You’re having a rhinoplasty. That’s about all you know at this point. Your doctor has outlined the procedures, the estimated time for healing and the traditional warnings. But beyond that, you must be wondering if you’re going to wind up looking like the pink-eared friend above. Her nose isn’t very large but they sound alike, don’t they – rhinoceros and rhinoplasty?
Let’s look at this rationally. The term “rhinoplasty” dates back to the early 19th century when medical procedures were significantly less sophisticated than they are now. Chance are good that your anesthesia was primitive or non-existent, the dressings were less than sterile and the surgical environment was a doctor’s office, a barn or your bedroom.
We’ve come quite a way and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the efficient, low stress process. And there are many bright sides. For one, you can impress your friends and local scholars with your newly acquired knowledge. Drop the words rhinorrhea, rhinorrhagia, rhinosalpingitis and rhinoscleroma at a dinner party or bridge game and people will think that you’ve become a medical genius. No need to disclose that they are all medical conditions associated with your about to-be modified and extraordinary new nose.
Beyond all of that wonderful data, there really is no need to justify or explain the reasons for your rhinoplasty. If it’s vanity, you can state that or refuse to do so, smiling sweetly that you and your doctor agreed that it was a clever idea. If it’s medically necessary, don’t feel the obligation to distribute endless pseudo-medical details about the reasons for the surgery. People don’t need to know and if they ask out of pure politeness, an “I’m not sure about the whole medical business” will suffice.
