The choice of a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance. That’s why it is best to obtain several consultations before choosing one doctor. Before meeting with any doctor, think carefully about your nose and its appearance. What is it about your nose that bothers you? Be specific. Is there anything that you like about your nose? What do you hope to achieve through surgery? During each consultation, discuss these issues in detail with the doctor, along with any concerns that you may have. You can even bring pictures of noses that you find appealing or ideal, though keep in mind that this is only for reference and not an exact representation of what may be achieved. Because each rhinoplasty procedure is a combination of both the patient’s wishes and the realities of what nasal surgery can actually offer, the surgeon should provide you with a realistic expectation of the results to be achieved through surgery.

The surgeon should examine the structure of your nose and face, and discuss the possibilities through surgery, along with his or her expectations and any risks that may be involved. He or she should also provide you with information concerning the surgical facility to be used, anesthesia, and the costs associated with the procedure. The surgeon should conduct a thorough medical history. Be sure to inform the surgeon of any previous nose surgery that you have had, any previous injuries that may have occurred to the nose or immediate area, any allergies or other breathing difficulties that you may experience, any medications, vitamins or recreational drugs that you are taking, and whether or not you smoke. The surgeon should also have before and after photographs of previous patients for you to review. If the natural rhinoplasty is your ultimate goal, ask yourself which looks more natural, the nose before the surgery or after?

You may also choose at this time to ask the surgeon if there is any additional surgery that might be recommended to help you achieve your desired look. For example, chin augmentation in conjunction with rhinoplasty may help to enhance the appearance of the face by creating a better balance between the features.

When you decide upon a doctor, that surgeon should provide you with specific pre-operative instructions on how to prepare for the surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking, smoking, the avoidance of certain vitamins and medications, and other important considerations. It is very important to follow carefully your surgeon’s instructions in order for both the surgery and recovery to go as smoothly as possible.

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