As with everything else in rhinoplasty, all you need to do is describe the top three things you want improved in the appearance of your nose. Your ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will then help you decide if you need this done to achieve what you want out of the operation.

It makes a big difference if you do it or not for your recovery. I find this step in the operation to be one of the major determinants of how your recovery will be. Without breaking the bones, the recovery is a breeze. With breaking them, you may have a mild case of black eyes, a splint on your nose for up to a couple of weeks, a little more swelling and thus discomfort, etcetera. That being said, I find myself doing it very often — because the patients anatomy needs it to achieve the goal.

Some reasons to break the bones of the nose are if they are too wide at the base.  If they’re not too wide but there is a significant bump on the bridge of the nose that you’re going to have reduced then we need to break them to bring them together once the bump is shaved off. Another reason could be if the nose is really crooked.  There’s a bunch of reasons, fortunately you don’t need to worry about them. Your rhinoplasty doctor should be able to explain to you if you’re going to need it or not…and sometimes he won’t know until during the actual operation. I wouldn’t suggest restricting your surgeon in this regard, he may need it to get you what you desire in your look for your new nose.