Start by Setting Goals
So you’ve opted to undergo rhinoplasty: congratulations are in order! Rhinoplasty surgery can be a very exciting and even life-changing event, but, as with any significant decision, it’s integral that you give it careful consideration so you’re better equipped to communicate your needs and goals to your surgeon. What part(s) of your nose would you like changed? Do you want to alter your profile? Perhaps your main goal is to reshape the tip of your nose. Some choose to change the width of their nose or of their nostrils, while others choose to change everything. Giving your goals some meaningful thought will be instrumental in preparing you for your consultation.
Credentials Are Essential: Research Your Rhinoplasty Surgeon
After you’ve clearly outlined your aesthetic goals, it’s time to research the surgeon(s) you are considering. You don’t want to trust just anyone with your face–let alone any part of your body! Make sure the surgeon you choose has all the proper credentials needed to perform rhinoplasty surgery. Be sure your surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery, as many who claim to be cosmetic surgeons are not!
Check Clinic Site Reviews
Once you’ve landed on a well qualified, board certified plastic surgeon that you are considering seriously, always take the time to review their website, and check out their reviews to see what type of experience others have had–this can tell you a lot about whether or not you’re making a good choice. Also, be sure to review their before and after rhinoplasty photos to get some visuals of their work. Any plastic surgeon with experience and skill will have an abundance of information, photos, and videos on their site.
What Should I Expect from a Rhinoplasty Consultation?
Knowing what to expect during your rhinoplasty consultation will better prepare you to make the most of it!
During your consultation, you can expect an open and frank discussion of your goals, be they aesthetic, functional (as with breathing problems), or both. Don’t be shy, as now is the time to lay it all out and ask questions. Your surgeon will, in turn, ask you about your medical history, previous treatments or surgeries, drug allergies, and current medications or supplements. If you use alcohol, tobacco or drugs, it’s important to be honest about this as well.
Given the information you provide, your surgeon will assess your overall health, examine and photograph your face, present all options available to you along with their recommendation, determine risk factors, and discuss likely outcomes so there are no surprises.
5 Tips to Prepare for Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
Getting rhinoplasty done is a big decision. You want to make sure that you are fully prepared before going in, so we have outlined some tips that will help you achieve your desired results:
Tip #1: Do Your Research!
Picking the correct surgeon for you is absolutely crucial to achieving your ideal results. You need to make sure the surgeon is skilled, reputable and experienced, as your rhinoplasty results will be permanent. Find out more about them, how long they have been performing rhinoplasty procedures, their education, their certifications, etc. As well, read more reviews on the doctor and see other patients’ experiences with the doctor.
Tip #2: Be Realistic
During your consultation, start off by describing what you would like to do to your nose. Don’t ramble about all the things you hate about it, be realistic and list what you would like to achieve from the rhinoplasty.
For example:
- “I have a dorsal hump, therefore I would like to straighten it out as well as straighten the profile of my nose.”
- “I feel like the tip of my nose is bulbous and I would like to narrow it down.”
- “I also believe my nostrils are wide and would like it to be brought in slightly.”
Tip #3: Bring Before & After Pictures
Be prepared and bring some before and after pictures of individuals who have originally had a similar nose to yours and their results after surgery. It is important not to get carried away looking at celebrity noses as those results may not be achievable or may not match your face structure specifically. You can even upload your own image and create your personalized rhinoplasty results using our SpaMedica app.
Tip #4: Communicate with Your Doctor
Make sure that the doctor has a clear understanding of how you would like your results to turn out. The doctor may be very skilled themselves, but if they do not understand how you, specifically, want your nose to look, the results may not be satisfactory. Try to ask the surgeon, “Do you think my expectations are realistic and achievable?”
Tip #5: Prepare Questions
Be prepared, do your research, and understand the basics of rhinoplasty so that the doctor does not have to spend the entire consultation informing you on the basics of the procedure. Come in with questions that you can not find on the internet to make the best of your consultation.
Sample questions to ask your doctor:
- Are you board-certified?
- How many years have you practiced rhinoplasty?
- How many revisions do you do of your own work?
- Will an implant be necessary for my surgery? If so, which material will be used—silicone, Gore-Tex, or cartilage from my own body?
- Have you worked on many other patients’ noses similar to mine (ex. ethnic noses, African American noses, etc.) and do you feel comfortable working on these types of noses?
- Do you have any other before and after photos of noses similar to mine?
- What are the potential complications and risks in a rhinoplasty like mine?
- What is your revision policy? (if the results desired were not achieved)
- What type of anesthesia would be used?
- How much would the procedure cost?
- Do you offer to finance?
- How long will it take for me to be able to go out in public?
- Will I have scarring? How bad?
- How long will it take for me to book a surgery date?
