How do you know you can really trust your surgeon for rhinoplasty?

Question

I've been reading nightmare horror stories on here regarding surgeons. It seems that a lot of them are nice until they get paid. I'm considering a nose job but part of me would rather live with my nose then have a terrible outcome. What scares me are these doctors cutting off unnecessary parts like the columella. I like the length of my nose, just not my bumpy bridge. How do you prevent something like this? It seems like doctors just stick with their aesthetics.

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

When a truly excellent surgeon has a dissatisfied patient, it's almost always because the patient achieved less improvement than she and the surgeon were hoping for. It's just about never the case that something went off the rails and the nose looks completely wrong.
An excellent surgeon can evaluate your particular situation and give you a good idea of what might go wrong, and the likelihood. He knows which features are more predictable to change, and which are less.
You limit your risk by doing an excellent job of selecting your surgeon. Be sure to read the section in the "Learn more" link on how to stay out of trouble while searching for a rhinoplasty surgeon. You should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. 
I usually make computer morphs when I'm answering questions like this, to show the changes that are possible for a nose with a rhinoplasty, but of course you didn't post any photos. At the *very* bottom of the "Learn more" page is a link to instructions on taking and sending photos that are comprehensive and useful for an online consultation like this, in case you'd like a more complete evaluation.

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

Your concerns are very real. I would select your rhinoplasty surgeon based upon experience, their ability to correct any issues that might be required as in revision procedures and  what costs would be involved if that should transpire, certification by the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery or American Board of Plastic Surgery, photographs of previous patients including staff members. My personal approach is not one of "cookie cutting" as I do not have a one size fits all category for rhinoplasty. I think the nose should look as natural as possible and most people should not be able to tell if you have had your nose corrected or not. Some surgeons, unfortunately, have one approach to all of their rhinoplasty procedures. My approach depends upon each person's unique anatomy and I also believe that less is better and often the best results  and most predictable results are obtained when less surgery rather than more surgery is completed. Good luck with your decision.

Richard Greco, MD · Answer

This is one of the most important question any prospective patient can ask.  First, ask friends, nurses, and your primary care doctor for recommendations.  Do an online search - read patient reviews, look at their websites and look at their pre and postoperative photos.   Search for a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon on Plasticsurgery.org.  Go visit 2 or 3 doctors.  Have them give you recommendations, look at his personal before and afters, ask him if he can morph or show you what you might look like,  GO with whom you feel most comfortable with - not always the cheapest.  It is your face.Go visit

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It is very
important that you thoroughly research your surgeon before committing to
surgery. It is a good idea to research your surgeon's educational background,
online reviews, before & after pictures, and speak with anyone who you may
know who has had surgery with that surgeon. During your consultation, make sure
that you don't feel rushed and make sure that you have adequate time with your
surgeon and not just their patient coordinator or nurses. If the majority of
your consultation is spent with someone other than the surgeon, this is usually
not a good sign. The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified expert surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

Rhinoplasty is one of the most challenging and artistic procedures. I always recommend seeing an experienced Board Certified PS, and preferably a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery -for in person exam- who specializes in closed technique -especially since you're opposed of the unnecessary scar on a columella. Pay attention to the before and after photos- and see if you like the Surgeon's style. For more info you can view the video attached

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

I recommend you look for a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty to discuss your goals, examine you or do a virtual consultation if you are from out of town, do a virtual simulation, and show before/after pictures to give you a better idea of what type of results you can expect to get. A large experience of rhinoplasty cases and excellent reputation matter. Good luck!

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

You are correct to be thoughtful and cautious as you consider such an important decision. It is also true that you tend to hear more from the dissatisfied patient than from the happy one. The diction to undergo a rhinoplasty should be based on several factors, the most important being that you feel that your quality of life would be enhanced if you underwent a correction that made your nose appear the way you wish it to appear. In terms of selecting a surgeon, you want to make sure that he or she is board certified either as a plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon (usually ENT training as opposes to PLASTIC SURGERY training), and that your surgeon is both experienced in rhinoplasty surgery, and has a sense of aesthetics that aligns with your own. This is best determined by viewing their before and after gallery. Once you have made a decision to schedule a consultation, make sure you feel comfortable with your surgeon and that you communicate well with each other. You should also feel good about the office staff, and not feel intimidated or rushed. When in doubt, consider a second opinion, or even third. Best of luck to you.

Marcelo Ghersi, MD · Answer

There are numerous qualified rhinoplasty experts out there. Look for a board certified surgeon with a large picture gallery and a lot of positive reviews. Go see a few doctors that do a lot of rhinoplasty (100+ per year) and then go with your gut feeling.

Ritchie Younger, MD · Answer

One of the monikers for Board Certified  Facial Plastic Surgeons is " trust your nose to a facial plastic surgeon!!"  Indeed, seek out a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon who has vast experience operating on NOSES-and your likelihood of getting an honest assessment and a fantastic surgical result is high to say the least.  If in doubt,  seek out a couple of surgeons and get  multiple opinions........ and commit to the surgeon who you find the most comforting and reasonable to interact with....you will no doubt be rewarded with a predictable, outstanding result !!Good luck to you in your quest !!

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

First you have to make sure you have a doctor with the right training.  They should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery.  There are many other board certification types, but they don't apply to this surgery.  Next, check to make sure the board certification is real.  Yo can do this on plasticsurgery.org, surgery.org, or abms.org.  This will mean you have the right person, but of course, as you said, it does not answer the question of aesthetics.  For that, you will have to visit the surgeon you've looked up and speak with them to find out if you like their approach, their plan, and their prior results.

How do you know you can really trust your surgeon for rhinoplasty?

Answers (12)

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