Are you considering a nose job? Your face is your identity, so changing it significantly is a big decision. Most people who get rhinoplasty for the right reasons are very happy with the results, but there are several important factors to consider.
You Have Checked Your Feelings
How thoroughly do you process how you feel about your nose? When did you first decide it was too big? Did you come to that conclusion yourself, or was it because the other kids teased you? Is your general self-image good enough? Or can you project a lot of social anxiety and insecurity down your nose?
You Have Checked Your Perception
Is your nose really too big or is it the wrong perception you carry? Many pre-teens have temporarily large noses due to a growth spurt, until the rest of the face catches up.
Some people get stuck in their self-image during this awkward time and don’t notice that their faces get more proportionate as they grow older. Look at photos of yourself from different angles, and try to imagine that you are seeing this face for the first time.
You Are Comfortable With Change
Some people accept change while others are afraid. How do you feel about traveling, moving, changing jobs? Have you been wearing the same hairstyle and clothes for a long time, or have you changed with the seasons?
If change isn’t pleasing to you, you may have a hard time adjusting to your new face in the mirror. But if change feels like a fresh start to you, you might just love a new nose.
You Have Realistic Expectations
Rhinoplasty can give you a better, more proportionate nose shape. It won’t make people fall in love with you, open new doors in your career, or draw wealth into your bank account. It also won’t cure you of social anxiety or insecurity. It’s easy to imagine that, with a new nose, you’d become an unstoppable force.
But even people with beautiful noses are awkward and insecure at times. Find a reputable doctor (ideally a surgeon who is dual board certified like Dr. Honrado in Los Angeles) which can tell you what to expect from your procedure.
You are procrastinating
If you’ve been promising a nose job for as long as you can remember but keep making excuses to put it off for just a few more months, you should probably go ahead and do it. It’s tempting to wait until after your vacation, after vacation, after summer, after winter… but the years go by and you live without something you really want. It is best to have this procedure done while you are youngso your skin has the elasticity to “drape” and recover properly.
If you do it for the right reasons, controlling your appearance can be very powerful. A new nose is an exciting gift to offer yourself, one that can enhance how you feel about yourself every time you look in the mirror.
