Keys to Choosing the Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon is the most important decision you can make when considering rhinoplasty (nose job surgery).

Because rhinoplasty is generally considered the most difficult procedure in cosmetic surgery , finding the best rhinoplasty surgeon is essential for obtaining the best rhinoplasty results. Follow these key points to help you narrow your search for the right doctor for you:

• Research Your Doctors Credentials: Your rhinoplasty surgeon should be Board Certified in either Plastic Surgery or Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, & Throat Surgery).  Not all "cosmetic surgeons" have completed the rigorous training that is required to become Board Certified in either one of these specialities. It is important to find a surgeon who understands both the aesthetic (cosmetic)  aspects of nasal surgery as well as the functional aspects. 

• Choose a Surgeon Who Specializes in Nasal Surgery: It is important to realize that not all plastic surgeons, nor all ENT surgeons, routinely perform rhinoplasty in their practices.  It is imperatice to find one that does. Rhinoplasty takes considerable experience and training to get predictable results. Inquire about what percentage of the doctor's practice is devoted to nasal surgery.

• View the Surgeons Rhinoplasty Before & After Results: Most rhinoplasty surgeons maintain a portfolio of examples of their results that compare before and after photos, and many qualified rhinoplasty surgeons have a "Results Gallery" on their websites. You can tell alot about your potential results by looking to see their previous work.

• Ask to See Simulated Results: Your rhinoplasty surgeon should analyze your pre-operative photographs with you and be able to show you graphically their intended results.  Some physicians prefer to use tracing paper to overlay your photographs, while others may show your photos with computer morphing software. 

• Trust Your Instincts: Finding a rhinoplasty surgeon who understands your goals, expectations, and desires.  Communication is paramount, and you should feel comfortable with your surgeon.  Trust your gut.

Rhinoplasty is considered by almost all plastic surgeons as the most difficult operation that they do. Performing a rhinoplasty operation requires knowing what a nose should look like and how it functions. In my opinion, producing a nose that looks great but you can't breath through is a failed operation. Finding a rhinoplasty surgeon who is trained in the function and aesthetic of the nose is important.

• Find a surgeon who is honest about what they can deliver while maintaining the function of the nose. Often patients want an aesthetic look that would produce a functional problem. It is the job of the surgeon to educate the patient as to what they can deliver and what is appropriate for the patient.
• Find a surgeon who understands what a nose should look like. A nose should fit the age of the person it is on, the ethnicity of the person it is on, the sex of the person it is on, and again, should be functional. What looks good on a male face does not necessarily look good on a female face. What looks good on Maria Carey won't necessarily look good on you.
• Find a surgeon who you are comfortable with. A surgeon can be the absolute best rhinoplasty surgeon in the world, but if you are not comfortable with their bedside manner, you may feel afraid to bring appropriate questions and concerns to them after surgery. This can lead to disasterous results which are often avoidable.
• Find a surgeon who has an appropriate training. Plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons are probably your best bet for performing rhinoplasty. Facial plastic surgeons generally have a background as ear, nose, and throat surgeons before specializing in aesthetic surgery. This ENT backgrounds affords them a unique added education in the function as well as the look of the nose. Some still perform sinus surgery so if you are having sinus symptoms, they can often be taken care of at the same time as your nose surgery.
• Determine if your goals are functional or aesthetic or both. Do you have problems breathing out of your nose or are you just wanting a change in the way your nose looks?
• A good surgeon will not be afraid to tell a patient "no" during a consultation. They will also explain all of the risks and benefits of the surgery and understand when patients desire a second or third opinion before pursuing surgery.

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