Patients perceived as more attractive after rhinoplasty

(HealthDay)—Patients after rhinoplasty are perceived as more attractive, more successful, and healthier overall, according to a study published online Oct. 19 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

Jason C. Nellis, M.D., from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues conducted a web-based survey in which blinded casual observers viewed images of 13 unique patient faces before or after rhinoplasty. For each patient image, observers rated the attractiveness, perceived success, and perceived overall health. The survey was completed by 473 observers.

The researchers found that on multivariate regression, patients after rhinoplasty were rated as significantly more attractive, more successful, and overall healthier (rhinoplasty effect, 6.26, 3.24, and 3.78, respectively). For an average individual's perceived attractiveness, success, and overall health, the ordinal rank change was a positive shift of 14, 9, and 10, respectively, out of 100 rank positions.

"These results suggest patients undergoing rhinoplasty may derive a multifaceted benefit when partaking in social interactions," the authors write. "Furthermore, these results facilitate improved patient discussions aiming to provide more precise surgical expectations with an understanding that these results represent optimal outcomes."