The field of medicine has come a long way from focusing on life-saving operations, correcting birth defects or treating injuries. Science has expanded the realm of possibilities to include the field of cosmetic surgery which offers the promise of undoing physical imperfections and enhancing natural beauty. Therefore the promise lies in making the ideals of beauty into a reality and thereby improves self-confidence.

One of the more common plastic surgery procedures out in the market is rhinoplasty, which is more commonly referred to as 'getting a nose job' or simply nose surgery. Of course, this type of surgery can also be used to remedy breathing problems. However, this is more frequently availed to augment the shape of the nose to meet the aesthetic goals of an individual - that is to improve one's appearance and thereby improve self-confidence and self-esteem.

This procedure is similar to sculpting in the sense that in order to have the desired nose shape, the skin is expertly separated from the bone and cartilage through two methods. The first comprises the cut made inside the nostrils and the other is done across the vertical narrow piece of tissue that separates the nostrils. While the first method is obviously the preferred choice because the incision will be well hidden, the second method claims to be only 3 to 4 mm long, which seems to be almost invisible to the naked eye.

Like all surgeries, this procedure is not spared of the uncertainties and risks. There are known complications (usually done by incompetent plastic surgeons) like bacterial infection, nosebleed and an adverse reaction to the anesthesia used. The best way to go about in having this kind of surgery is to get to know the level of risk involved, have a serious talk with the physician who will be handling the operation and know how to cope with post-surgery effects on the physical and mental state of the patient.

Schedule a consultation with the physician. A competent surgeon will explain the variables involved in the surgery. These variables will include the technique, the anesthesia to be used, the risks involved and most importantly, the options available to the patient. It is the responsibility of the patient to inform the surgeon as well about medical history like allergies and drugs taken, and the general expectations and apprehensions related to the procedure.

In general, it is normal to expect that after the procedure the patient will experience certain discomforts like having a nose ache, headache, and puffy eyes that look swelled and bruised and a little bleeding. These are only minor setbacks because these will gradually improve after sufficient days of rest, applying cold compress on the eyes and through prescribed pain medication. Of course, the patient should go on follow-up visits to the physician to ensure complete healing.

It is believed that the most difficult to confront after any surgery is not the physical after-effects like the swelling and puffiness described earlier. Most patients experience a period of depression after the surgery because the effect of the medical procedure is not immediately apparent. Sometimes it takes a year before the final result of the surgery becomes evident. The most important thing to keep in mind is the reason behind deciding to go through the surgery - that is to feel good about oneself and to satisfy a personal goal.