The face expresses inner feelings as well as various defensive measures aimed at denying or distorting this feeling. Certain conventional interpretations of physiognomy persist, for example, that thick lips mean sensuality or that a prominent nose denotes Semitic origin. The face and the self are identified with each other and the ego is likely to perceive the face as a symbol of the body image. A judgment made about the face is often a judgment about the body image and the self. People often wish to solve a neurotic problem by changing the outer form of the face. The nose, because of its phallic symbolism, receives special attention. After surgery, the ego may feel that the self has been degraded or castrated by the operation, or is unable to handle the new responsibilities seemingly thrust upon it; it may no longer possess the psychic advantage of projecting