If you are reading this article, you have definitely made up your mind to get a rhinoplasty procedure done. This involves reshaping and restructuring your nose. You might have some breathing issues, or you might just be very unhappy with the shape and the symmetry of your nose. This is not a small procedure which is why you should always have information from your surgeon beforehand. You might be overwhelmed thinking about what to ask and what are the right questions. Do not worry, we’ve talked to a ton of experts and leading surgeons to find out what questions you should ask your doctor before your procedure.
Questions to ask your doctor before your rhinoplasty procedure
Are you board certified?
The biggest question that you need to ask even before booking an appointment is whether your surgeon is board certified. There are a lot of doctors who do cosmetic procedures without being board certified. Your surgeon should have certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Or even the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. This is an important question to ask since they are held up by the ethics of the board.
How many rhinoplasties do you perform every week?
It is not only important that your doctor’s a board-certified surgeon, but it’s also quite imperative that they know what they are doing. According to patients who have had rhinoplasty with Dr. Jonathan Frankel, MD, they were quite scared for the procedure until they found out that he performs these on a regular basis. Knowing your surgeon knows this procedure like the back of their hand will be confirmation that they’re the right person. Make sure that your surgeon has at least 5 years of experience under their belt.
Can I see before and after pictures for my issue?
Every surgeon will show you the best before and after picture that they have on hand for the procedures that they have done. What you need to do is ask for specific ones that are similar to your concern. See how well they can address your personal issues. Try to see at least 10 relatable before and after pictures of the procedure with noses that look similar to yours. Make sure that not all of these look the same since older techniques gave out a prototype nose and were not as specific.
What is the best approach for me and why?
There are two major methods of rhinoplasty, open and closed. No method is superior to the other, it actually depends on the issue at hand. Ask your surgeon which procedure is best for you, and why. Make sure that your surgeon is proficient in both and is not only using one type of surgery because they are better at it, but because it will help your cause. Also, check if the complexity of your case matches with these approaches.
It is important to ask a ton of questions before getting such a major surgery. You need to be sure that you have chosen the right surgeon and the right procedure.
