Rhinoplasty Remains Near Top of List of Plastic Surgery Procedures

According to a leading plastic surgery organization, of the more than 17 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States in 2009, nose reshaping, or rhinoplasty, was the number two procedure performed with more than 256,000 operations done last year alone.

This dramatic rise is a clear indication of the need for increased diligence and skill on the part of the surgeon performing the operation and careful research of the procedure and options on the part of the patient, according to Dr. Jay Calvert, MD FACS, one of the most well-known and leading plastic surgeons in the nation.

“Alternations to the nose dramatically affect the way a person looks and feels,” says Dr. Calvert, who has offered expert advice on plastic surgery procedures on The Oprah Show and The Tyra Banks Show. “Operations that alter the nose must be delicately performed with deep respect for the individual's facial features and his or her desires. There is no substitute for superior technical ability coupled with a keen aesthetic eye.”

The nose, Dr. Calvert says, can be considered the most dominant feature on the face, meaning that any changes to it will affect the entire look of the patient. He states that this is the reason many people opt to undergo rhinoplasty before most other facially altering procedures in a quest to improve their looks and self-confidence.

Therefore, a surgeon must do a complete analysis of the patient’s facial features as well as talk with them to understand their goals and desires, says Dr. Calvert. And the patient, he adds, has responsibilities as well.

“That is why it is important (for the patient) to find a qualified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience performing rhinoplasty and has achieved consistent results,” he said. “Every nose is as different as the patient requesting a change.”

Rhinoplasty, Dr. Calvert explained, involves many different procedures and techniques, so a surgeon must create a plan customized to the individual needs of the patient. In his own practice, Dr. Calvert says he assesses the needs of each patient and then decides on an open or closed approach to surgery, one that will produce the best results.

“Rhinoplasty requires significant training and experience coupled with a keen aesthetic eye,” says Dr. Calvert. “Balance, structural support, and long lasting beauty are the keys to getting proper results.”

Dr. Calvert has performed rhinoplasty on men, women and young adults, as well as revision rhinoplasty as a result of trauma or an unsatisfactory result from a previous plastic surgery operation. He states that revision rhinoplasty can sometimes be more complex than regular rhinoplasty.

“Revision of a previous rhinoplasty operation is a technically exacting endeavor,” he states. “Additionally, it takes a compassionate surgeon to understand your concerns and to answer your questions when it comes to having your nasal operation revised.”

Dr. Calvert is a board-certified member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and serves the Beverly Hills, Orange County and Los Angeles area. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on plastic surgery and has presented his techniques at national and international conferences. Patients interested in learning more about Dr. Calvert can visit his website, http://www.drcalvert.com/.