A personalised and evidence-based consultation is the cornerstone of sound medical practice in aesthetic rhinoplasty. This guide explains what happens during a surgical nose assessment and how it is used to prepare a treatment plan – from determining if you are a good candidate and ready for surgery – to supporting your wellbeing and optimising outcomes.
Why a Detailed Rhinoplasty Assessment Is Essential
Aesthetic rhinoplasty is not just about reshaping the nose, it has lasting implications for your breathing, your identity, and how you see yourself. A thorough and respectful consultation is the first step in ensuring that the procedure is appropriate, safe, and aligned with your goals. It allows your surgeon to:
- Explore your personal goals and motivations
- Assess your nasal function and overall anatomy
- Analyse your nose in relation to facial balance and proportion
- Review relevant medical history, including psychological wellbeing
- Understand anatomical limitations and define what is realistically achievable
This process establishes the ethical and clinical basis for your personalised surgical plan.
Key Topics Covered in Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
Understanding Your Motivation and Expectations
We begin by understanding why you’re seeking rhinoplasty and what you hope to achieve. Whether you have aesthetic concerns, functional issues, or both; your motivations guide the discussion. We encourage you to describe what bothers you as objectively as possible, so we can explore whether rhinoplasty is likely to address those concerns. We also talk openly about realistic outcomes and how your unique features influence what is possible.
Psychological Assessment for Cosmetic Surgery
In line with the Medical Board of Australia and AHPRA guidelines, every patient undergoing cosmetic surgery must be screened for psychological readiness. This includes the use of validated tools to help identify conditions such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a recognised mental health concern that can significantly influence satisfaction with outcomes and the decision to undergo surgery.
This part of your consultation is confidential, respectful, and designed to protect your long-term wellbeing. It ensures that your decision to proceed is informed, considered, and in your best interests.
Medical History and Health Screening for Rhinoplasty
A safe and ethical rhinoplasty begins with understanding your overall health. Your surgeon will ask about:
- Previous nasal trauma, surgery, or injury
- Breathing difficulties, nasal congestion, allergies, or chronic sinus issues
- Snoring or symptoms suggestive of sleep apnoea
- Medications, including isotretinoin, blood thinners, and supplements
- Lifestyle factors such as smoking, vaping, or recreational drug use
- Skin conditions, infections, or any concerns about healing
These details help ensure that your treatment plan is not only tailored to your goals, but also safe and medically appropriate.
Facial Aesthetic Analysis in Rhinoplasty Planning
Every rhinoplasty assessment includes detailed facial analysis:
Evaluating Facial Proportions and Nasal Aesthetics
We evaluate your facial thirds and fifths, dorsal aesthetic lines, tip projection and rotation, and how your nose aligns with the chin and lips. These proportions are key to understanding how your nose fits within your unique facial structure.
Assessing Skin Thickness and Cartilage Structure
Skin thickness and cartilage strength impact what refinements are achievable. This also helps your surgeon decide between a preservation or structural approach.
Observing Dynamic Nasal Movement
We assess how your nose moves during natural expressions like smiling or speaking. These dynamic changes can reveal subtle asymmetries or structural shifts that inform surgical decisions to enhance both stability and long-term symmetry.
Medical Photography for Surgical Planning
We take medical photographs using consistent angles, lighting, and positioning to support accurate planning and documentation. These images form an important part of your medical record and are stored securely with your consent. Use of photographs for any promotional or educational purposes outside of clinical care will only ever occur with your explicit, separate written consent.
Functional Nasal Examination for Breathing Assessment
Even in aesthetic rhinoplasty, function matters. We examine:
- Septum alignment and turbinate size
- Internal and external valve integrity
- Dynamic airway collapse on inspiration
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(If needed) additional investigations with nasoendoscopy or CT scan
Tailoring Rhinoplasty Techniques to Individual Anatomy
Aesthetic rhinoplasty is highly individualised. Once your goals and anatomy are clearly understood, your surgeon will develop a plan based on:
- The shape and strength of your nasal vault and the degree of refinement being considered
- The characteristics of any dorsal hump and overall bridge contour
- Whether cartilage grafts are needed and where donor tissue might be sourced (e.g., septum, ear, or rib)
- Your cultural background and aesthetic preferences, aiming to refine and preserve identity, not erase it
Simulation tools may be used to assist in communication, helping you visualise potential changes and support the planning process. However, they are not predictive of exact results. Surgical outcomes can vary based on healing, anatomy, and other individual factors. Any visualisations should be viewed as illustrative guides rather than promises or guarantees.
Informed Consent Process and Surgical Timelines
You will be provided with comprehensive information to help you make an informed decision about surgery. This includes:
- Recovery expectations: while early swelling usually subsides within weeks, final results can take 12-18 months
- Potential risks and complications, including dissatisfaction with the aesthetic result, breathing issues, scarring, or the possibility of revision surgery
- Alternative options, including the choice not to proceed, or to delay surgery for further consideration
- Psychological assessment, including mandatory screening for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and any additional psychological evaluation deemed necessary
This process is designed to ensure that your decision is thoughtful, informed, and in your best interest.
How to Prepare for Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
To get the most from your consultation, take some time to reflect and prepare. Think about your top three goals or concerns and be ready to describe them clearly. Your surgeon will want to discuss your breathing, any history of nasal problems, and lifestyle habits that might be relevant. Bringing a list of current medications and any past reports can be helpful. Lastly, jot down any questions you may have; open, honest communication is key to making the most of your appointment.
You do not need to arrive with a fixed idea of what your nose “should” look like. The purpose of the consultation is to understand what’s achievable within safety parameters, and in harmony with your features.
Final Thoughts on the Importance of Rhinoplasty Assessment
Assessment and planning in aesthetic rhinoplasty isn’t just an administrative step, it’s the clinical and ethical foundation of your surgical journey. It ensures your expectations are realistic, your health is prioritised, and your decision is informed. We follow the Medical Board of Australia’s guidance to ensure every step supports both safety and satisfaction.
Rhinoplasty
Dr Rodrigo Teixeira, MD, FRACS, is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Melbourne, Australia, at Unveil Plastic Surgery in East Ivanhoe Village.
Dr Teixeira has extensive experience in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, with a clinical focus on procedures such as facelift (meloplasty), blepharoplasty, and rhinoplasty.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). Internationally, he holds memberships in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), and is part of the faculty of the Anatomy for Injectors Course (afi) and the Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC).
Please note that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks, and outcomes vary between individuals. If you have concerns about your facial appearance or are considering surgery, please speak with your general practitioner, who can provide a referral to a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
For further information, contact Unveil Plastic Surgery on (03) 9000 3800.
