I'm on a personal mission to get rid of the stigma that still surrounds cosmetic surgery in many regions. Why am I on this mission? A small surgery changed my life, and I have never regretted it. I was a very shy child with little confidence due to my protruding ears. It sounds like such a small problem to many people, but it affected me and my self esteem greatly. I saved up in high school while working a part-time job, and as soon as I could afford it, I got my parents to agree to let me have my ears "pinned back" when I was 16. My confidence skyrocketed immediately, and I finally began enjoying life for the first time. I want to help others facing similar problems know that they are not alone, and I hope I can touch many lives with my new blog!
Most people think of rhinoplasty as a procedure to make the nose smaller. Indeed, this is one thing the surgery can achieve. But "rhinoplasty" is actually a more general term that refers to any re-shaping surgery performed on the nose. It's not always about making the nose smaller. Here are some more specific changes you can achieve with rhinoplasty.
Re-shaping the nostrils.
Do you feel like your nostrils are too large or too small? Maybe they are circular in shape, but you would rather they were ovular. A rhinoplasty can be performed to re-shape your nostrils. Sometimes, this is not purely a cosmetic change, either. Widening the nostrils can make it easier for you to breathe through your nose. Or, if your nostrils are unevenly sized, expanding the smaller one can help ensure you breathe more evenly through both sides of your nose.
Widening the nose.
Sometimes people feel as though their nose is too narrow for their face. A really narrow, pointy nose can make your whole face look overly sharp and harsh. A rhinoplasty can be performed to widen the nose a bit. This can be done at the base of the nose near the nostrils, or it can be done further up—it just depends on the current shape of your nose and the shape you're ultimately trying to achieve.
Correcting a deviated septum.
The septum is the piece of connective tissue that runs down the center of your nose, dividing your nostrils. It can become deviated, or in other words, displaced from its position, if you are in an accident involving your nose. Occasionally, people are just born with a deviated septum. This can be corrected with rhinoplasty surgery. After having a deviated septum corrected, patients often have an easier time breathing. This can also change the appearance of your nose, making it appear smoother and more uniformly shaped.
Harmonizing the nose with the face.
Some people feel that their nose looks too harsh and obvious on their face. It may protrude at too large an angle, for instance. This can be addressed during a rhinoplasty. Your cosmetic surgeon can help soften the edges of your nose in various ways, making it look more blended with the rest of your facial features.
Rhinoplasty comes in many shapes and sizes. Talk to your cosmetic surgeon about the exact changes you want; they can likely accommodate them.
Contact a healthcare provider like Susan L. Chobanian, M.D. to learn more.
Share28 February 2022
