Dr. Thomas Buonassisi, FRCSC, ABFPRSAuthor · Reviewer
Facial Plastic Surgeon · Founder, 8 West Clinic · Vancouver, BC
Dr. Buonassisi is a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in facial surgery exclusively. He has performed over 2,500 rhinoplasties and is the founder of 8 West Clinic in Vancouver. All content in the Knowledge Hub is written or reviewed directly by Dr. Buonassisi.
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<h2>What is Computer Imaging in Rhinoplasty?</h2> <p>Computer imaging in rhinoplasty is a sophisticated tool that allows patients to visualize potential outcomes of their surgical procedure. Unlike traditional photoshopping, which can create unrealistic images, computer imaging is performed by the surgeon and is based on surgical principles. This technology helps patients understand what can realistically be achieved through surgery, ensuring that their expectations align with possible results.</p> <p>The process involves the surgeon making adjustments to a digital image of the patient’s nose, demonstrating how specific surgical techniques can alter its appearance. This not only aids in visualizing the changes but also fosters a collaborative discussion between the patient and the surgeon regarding aesthetic goals and surgical feasibility.</p> <h2>How Does Computer Imaging Differ from Self Photoshopping?</h2> <p>Self photoshopping allows individuals to manipulate their images based on personal preferences, often leading to exaggerated or unrealistic representations of their desired outcomes. In contrast, computer imaging conducted by a qualified surgeon is grounded in medical expertise and an understanding of anatomy. The surgeon ensures that the changes made in the imaging are achievable through surgical methods.</p> <p>While self photoshopping can provide insight into what a patient finds aesthetically pleasing, it may not reflect what is surgically possible. This distinction is crucial, as unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment post-surgery. The surgeon's role in the imaging process is to guide patients toward achievable results that enhance their natural beauty.</p> <h2>Why is Surgeon Involvement Important in Computer Imaging?</h2> <p>Surgeon involvement in the computer imaging process is essential for creating realistic expectations. A skilled surgeon will not only make adjustments to the image but also explain the surgical maneuvers that will lead to those visual changes. This educational aspect helps patients understand the limitations and possibilities of rhinoplasty, fostering a more informed decision-making process.</p> <p>Moreover, the surgeon can provide an honest assessment of the likelihood of achieving the desired results. This transparency is vital, as it helps build trust between the patient and the surgeon, ensuring that both parties are aligned in their goals and expectations for the surgery.</p> <h2>Can Self Photoshopping Be Useful in the Rhinoplasty Process?</h2> <p>While self photoshopping is not a substitute for professional computer imaging, it can still play a role in the rhinoplasty journey. Patients may use photoshopped images to express their aesthetic preferences and highlight specific features they wish to enhance or modify. This can serve as a valuable starting point for discussions with the surgeon.</p> <p>However, it’s important for patients to understand that photoshopped images may not always look natural or achievable. The surgeon can use these images as a reference to gauge the patient’s aesthetic goals but will ultimately rely on computer imaging to provide a more realistic representation of what can be accomplished through surgery.</p> <h2>What Should Patients Expect from Computer Imaging Sessions?</h2> <p>During a computer imaging session, patients can expect a collaborative experience where they work closely with their surgeon. The session typically begins with a discussion about the patient's aesthetic goals and concerns. The surgeon will then create a digital image of the patient’s nose and make adjustments based on the desired changes.</p> <pPatients should come prepared with any ideas or references they have, including any self-photoshopped images, to facilitate the conversation. The surgeon will explain the changes being made and how they relate to surgical techniques, ensuring that patients leave the session with a clear understanding of what to expect from their rhinoplasty procedure.</p>
Full Transcript
interesting procedure. Happy patients are educated patients, and that's why every question is a good one. So how is computer imaging different than you photoshopping your nose? The big difference is that I'm doing it. And when you're photoshopping your nose, might have some ideas about what you think looks good if you were a painter, but when I'm doing the computer imaging, I'm making changes to the nose that are possible with surgery, and I think that's the big difference. There are things that you can do with a computer program that you just can't do with surgery, and I don't think there's a real point in me showing you something that I can't actually achieve with surgery. So this is why I think it's very important with your computer imaging that your surgeon does the computer imaging with you, explains what surgical maneuvers will result in the visual changes that they're describing, and gives you an honest opinion about, the certainty, that you're gonna achieve those results. So that doesn't mean that you shouldn't Photoshop your nose. It's perfectly fine. It gives me lots of information about what you think is good aesthetic result. I can tell you though that from years of doing this that often patients will show me their computer imaged photos and they often don't look particularly natural. They've done things that are outside of what's possible surgically. Sometimes they'll change one feature so much that it doesn't look like a natural nose anymore. And so I I although I I I'm happy to look at photos that people have imaged or I'm even happy to look at photos of other people that they bring in and show me, but it's really just for me to get a sense for what their aesthetic goals are in general. I don't, I certainly don't work off of those photos and I think that I encourage people to have a look at the computer image photos that we do in the office as the likely result of surgery. Thanks for listening, and check back regularly for new questions and my honest answers about rhinoplasty.
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