If you’ve always been self-conscious about the way your nose looks in photos, you can always learn to accept your appearance—but cosmetic procedures are also a safe, effective, and increasingly accepted way of making some subtle tweaks to your facial features in a way that emphasizes your natural beauty. A rhinoplasty (commonly referred to as a nose job) is a surgical procedure that allows you to change the size and shape of your nose. The surgery has remained one of the most popular procedures throughout the world for decades, in terms of facial plastic surgery. In the San Francisco area, triple board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Stanley Jacobs explains that there are a number of factors that plastic surgeons use to determine whether someone would make a good candidate for rhinoplasty.

Before agreeing to have a nose job with any provider, the Jacobs Center for Cosmetic Surgery team recommends that you educate yourself on what’s involved in the process. As you learn about what the surgery can and can’t do for you, here’s what to know about whether you’re a suitable candidate for rhinoplasty:

You’re in a Good State of Health

It’s important to make sure that you’re physically and mentally healthy before you have a nose job. If you have a serious medical issue like obesity, hemophilia, diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, the condition can significantly increase your risk of complications from surgery. Having a condition does not automatically “disqualify” you from having a nose job, but it’s better to discuss your medical history and any medications you’re currently taking with your doctor prior to the operation. In terms of mental health, patients shouldn’t expect a nose job to cure depression or instantly correct self-esteem issues.

You’re a Non-Smoker

Smoking can have a very negative impact on plastic surgery patients. Nicotine use not only significantly elevates the risk of complications, but also makes it difficult for the body to fully heal and recover after you’ve had rhinoplasty surgery. This is because the nicotine in cigarettes prevents oxygen and nutrients from effectively getting to the intended tissues, which can lead to less-than-ideal healing conditions. It’s best to stop smoking several weeks before surgery and be prepared to not smoke for an extended period of time after.

Your Growth is Complete

Surgeons usually prefer that you wait until you’re an adult to choose rhinoplasty surgery, and so do not perform nose jobs on teenagers whose faces haven’t completely developed yet. Dr. Stanley Jacobs waits until the patient is 17 years old, in most cases.

You’re Having it Done for You

Ask yourself why you really want plastic surgery. If you’re thinking about having a nose job, it’s best to do it for the “right” reasons. If you’re undergoing surgery solely for the purpose of meeting societal expectations, to look like celebrity, or please someone else, it’s probably not the best idea. This is a personal decision, and in order to ensure that you’re satisfied with the final outcome, you should maintain realistic expectations and a positive outlook.

You Have Clear Goals in Mind

Before scheduling any consultations, do your own homework and research the benefits of various options to get a better understanding of what will be the best facial plastic surgery procedure for you. A nose job can be done for a variety of reasons, such as changing the size and angle of the nose, straightening the nose bridge, sculpting the nose tip, or making the nostrils narrower. The changes that are made are permanent, though it may sometimes take up to a year for the nose to completely settle into its new shape after the operation.

The patients who achieve the best outcome from surgery usually have a very specific idea of what they want to change and communicate openly with their surgeon about this. The goal for most nose jobs is to create a balanced, harmonious, and natural appearance that doesn’t make it obvious that you’ve had surgery.

Want more details on rhinoplasty and other facial plastic surgery options in the San Francisco area? Contact The Jacobs Center for Cosmetic Surgery by calling (415) 433-0303, or submit a contact form to request an appointment.