RHINOPLASTY or cosmetic nose surgery is one of the most popular types of plastic surgery, commonly known as a “nose job.” During rhinoplasty, your nose can be reshaped to correct structural defects like a deviated septum and correct your breathing, remove a dorsal hump, shrink an overly large nose, and more. Rhinoplasty procedures can be done because of injury or for aesthetic reasons. If youโre considering having rhinoplasty, itโs important to ask the right questions and ensure you have all the information you need. Here are some of the most important questions to ask during your consultation.
What Is Your Plastic Surgeonโs Experience, Certifications, and Training?
Before any plastic surgery procedure, you should ask your plastic surgeon about their experience, certifications, and training. They should be able to tell you where they trained, what their certifications are, and how long theyโve been performing rhinoplasty and other plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures. Also, your plastic surgeon should always be board certified by entities relevant to your chosen procedure (in this case, rhinoplasty) like the AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY, the AMERICAN BOARD OF FACIAL PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY, or the AMERICAN BOARD OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY.
What is Your Plastic Surgeonโs Rhinoplasty-Specific Expertise?
Experience in facial plastic surgery is important, but understanding the form and function of the nose specifically is necessary for successful rhinoplasty surgery. The nose plays an integral role in breathing and is a focal point on the face. Your rhinoplasty surgeon should be able to tell you how many rhinoplasties they perform each year and how many years theyโve been in practice for your chosen procedure. Ask about their success rate and what percentage of patients have been satisfied with their results. You should ask how many patients requested and underwent revision rhinoplasties and how many were pleased with the results of those revisional procedures.
What is the Revision Policy?
Reputable plastic surgeons will have a patient-friendly policy on REVISION RHINOPLASTY, so make sure to ask about it and whether they charge a fee for revision. Also, ask how long youโd have to wait before getting a revision rhinoplasty. Although many rhinoplasties are successful and donโt require additional procedures, itโs important to be prepared for the possibility โ in which case, youโll want a plastic surgeon who can help you achieve the results youโre hoping for. At our office, you will consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has extremely low revision rates and can ensure successful results. In fact, many patients are referred to us for a revision rhinoplasty procedure.
How is Rhinoplasty Performed?
Each surgeon will have preferred techniques for their surgical procedure, such as the open or closed techniques. Your surgeon should be able to recommend an open or closed rhinoplasty for your procedure and whether one versus the other is more appropriate for you. In either case, your surgeon should be able to tell you how the rhinoplasty incisions will be placed to minimize scarring post-operation. It can be helpful to get multiple opinions if the answer seems unusual or inappropriate for your goals.
What Results Should I Expect?
Itโs important to know what to expect and what could potentially go wrong. Itโs also important to know what to expect even if things do go right. Your surgeon should be able to show you RHINOPLASTY BEFORE-AND-AFTER PHOTOS of other patients with similar procedures to assess their aesthetic tastes. At our office, you can expect natural-looking results that are proportionate to your other facial features. At your consultation, your surgeon will advise you about what changes will work best with your specific face shape and surrounding features.
What is Recovery Like?
Recovery is one of the most important parts of your plastic surgery procedure, so make sure to have an in-depth discussion about it. This includes what medications you can expect to take and for how long, as well as downtime and how soon you can return to your regular schedule. Your surgeon should be able to give you detailed recovery instructions to follow, as well as contact information in case of any questions.
Why Shouldnโt I Get Rhinoplasty?
The best surgeons will know when to advise patients against their chosen procedures. If this is your experience, it can be helpful to discuss why โ your surgeon should be able to give you a detailed answer as well as professional recommendations for alternatives to achieve the results you want. Weakened nasal cartilages from a previous surgery, underlying medical conditions, and other factors may impact the decision to perform cosmetic rhinoplasty. At the end of the day, your surgeon should be investing in helping you make the best possible choice for your health and aesthetic goals, rather than performing a procedure with no questions asked.
Schedule a Consultation
If youโre in Maryland and interested in your rhinoplasty options, contact the Aesthetic Center at Woodholme to SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION with board-certified plastic surgeons DR. PAPEL, DR. KONTIS, or DR. BROWN. At your rhinoplasty consultation, we will be happy to discuss the procedure in more detail and help you determine a personalized treatment plan that best meets your goals.
Dr. Ira D. Papel is certified in Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Papel earned his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and his M.D. from Boston University of Medicine. He completed a residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and a fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Papel is considered an international expert in rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and facial aesthetic surgery.