Qualifications of a Surgeon for Rhinoplasty Procedure?

You have entered into an area of debate--who knows how to best perform a rhinoplasty? Qualified surgeons may be trained in ENT and facial plastic surgery, general plastic surgery, or maxillofacial surgery. How does one decide? Just being accredited by some society doesn't necessarily mean they are a skilled surgeon. Your best bet is to talk to patients who have had surgery by these doctors, and look at their before and after photos. Make sure the doctor understands what your goals are from surgery. That is the only way you can decide which surgeon better suits your neeeds.

It is unusual (but certainly not impossible) to find an ENT surgeon and an oral surgeon who are also certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  You may want to double check that because the boards do sound very similar.  I would recommend that your surgeon be board certified by either the American Board of Plastic Surgery (mainly plastic surgeons) or the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (mainly ENT surgeons with extra training in facial cosmetic surgery).  If your surgeon happens to be from Canada, he or she may have the Royal College of Surgeons certification, which is deemed to be equivalent.

 

However, don't stop there.  Just making sure your surgeon is board-certified is not enough.  You need to know that he or she is very experienced in cosmetic rhinoplasty.  Also, be sure to view many before and after photos of tip rhinoplasties that your surgeon has done.  If you like the results, you are much more likely to be happy with the results of your own tip rhinoplasty.  If not, keep looking.  For your reference, I have included a linke to this part of my website.

Choose a board certified plastic surgeon or an ENT facial plastic surgeon. Make sure they perform many rhinoplasties per year and look at their before/after photos. Ask about pre op imaging as well.

The best surgeon to perform your rhinoplasty procedure is the one who has dedicated experience in this particular plastic surgery procedure. There are great facial plastic surgeons out there as well as oral maxillofacial  surgeons who perform cosmetic nose reshaping procedures. But within each of these groups you need to find a surgeon who has dedicated a good portion, if not all, of their practice to cosmetic nose surgery. There are definitely some factors you should consider to help you make a more informed decision. One of them is a robust portfolio of their prior rhinoplasty work. Truly dedicated rhinoplasty experts have much larger than average portfolios to show you the wide variety of noses they have done thus demonstrating consistent success with rhinoplasty surgery. These photos should include frontal and side views of the same patient in combination. Taking a side view of a hump deformity correction before and after surgery simply doesn't give you an accurate assessment of that result. You need to see the nose from different angles to judge correctly. Looking at their website, you will also get a fairly quick overall sense that rhinoplasty surgery is one of their specialty procedures. This should be rather obvious by seeing how much information they have on rhinoplasty surgery alone. For instance, our practice website has an entire section dedicated to our online rhinoplasty tutorial that is intended to provide up-to-date information on this one plastic surgery procedure. In addition, we have an entirely different website (Sandiegorhinoplasty.com) dedicated to just cosmetic and functional nose surgery information. I wish you luck in making your final decision. Sincerely, Dr. Hilinski

it sounds like you found two good surgeon, especially if they are "double Board certified". Just make sure by checking with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Both appear very qualified. Than you must rely upon your personal feelings and ask yo met some rhino patients of each. 

If both surgeons are board certified plastic surgeons, they are both qualified.  AS for quality of work, you should see their photos, talk to patients, speak to their staff, and feel comfortable with the doctor.

Hi Christy, if you start with board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery you will have a good start.  Discuss your goals and desires with your surgeon and make sure you have a good channel of communication.  Photo galleries can be helpful but remember they are selected photos so it is not a full representation of possible results.  Make sure you have expressed your desired goals clearly and they have been understood.  Use photos to show the type of shape and appearance you are hoping for.

Best Wishes

Dr. Peterson

If the 2 surgeons you have seen are both certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, then you can be sure that they have had at least 5 years of rigorous training and have been subjected to and passed a very rigorous certification process. 

This means that they have certainly learned the rhinoplasty operation.  Whether they are the right surgeon for you, is a different matter. If they have extensive experience, excellent communication skills, a well run, organized office, and you feel you relate well with them, then they are both surgeons to consider.  You have to do your homework and go with your instincts.

Whether the surgeon has trained in Plastic Surgery or ENT matters less than their experience and results.


 

 

I would suggest a surgeon that does a lot of rhinoplasty.  Look at lots of before and after photos to get a feel for the quality of their work.  Board Certification by The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The American Board of Otolaryngology, The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, or The American Board of Plastic Surgery is recommended.  Warmest regards.

Dr. Pippin