Minneapolis Rhinoplasty doctors

Every surgeon will have his or her own answer to this question, and each of us will likely be different. Some surgeons actually do prefer their longest or more difficult cases to be first or last, since there are mental and physical challenges with each and every operation, no matter how "routine" or "easy." It just depends on how you wish to address them, and whether or not you prefer to be "done" after a hard case, or get the difficulty out of your mind so you can concentrate on the subsequent "easy" work.

In fact, I would suggest that there IS no "easy" case--each patient deserves our utmost attention to detail no matter if it's a mole removal or a lower body lift!

I've been asked this question for as many years as I have been a surgeon (31 since medical school graduation and the start of my surgical residency). And I've truthfully answered that for the first case the patient gets me when I'm "fresh." The last patient of the day gets me when I'm "warmed up." Adrenaline and focus still make me as good on my last case as my first, but I do sometimes arrive  home exhausted. It helps if your surgeon has the capacity to compartmentalize each patient's issues rather than dwell or "stew" on them, because this is one trait that could intrude on another patient's care. I compartmentalize fully between each case, but that's just me.

Ask your surgeon--he or she has been asked this before, and will have an answer ready. Then you can decide where you want to be in the rotation!

   Your photo is a little blurry, but the bump you are referring to could be scar formation or even residual dorsal bone or cartilage. It is too hard to tell from the photo alone and an exam would be helpful. Waiting a month will not change your outcome but I understand your anxiety. I would call the surgeon again and explain your concerns and dissatisfaction and ask for an earlier appointment. Another option would be to ask for a second opinion from another board certified plastic surgeon if you are unhappy with the response from your first surgeon. Good luck.

The truthful answer is "Maybe."

It depends on whether or not the residual bump is due to swelling and scar tissue, whether or not your body will gradually soften and settle the "pseudo-bump," or if the bump is actually bone and cartilage that was inadequately reduced.

Trust me, your surgeon didn't intentionally try to under-reduce your bump, but it can happen. Of the possible "not-quite-perfect" scenarios, it is indeed easier to re-operate and take a bit more than to try to "put it back," but none of us (surgeon or patient) want to have to wait 6-12 months to see how things will really turn out and end up having to re-operate. But that is the reality in a small percentage of patients.

At one month post-op, you should be close to seeing how your nose will look long-term, but it does take 6-12 months to reach a "final" appearance. Judicious steroid injection can help to reduce swelling and scar tissue (if that is the cause for the residual bump), and in some cases can reduce the need for re-operation. Talk to the surgeon you trusted to do your surgery! If the answers you get seem defensive or incorrect, seek a second opinion. Good luck and best wishes!