Questions to Ask During a Rhinoplasty Consultation
Considering how prominent they are, it makes sense that dissatisfaction with the appearance of the nose can significantly impact a person’s self-confidence. Rhinoplasty surgery, sometimes referred to as a nose job, can be a useful tool for patients who wish to achieve a more balanced and proportional facial appearance by altering the size and/or shape of their nose. However, in order to get the most out of your rhinoplasty experience, the first step is consulting with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.
Building clear expectations is critical, which is why I always make sure my patients feel that they fully understand their procedure and the aesthetic results that they can expect. But after many years of performing this procedure, I have seen firsthand that many patients feel that they might not be properly prepared at the start of their consultation. This is why I like to provide consultation primers to patients. The following questions can serve as an excellent starting point for any patient preparing for an upcoming rhinoplasty consultation:
- Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- How many years of experience do you have performing rhinoplasty surgery?
- How long will my rhinoplasty results last?
- Have you developed any special or unique techniques for performing rhinoplasty surgery?
- Will my procedure be performed in your office, a surgery center, or a hospital?
- Will my procedure be performed under general anesthesia or a local anesthetic?
- How can I minimize visible scarring following my rhinoplasty?
- Am I a good candidate to combine my rhinoplasty with chin surgery or eyelid surgery?
- Can I see before and after rhinoplasty pictures from patients you have previously performed this procedure on?
- What are the potential risks or complications associated with rhinoplasty?
- How much downtime for recovery should I expect following my rhinoplasty surgery?
Although there is obviously still more to cover and each patient will have their own unique questions and concerns, my hope is that patients in the early stages of preparation for rhinoplasty surgery find this information helpful. If you would like to learn more about rhinoplasty surgery or you’d like to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.