THE SMART GUIDE TO RHINOPLASTY

New York City–based plastic surgeon Saman presents a wide-ranging guide to one of the most intricate cosmetic surgeries.

In his nonfiction debut, the author takes a decidedly intellectual, almost philosophical overview of his own specialty—rhinoplasty, which he describes as more than just a surgical procedure, but also “a deeply personal decision, tied to self-confidence, identity, and even function.” In his own practice, Saman performs about 200 rhinoplasties a year, which has not only given him a vast amount of experience on which to draw in this guide, but has also made him familiar with the flood of misinformation (including scary “before” and “after” photos) that prospective patients find on social media. In this book, he seeks to cut through the noise, as he puts it, by laying out every aspect of rhinoplasty from the various motives for choosing it (everything from aesthetics to improved functionality) to its surprisingly long history; the earliest documented evidence of nasal reconstruction, he tells readers, dates to ancient India, just over 2,600 years ago. He also addresses so-called revision rhinoplasty, in which a second procedure is needed to correct the first (“revision surgery is not about erasing the past,” Saman writes; “it’s about making the best of what remains … it’s a rescue mission”). He also discusses the risks and limitations of nonsurgical rhinoplasty that relies on injectable filler, key concerns about facial symmetry, and a wide array of other aspects of his subject. Saman adopts a warmly sympathetic tone to convey all this information; he never judges readers who may be considering rhinoplasty, but rather patiently instructs them on their options. He urges people who may be considering the procedure to do their research before going in for their first consultation—to assess the track records of potential surgeons, learn from patient testimonials, and make careful use of “inspiration” photos for guiding the aesthetic results.

An impressively knowledgeable and supportive look at the intricacies of rhinoplasty.