Computer Imaging FAQ

Computer Imaging and Nose Surgery Goals

Question: Dear Dr. Spittler: My nose has always bothered me; it's a little too large, meaning too high with a hump. I have thought about plastic surgery, but am afraid of looking vastly different afterwards. I still want to look like me. Do plastic surgeons each perform "nose jobs" a certain way? And how much do they cost?

Answer: A "nose job" is popular slang for a rhinoplasty in Maryland, which is the surgical procedure for correcting imperfections, or reshaping, the nose. The most common reasons for which rhinoplasties are performed are to reduce the overall size, to reshape a bulbous tip, to remove a hump on the bridge or to improve a poor angle between the nose and the upper lip.

Working through an incision inside the nose, the nasal bones comprising the bridge are modified to produce a narrower bridge. When a large hump is removed during a Maryland rhinoplasty, the base of the nose might need to be proportionately narrowed. Your concern about your desired result is justified. Good communication with your surgeon is critical. I find that computer-imaging sessions have improved the communication with my patients, thereby improving their satisfaction with their result.

First, I meet with the patient to discuss their goals, then one of our patient counselors photographs the nose and face and performs the computer imaging per my instruction. We then review a computer-generated alteration together to be sure that the patient understands the surgical goals and how they are to be achieved. The average cost for a rhinoplasty in Maryland, including surgeon's fee, anesthesia and the operating room time is $4,000 to $5,000.

Dr. S

More About Computer Imaging

Question: Dear Dr. Buhrer: Friends of mine have talked about the use of "computer imaging" to envision plastic surgery results. Do you offer computer imaging? Is this the best way for me to learn about various procedures and how each can improve my look?

Answer: Yes, we do offer computer imaging and have found it to be of great value to our patients – especially those seeking rhinoplasty. We are continually amazed by how computer imaging dramatically improves a patient's ability to visualize all the possibilities and improves the doctor-patient communication. We use the most advanced imaging system available, Mirror Image, with state-of-the-art tools and digital cameras.

I am particularly proud of how our patient counselors and nurses use computer imaging to explain what is and is not possible. With regard to rhinoplasty, computer imaging has been remarkably fast and accurate. As surgeons, all of us review the alteration result on the computer with the patient to discuss what can be achieved realistically and how we would approach it surgically. Let me describe a few examples of how computer imaging has helped patients to understand what can be accomplished:

Face Lifts: Computer imaging shows our patients which areas can be improved by being able to see a side view of a facelift. Before-and-after photos show how dramatically the neck can be improved as part of the lower portion of the facelift. This process also works with other facial procedures, such as a rhinoplasty in Annapolis.

Eyelid Surgery: In many cases, we need to discuss upper versus lower eyelid surgery or even a brow lift to treat the upper eye region around the eyebrow. Each area is handled differently and the altered image allows the patient to fully view the possible result from each approach.

Whether you're inquiring about rhinoplasty, chin augmentation, facial contouring, or facial liposuction, the use of computer imaging has helped us predict results quickly and accurately, allowing doctors and patients to see what's in store for their makeover.

Dr. B