Rhinoplasty - Getting the Most Out of Your Procedure

Rhinoplasty is one of the most commonly sought plastic surgeries available. It’s not difficult to surmise why. Unlike other body parts that you might have trouble with, the nose cannot be changed through diet or exercise, and it cannot be concealed by flattering clothing. The nose is at the center of your face, and can have a huge impact on your self-image and self-confidence. 

Before going through with any cosmetic procedure, you’re going to want to make sure you know that you are doing it for the right reasons. This is especially true when it comes to making any sort of change to your face, which is tied so intimately with your identity. If you feel like you need to get rhinoplasty to fit in or to please someone else, you should reconsider. If you feel that having the procedure will help you feel more self-confident and more yourself, then you might be a good candidate.

Once you’ve made the decision, the first step will be finding a good board certified plastic surgeon. You can ask people you know who’ve had work done if they liked their doctor, or you can research area doctors online and find out what their patients have to say about them. If you have a medical reason for having rhinoplasty, you should call your insurance before making a consultation appointment to see if they will cover the visit.

At the consultation, be sure to ask lots of questions. You want to make sure that you are comfortable with your surgeon and that you have a really good idea of what lays ahead of you. Ask to see before and after pictures of former patients. Many doctors can even put you in touch with former patients who don’t mind being referenced. This can be a great way to see how the surgeon’s work holds up over time.

Be realistic about what you hope to get out of the surgery and explore all of your options. Depending on your individual needs, your doctor will recommend either a closed (no incision , or an open (with incision) surgery. It is important that you understand what happens in each before you make a decision on what to have done for your own surgery. You might prefer to have a closed procedure, but that could limit what your doctor can do. 

In some cases, you may be able to get the results you are seeking from a non-surgical rhinoplasty. This entails the wearing of nasal inserts or the injection of padding at strategic points on the nose to even out its appearance. These procedures are cheaper and require less recovery, but they are not permanent and will have to be repeated after a year or so. You should do a little research on all of the options before you go to see your doctor so that you can ask informed questions. Ultimately, the more questions you ask and the more you are able to understand about rhinoplasty, the more likely you will be to make the best decisions with your doctor.