made me feel so comfortable and was very realistic in setting expectations of what he could do. And he fully delivered. He did a Spanish Rhinoplasty.
I’m from Guatemala, and while I wanted to fix my hump and bulbous limb, I didn’t want to change my face. I wanted a more raised edge and a straighter side profile, but I still wanted to look like me.
The end result: Dr. Bared focused on giving Alexia symmetry and a more balanced nose that fit her face. “She could do all these things and I think I look a lot more like my mum now because my nose looks a lot more like hers. Before, I didn’t look like her at all.” Alexia says what she loves most about her result is that her other facial features remained unchanged. “My nose looks much more refined and suits my face. It has definitely improved my confidence. I’ve never felt so comfortable with myself. That was the biggest thing for me.”
“I don’t even feel the need to wear makeup when I go out. I feel like my inner beauty has finally been released,” Alexia says of her new nose.
