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Can a Good Rhinoplasty Be Done by a General Plastic Surgeon?

asked 6 months ago by Winterqueen27
Latest answer by Robert Kotler, MD
Question viewed 216 times
Tags: choosing a surgeon, comparison, specialist

I've always heard that for a rhinoplasty that you need to go to a rhinoplasty specialist or facial cosmetic surgeon. I found a surgeon that is a general plastic surgeon, board certified, that has done hundreds of noses. I looked at his profile and like the results.

12 answers to Can a Good Rhinoplasty Be Done by a General Plastic Surgeon?

Who Should do Rhinoplasty?

There are several disciplines that certify surgeons who do rhinoplasty surgery. Although certification is important, with this operation , which is arguably one of the most difficult we do, select a surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasties. I don't want a surgeon who does mostly facelifts or breast augmentations dong my nasal surgery. If you like the results of a surgeon who does a lot of rhinoplasty work, consult with him.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Many general plastic surgeons are capable of delivering great rhinoplasties.

Dear Auburn5273; The most important factor in the success of a surgeon, whether he is a general plastic surgeon or a facial plastic surgeon, is their devotion to, experience with, and demonstrated talent for rhinoplasty. Typically, the most accomplished rhinoplasty surgeons are those who “major” in rhinoplasty; noses are a major, if not predominant, portion of their practice, and that their passion lies with that procedure. If the surgeon you have consulted is of... more

Robert Kotler, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty by a general plastic surgeon

Of course. Both general and facial plastic surgeons are well qualified and if you saw one with an interest in rhinoplasty and like his work then feel confident in using him. (Some of the most noted rhinoplasty surgeons in the world are general plastic surgeons).

Michael L. Schwartz, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

Can a Good Rhinoplasty Be Done by a General Plastic Surgeon?

Of course, the truth is that Facial Plastic Surgeons, General Plastic Surgeons and well trained Cosmetic Surgeons are all capable of performing Rhinoplasty. I have performed Rhinoplasty, for over 20 years, and IMHO the aesthetic judgement, of the plastic and cosmetic surgeon is what separates the very best from the rest. The most technically gifted surgeon using the wrong aesthetic judgement can not acheive the desired aesthetic result.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Who is qualified to do a rhinoplasty?

Here is my opinion on the matter. What a surgeon refers to themselves and to the public ( facial plastic surgeon, plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon) is related to their formal training. Facial Plastic Surgeons have Otolaryngology training and General Plastic Surgeons have General Surgery training . Cosmetic Surgeons can be Dermatologists, Oral Surgeons, Gynecologists, in fact, just about anyone can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon. That... more

Philip Miller, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drphilipmiller.com

Right Surgeon for Rhinoplasty

A Board Certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon who is experienced in nose surgery is a reasonable place to start when considering rhinoplasty. If your surgeon has done 100s of cases and you like his results, then chances are he is skilled to do the procedure. Regardless of who does the surgery, keep in mind that the revision rates are 5 to 15% and you should discuss this with your surgeon.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Choosing A Rhinoplasty Surgeon

Training and experience are the key to any successful plastic surgery outcome and rhinoplasty is no exception. Regardless of the type of plastic surgeon, what counts is their frequency of performing the procedure and the emphasis that they place on it in their practice. Your research should try and make those determinations before you go forward with the next step of an actual consultation.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Plastic surgeon and rhinoplasty

I think you jsut answered your own question. A board certified plastic surgeon is usually well trained to perform rhinoplasty well. You mentioned that you have seen his results and they are excellent.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty by General Plastic Surgeon

A surgeons skills to perform rhinoplasty does not depend on his/her gender, nationality, medical school; even board certification is a poor qualifier to find the "right" surgeon. In the US, most rhinoplasties are performed by facial plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists and general plastic surgeons. There are some facial plastic surgeons who virtually never perform rhinoplasty. Similarly, many general plastic surgeons specialize in body plastic surgery or hand surgery but do not... more

Frank P. Fechner, MD
Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drfechner.com

Rhinoplasty Surgeon?

Thank you for the question. You will find excellent rhinoplasty surgeons in the different " specialties” that you mentioned. Ultimately, you will have to do your own due diligence in picking the surgeon whose abilities you trust to achieve the results you are looking for. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Trust your face to a facial plastic surgeon

There are many boards that certify plastic surgeons. The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The American Board of Otolaryngology, The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and The American Board of Plastic Surgery all certfiy surgeons who perform rhinoplasty. In general, Facial Plastic Surgeons who are also Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology are preferred for rhinoplasty because they spend their entire training specializing on... more

Gregory Pippin, MD
New Orleans Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.pippinmd.com

General plastic surgeon is qualified to do rhinoplasty

If you have found a plastic surgeon that you like his work and feel comfortable with him,you should be comfortable to let him operate on you. Plastic surgeons have done 5 years of surgical training and then 2 years of plastic surgery training. We go through written exam,then 6 months of case collection and oral examination before getting board certification. We (board certified plastic surgeon) have to get recertification which includes case collection and written exam every ten years. The... more