Interview with Dr. Rodríguez: “The best rhinoplasty is the one that goes unnoticed”.

Dr. Adriana Rodriguez has extensive experience correcting aesthetic facial defects. She is a specialist in Facial Plastic Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat surgery).

 

The specialty of otorhinolaryngology has undergone great advances in the last decade, including in the cosmetic aspect. Is it safer and more gratifying to have a nose job nowadays? What techniques have made operations so successful?

Yes. In rhinoplasty, as in medicine in general, advances have led to new techniques that have been perfected over time. Nowadays, not only has the surgical technique been perfected, but also the preliminary study to know what can and cannot be done with that patient.

The type of procedure depends greatly on the specific nose; each face is different and each person is unique. Nowadays there is a set of techniques available to a surgeon for solving the issues of a particular nose.

In my case, the methods I employ achieve a natural look to the patient’s face. I believe that a cosmetic operation is better the more it goes unnoticed and the less noticeable it is; always striving for a nose in perfect harmony with its face.

 

What are the most common nose defects you see?

That is an interesting question because it depends on the country. In the case of Spain, the most common nose defect that patients want corrected is a large nose with a prominent bridge and thin skin. In other countries one can expect to see a higher frequency of wide noses, thick skin and a small bridge. These particularities are decisive when choosing the best surgical procedure.

 

One of those medical achievements that have improved rhinoplasty so much is pre-operative studies and simulation. What exactly is this and why is it so important?

Nowadays, a medical examination begins with an analysis of the nose’s functionality. We examine the inside of the nose to rule out the existence of certain health issues that the patient himself is often unaware of, such as septal perforations for example. This first step is essential, especially in cases where patients themselves report difficulty breathing.

Secondly, we carry out an aesthetic evaluation. Throughout history, human beings have endeavoured to study the aesthetic proportions of a harmonious face, and how these contribute to our perception of beauty. As part of the pre-operative studies, we take different measurements of the face to carry out this aesthetic analysis.

But that is not all. We also analyse other elements such as the osteocartilaginous structure, or the quality of the skin. It is during this examination that we take the opportunity to photograph the face from certain specific angles in order to study the aesthetic lines of the nose. The images are a great help in determining which aesthetic defects need to be corrected by surgery.

These photographs allow us to then conduct the simulation. This is a very important tool, not only for analysing the necessary corrections, but also for the patient to better visualise and understand the surgical procedure – its goals and limitations, as well as what exactly it will entail.

 

What role does the nose play in facial harmony?

The nose plays a very important role. It is the centre of the face and when we see a nose with a defect it is the first thing that catches our attention. On the other hand, it is curious what happens when the nose is in harmony with the rest of the face: it goes completely unnoticed. In fact, there are studies that demonstrate that when the nose is beautiful and natural, the first thing people notice are the eyes.

 

In addition to the aesthetic aspect, can nose jobs also improve nasal function?

Yes they can. It is important for patients to know that the aesthetic defects and functional issues can be addressed together in the same surgical procedure. There should be no need to undergo surgery twice.

 

Many people suffer years of discomfort that could easily be corrected with surgery because they fear going under the knife. What would you say to them?

I would encourage them to take the plunge because those patients who do, have no regrets whatsoever. This surgery is not painful. The most annoying part of the post-operative period is the endonasal packing which in some cases may last 48 hours, but that’s it. The post-operative care is easy to follow, for example, avoid blowing your nose to prevent bleeding. Some swelling is also normal, but this is controlled by medication and does not usually cause any major problems. The results are really worthwhile.