The procedure itself varies a bit depending on the ultimate goal.  In general, a patient is put under general anesthesia for a rhinoplasty.  Most incisions are very small and many are made inside the nose, where they will not be visible.  The crease where the nose and cheek meet hides almost all rhinoplasty incisions.

The procedure can involve a number of things.  In many cases, bone and cartilage are removed and shaved down to either shrink the appearance of parts of the nose or to widen the breathing passages.  In some cases removed cartilage or bone from one area may be used to build up another area to create symmetry.  In rare cases, bone positioning must be slightly altered to create a symmetrical appearance.

In conclusion, rhinoplasty can range from simple to quite complex.  It is important to talk with a medical professional before agreeing to surgery to make sure you understand the goals and what the results will be and to be certain that you will be able to handle a new appearance.  Many physicians recommend that patients talk to a counselor to ensure that they have realistic goals for surgery. Some cosmetic surgeries themselves will offer a consultancy service, such as Transform, which are free.

Whether the desires are medical or cosmetic, however, a rhinoplasty may provide the results you need to change the way you think of your nose and your face as a whole.

Certain types of things are understandably considered cosmetic imperfections, as they cause no medical symptoms but can be considered unattractive or unappealing to people who have them.  Things that typically fall into this category are excessive or unwanted body or facial hair, uneven breast placement, wrinkles, sagging skin, and things that typically only affect appearance.  This also includes dental imperfections such as pitting and staining and things such as a crooked or misshapen nose that does not impact breathing function.

Some procedures walk a fine line between medically necessary and cosmetic, and insurance companies have different policies regarding treatment.  Rhinoplasty to correct a cosmetic defect that also impairs a patient’s ability to breathe properly, such as what can occur after a car accident with facial trauma is one procedure that many insurance companies fumble around.  Other procedures include things such as mole removal, which can be cosmetic in nature but can also serve to prevent cancerous growth.

Breast reductions can also be considered either cosmetic or medical in nature, as can dental implants when they are able to impact a person’s ability to eat properly.  In cases such as these, quality insurance and a doctor’s recommendation may be enough to help you find coverage.  For cosmetic procedures, coverage is unlikely even though the procedures may have a profound effect on your self esteem, which is known to significantly impact overall health.  Correcting cosmetic imperfections can change the way you see yourself, and for some people it provides the self esteem boost that is needed to truly restore confidence.