How to Choose a Surgeon

Choosing a plastic surgeon is one of the most important things a rhinoplasty, also known as nose surgery or "nose job," patient has to deal with. A good plastic surgeon can make the whole experience much easier to deal with.

Finding a Nose Surgeon

The first step in the process of getting a nose job is finding a plastic surgeon that specializes in cosmetic surgery. Your surgeon should have a lot of experience with nose jobs and should be certified.

Some great ways to find plastic surgeons include:

• recommendations from family
• recommendations from friends
• referral from your doctor or your local hospital
• surgeons recommended by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or other certified organizations
• surgeons recommended and certified by the state medical board.

Finding a surgeon online or through advertisements can work also, but patients must make sure to check certifications and experience.

Choosing a Surgeon

Before choosing a surgeon, it may be useful to meet with a few different surgeons. Being comfortable with your surgeon is important, and some surgeons can intimidate patients or make them feel as though their opinion is not important.

Make sure that you see before and after photos of previous nose job patients. Also, ask your doctor for contact information from previous patients. It can be useful to talk to people who have undergone the same procedure with your surgeon.

If your surgeon is reluctant to provide this information, it may be a warning sign that you should choose another surgeon. Plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons should be willing to share their past work with you.

Consulting with Surgeons

Before you have a consultation with a surgeon, write down a list of questions to ask, and bring your list with you to take notes on. This will ensure that you don’t forget to bring up any important points. Watch out for the following during your consultation:

• Your surgeon should ask for your opinion on any of his recommendations and should not try to pressure you into getting multiple procedures or anything you’re not comfortable with.
• Your surgeon should be able to discuss risks and possible side effects of the surgery.
• Your surgeon should be able to explain everything to you in language you understand, without glossing over anything or using medical jargon.
• Your surgeon should discuss procedures for after your nose job with you in depth.
• Your surgeon should discuss your reasoning for getting a nose job, as well as your expectations for the procedure.
• Your surgeon should not shy away from discussing his credentials, education, experience, policies with payment and costs, etc.

If you feel uncomfortable with a surgeon, then listen to your instincts and choose someone else. Having nose surgery is a big decision. You should be comfortable with every aspect of your surgery, especially your surgeon.

Other Tips to Consider

Make sure your surgeon has access to appropriate medical facilities and ask ahead of time where your nose job will be performed.

Don’t count on your insurance to cover your nose surgery. Insurance plans generally do not cover cosmetic surgery procedures.

Resources

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Five Essential Steps Before Plastic Surgery. Retrieved October 24, 2007, from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Web site: www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/planning_surgery/Five-Essential-Steps-Before-Plastic-Surgery.cfm.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon. Retrieved October 24, 2007, from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Web site: www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/find_member_surgeon/How-to-Choose-a-Plastic-Surgeon.cfm.

Stone, A. How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon. Retrieved October 24, 2007, from the Dr. Aaron Stone Web site: www.aaronstonemd.com/HowtoChoosePlSurgeon2.shtm.