It’s no secret that cosmetic surgery is becoming more socially accepted. From reality television shows to everyday life, it’s difficult to find someone who hasn’t considered a cosmetic procedure like rhinoplasty. But how does one prepare for a cosmetic procedure like that? Here’s a quick look at the process.
Medical History
As with any other surgical procedure, it’s important to discuss your medical history with your doctor before the procedure is even planned. This will include any history of nasal obstruction, previous surgeries, and current medication you’re taking. In addition, it’s vital to discuss any bleeding disorders, which may actually prevent you from having a rhinoplasty procedure performed.
Motivation
What are your goals for this procedure? What was your original motivation? Similarly to a tummy tuck, breast lift, or eyelid lift, it’s important for both you and your surgeon to know what your motivation behind a nose job is. Whether it’s purely cosmetic or there’s another underlying issue, make sure you make your case clear to your surgeon.
Physical Exam
Your physical exam is critical in determining what changes can be made to your nose and how they’ll affect your appearance. More importantly this physical exam, complete with blood work and other important laboratory tests, will help determine how the changes to your nose will affect your breathing after the procedure has been completed.
Photos
Before you even meet for your initial consultation, do some research on what you might want your nose to look like. Reference pictures of celebrities or even different noses photoshopped onto your own face can be great to start with. In addition to the photos you bring, your doctor’s office will take photos as well. These photos, both the original and the projected image of your nose, may be used to gauge the actual results of your procedure.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), Americans spent upwards of $13.5 billion on aesthetic procedures in a single year. But before any of those procedures could be performed, adequate prep work had to be done. Don’t forget these vital steps when considering any cosmetic procedure.