Botox, tummy tuck, face lift, nose job
— these are just a few examples of the many cosmetic surgery procedures carried out in Canada today. If
there’s something about your physical appearance that doesn’t please you, there’s a certified plastic surgeon
who can help you.
Cosmetic surgery’s
popularity and acceptance has steadily increased over the years. With the increased interest, the industry
has expanded the services available to individuals, from skin rejuvenation to earlobe reduction. Along with
an increase in the types of services, members of the industry have invested time and money in developing
safer and more effective procedures, as well as incorporating advanced computer technology to better map the
possible outcomes and end result of certain procedures.
Those seeking a rhinoplasty procedure in Canada are in luck: Dr. Philip
Solomon,
an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon practising facial plastic and facial cosmetic surgery, devotes a
large part of his practice to rhinoplasty. Solomon attended medical school training at the University of
Toronto before spending a year refining his skills in facial cosmetic plastic surgery. He further enhanced
his training by travelling internationally with renowned experts in the field of facial plastic surgery.
Solomon is also one of 12 surgeons in Ontario who have been certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgery.
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, has become one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures
amongst women and men in North America. Solomon believes that the high demand for rhinoplasty procedures is
due to the fact that “it can dramatically change a person’s appearance, more so than any other single
procedure,” making it a “very powerful cosmetic surgical tool that takes between one and a half to two hours
to conduct, with a one-week recovery period.”
Though the procedure is growing as a common practice amongst males, two-thirds of all procedures are still
performed on women and one-third on men. Rhinoplasty’s popularity is not bound by age or race; rather it is a
procedure sought by women and men from various ethnic backgrounds, ranging in age from 15 to 70.
The decision to seek a nose job can stem from medical or cosmetic reasons, perhaps even both. In certain
cases, the sole aim of the procedure is to correct the internal structure of the nose to alleviate breathing
problems. Some patients who undergo the surgery for medical purposes simultaneously incorporate an exterior
reshaping of the nose. Solomon has observed that “younger people choose rhinoplasty to look different whereas
for older individuals it’s done to look younger. As you age, your nose tends to droop. A droopy nose with a
big bump ages the face.”
Rhinoplasty is usually reduction- or augmentation/addition-based. The aim of reduction rhinoplasty is to
reduce the size of the nose whereas the goal of augmentation/addition rhinoplasty is to build up the bridge
and add to the tip of the nose.
Primary rhinoplasty surgery is the term used for nasal surgery conducted on a nose that has not been operated
on before. Secondary revision rhinoplasty refers to surgery conducted to correct problems resulting from a
previous rhinoplasty surgery.
Solomon explains that rhinoplasty “is an interesting operation as it brings in the need for artistry,
technical skill and experience to give patients the best results.” Regardless of the intent behind the
patient’s decision or the type of cosmetic surgery one opts for, it is imperative to find a surgeon who is
not only qualified but has specific experience in the type of procedure being sought.
As with any cosmetic surgery, there are risks. Solomon understands the possibility of negative outcomes and
takes steps to minimize the risks associated with rhinoplasty procedures with thorough pre-operative
evaluations: “Evaluating the patient’s airway, the functional aspect of their nose and its anatomy by a
qualified and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon is crucial in limiting medical complications.”
Just as important is ensuring your surgeon can minimize the possibility of unsatisfactory cosmetic results.
“A surgeon who performs rhinoplasty needs to have an extensive number of techniques. Having a big range of
surgical procedures available for rhinoplasty is the most crucial element in preventing bad outcomes. Someone
who doesn’t perform a lot of rhinoplasties might have a cookie-cutter approach or standardized approach which
will result in problems.”
What makes Solomon a first-choice rhinoplasty surgeon? He specializes in it. By specializing in rhinoplasty,
he has obtained sub-specialty expertise in his field. When asked what sets him apart from other plastic
surgeons, he explains that he’s been in practice since 1999, with well over 1,000 procedures under his belt,
“I’ve been doing this for 12 years and doing approximately 100 procedures a year enhances your skills, where
some surgeons do a handful of rhinoplasties a year.”
Being based in Toronto has allowed Solomon to refine his skills on individuals from a variety of ethnic
backgrounds: “Working in Toronto, which is a multicultural city, there are patients here from all walks of
life with different rhinoplasty goals. I’ve had the opportunity to work on different types of noses, ranging
from Asian to European to African-American patients.”
Solomon explains that “rhinoplasty is an artistic procedure, not a mechanical operation, so what sets every
surgeon apart from each other is their artistic sense of what they view as an attractive, beautiful nose.
There can be many good artists but everyone is different and brings their own skill and artistry to the
table.”
Due to the possibility of medical complications and negative cosmetic results, it is ever more important to
choose a surgeon who has the education, training and experience necessary to address your concerns,
understand your rhinoplasty goals, and provide you with a cosmetic surgery experience catered to your
specific needs. Solomon understands that rhinoplasty “is a delicate operation and it’s an interesting one
because it’s different amongst each patient. Each case is different.” Patients from across Canada choose
Solomon to perform their rhinoplasty procedures due to his extensive training and experience. They would
certainly agree that when it comes to this practice, this doctor knows noses. •
