By Jerome Edelstein, MD
If you are considering Rhinoplasty surgery, you should have ample opportunity to speak with your surgeon BEFORE the surgery. You should take advantage of this and ask as many questions as you need to to ensure that you understand the entire process.
You never want to just jump into a procedure without knowing everything there is to know about it. You want to plan accordingly and learn as much as possible to help you make the right decision for yourself.
If you are stuck on what to ask your surgeon, we will go over some questions that you can write down and take along with you.
Are you certified and experienced?
Don’t be afraid to ask your surgeon if he or she is experienced and is certified. They won’t take it personally and it is actually a question that you need to be asking anyway. Think about it for a moment – would you be comfortable with a new surgeon performing a complicated surgery on you? Or would you take someone’s word for it that they know how to do a surgery and do not need their certification? In Canada certified Plastic Surgeons are called Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. Membership in the Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is further reassurance that your surgeon is qualified as a cosmetic Plastic Surgeon.
How many Rhinoplasty procedures have you performed?
This question gives you a sense of the Plastic Surgeons experience. You want to choose a surgeon who has performed many rhinoplasty surgeries, but you also want them to have performed them well. If they have experience with complicated reconstructive procedures, they are likely very experienced.
Once again, the proof is in the pudding: ask to see some before and after results of the surgeon’s own patients.
What surgery will suit me best?
Your surgeon is experienced in rhinoplasty procedures and should be able to tell you which procedure would be best for you and why. When you go in for a consultation, your surgeon will ask you questions about the type of nose you desire and make suggestions to you. It is important that the two of you agree.
What are the risks of Rhinoplasty surgery?
There are risks with rhinoplasty just as there are with any other procedure, and you want to be informed about them. The best person to do that is your surgeon. In addition to the risks, you should also ask your surgeon what you can expect throughout the recovery period. You may experience some swelling and pain, which are normal, but what is considered abnormal and when should you make a follow up appointment?
How long will surgery take?
Knowing how long the rhinoplasty procedure will take will help you prepare for the big day. There is no set timeline for a procedure, but your surgeon can give you an idea of how long you can expect it to take depending on the procedure you want done.
If you are considering rhinoplasty, talk to the specialists at Edelstein Cosmetic. We have years of experience in all types of rhinoplasty surgeries and would like to help you.