Nasal Plastic Surgery (Rhinoplasty) or "nose job" involves changing the bone and cartilage framework of the nose in order to improve its outside appearance. Patients often seek this type of surgery due to concern that their nose is out of harmony with the rest of their face. The nose may be excessively large (or small), crooked, or may contain an unwanted hump or other deformity. Generally speaking, an attractive nose is one that draws attention to the person's eyes, rather than to the nose itself.

Rhinoplasty is a delicate operation, and requires careful planning and meticulous technique. Your end result will depend on the experience and skill of your surgeon. It is important to examine multiple before and after photos, from multiple angles, to evaluate your surgeon and to determine the type of result you are likely to obtain. Many plastic surgery offices welcome patients from across the country seeking their specific surgeon's expertise in nasal surgery.

It is important to remember that rhinoplasty surgery is part art and part science. The artistic part involves the surgeon listening to his or her patient's desires for improvement, and then meshing these desires with his own aesthetic standards and skill to obtain the best possible result. The goal is to create an attractive, aesthetic nose that is in balance with the face, but will also be natural-looking. The science of rhinoplasty involves creating a nose that will withstand the test of time and maintain its structural integrity, as well as its functionality as an organ of respiration.

At your consultation, you will meet your patient care coordinator, who will strive to make your visit as enjoyable and informative as possible. Photos will be taken for medical record purposes, and you will then meet with your plastic surgeon for an in-depth examination and discussion.

Computer imaging is a very useful tool that many surgeons use in their office to enhance patient understanding and to set realistic goals. Using the computer, they are able to show their rhinoplasty patients what they may look like after surgery, and this generally leads to greater satisfaction with the results.

Occasionally, patients may benefit from adjunctive procedures such as chin implant or cervical (neck) liposuction to further enhance the profile.

In planning your rhinoplasty, it is important to take into consideration the need for any functional surgery to correct blocked breathing passages in the nose. This may relate to a deviated nasal septum, hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates, or inward motion of nasal sidewalls with respiration (nasal valve collapse). If such a problem exists, this portion of the rhinoplasty may be covered by your insurance.

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in La Jolla, California and plastic surgery procedures like rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, liposuction, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, and breast augmentation.

Tags: plastic surgery, california, rhinoplasty, nose job, beauty, nasal surgery, nasal contouring, la jolla