Around 14.6 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2012, while an estimated 243,000 of that total accounts for rhinoplasty procedures.

We all have our own thoughts on the infamous “nose job” procedure. But what is rhinoplasty, really? First of all, a rhinoplasty specialist will explain to you that this cosmetic surgery is to help make patients more confident about their facial appearance. The surgery can also help fix any functional issues with the nasal airway.

This seems straightforward enough, but there are plenty of myths circulating about this cosmetic surgery. Here are five myths about rhinoplasty — debunked.

1. Rhinoplasty is an easy procedure.
   False. Rhinoplasty is the most difficult and complex cosmetic surgery because a rhinoplasty specialist must be able to match the nose and the rest of the face perfectly. Wide nose rhinoplasty is especially difficult: making the nose too narrow when the individual has a wide face will disrupt the harmony of the face.
2. You can easily tell if someone had a nose job.
   True — but only if those individuals didn’t see the top rhinoplasty surgeons in their area. It’s easy to get a nose job, but if you want top of the line results, you will need to seek out better surgeons. Of course, the rhinoplasty costs are usually very expensive, but it is worth the investment. A good rhinoplasty should appeal natural.
3. All plastic surgeons can perform a rhinoplasty.
   False. Cosmetic surgeons usually have their own niches; they prefer and specialize in certain procedures over others, such as soft tissue fillers, of which there were 2 million administered in the U.S. between 2012 and 2013. A rhinoplasty specialist is exactly that — a specialist. You wouldn’t want someone who deals with cosmetically fixing ears to perform your rhinoplasty surgery.
4. I’ll probably need to go back for another surgery.
   False. Rhinoplasty surgeries should be a one time deal. You may only hear about the surgeries that didn’t work out for the patient (which only accounts for 10 to 15% of cases). However, keep in mind that due to varying anatomies, skin, and healing time, a second surgery may be needed, but usually to fix a small issue such as a residual bump.
5. Rhinoplasty surgery is only for the vain.
   False. There is only a small percentage of people who undergo the cosmetic surgery who are truly vain and depend solely on their appearance in order to succeed in life. Most people are your average Joe and are simply seeking to boost their self-esteem or fix a structural issue that has been causing issues throughout their life.

Talk to a rhinoplasty specialist about any other myths, thoughts, or concerns about this cosmetic surgery procedure. Always weigh the costs and benefits before deciding on the surgery as well. Links like this.