Does it help to have ideal result photos during a rhinoplasty consultation?

A very common question when considering rhinoplasty is whether example photos help during the consultation process. Pictures to illustrate a desired result can help a board certified plastic surgeon to understand patient expectations and a desired result.

Most patients considering plastic surgery have an excellent idea as to what changes they want to see as a result of their rhinoplasty procedure and pictures help to give a plastic surgeon a visual representation of these changes.

There are some things that should be considered when bringing photos to a plastic surgeon during a rhinoplasty consultation.  Consultations and examinations should be an open process where patients feel comfortable sharing their goals and expectations. But patients should also be open to discussion since no tall results are possible given the underlying structure of the nose. During a rhinoplasty consultation, a board certified plastic surgeon may suggest the image example isn’t realistic because of the patient’s facial structure.

It is easy to idealize a photo and the structures possessed by celebrities, but it is important to note that photos of celebrities are often best case scenarios and may not actually work for a patient’s personal facial balance.  Photos of celebrities are often “touched up”or edited to make celebrities look their very best.  The final result is a photo of a perfectly shaped nose that may not be possible given the limitations of a rhinoplasty procedure. Tricky camera angles and lighting can obscure the real structure of the nose. Board certified plastic surgeons often prefer photos of family members as their facial structure and nose can be very similar and make the desired results much more likely.

It is also important to note that not all rhinoplasty procedures fit all facial shapes and contours.  In most cases, an idealized nasal shape and size can simply mean facial balance and harmony.  One nose does not fit all.  What looks good on someone else may not look good on you.

Rhinoplasty is a highly personalized procedure and a consultation should be seen in that light. While photos provide excellent examples for a board certified plastic surgeon to gain further understanding in the overall outcome of a rhinoplasty, there may be issues with the photo that make the results impossible or improbable to achieve. A rhinoplasty consultation should be an open conversation between patients and surgeons and this will increase the patient satisfaction following a rhinoplasty.