How To Prepare for a Rhinoplasty Consultation

A young woman sitting on a park bench, scrolling her phone and drinking coffee (model)

You may have considered getting a rhinoplasty for years before deciding to start looking for a plastic surgeon. Now that you’ve made the exciting decision to get a nose job, scheduling a consultation is the first step. Success in the OR begins when you meet with the surgeon who will perform the surgery, so it’s important to prepare thoroughly for your consultation. But how do you prepare for a rhinoplasty consultation?

Great question. In this blog post, we’ll describe what you should know before meeting with the surgeon, how to find the best rhinoplasty surgeon in Denver, and what questions you should ask to ensure you’ll be confident as you’re wheeled into the operating room.

Spend Time Researching

You have a wealth of information at your fingertips. Researching plastic surgeons before scheduling a consultation is critical, especially if you don’t know anyone who can recommend a surgeon. A rhinoplasty is considered one of the most complicated cosmetic procedures, and you should focus your search on surgeons who specialize in facial plastic surgery. A double board-certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Ladner has years of training and rhinoplasty experience that plastic surgeons who perform breast and body procedures don’t have.

The delicate structure of the nose requires a surgeon with a comprehensive understanding of facial anatomy. Dr. Ladner completed advanced fellowship training under one of the world’s leading facial plastic surgeons and has taught facial plastic surgery residents.

Reviews on reputable, independent websites are an excellent resource when searching for a rhinoplasty specialist. Reading what previous patients say about their experiences with the practice and how they feel about their results can help narrow your search.

Think About Your Specific Cosmetic Goals

You’re meeting with a plastic surgeon to discuss a rhinoplasty because you don’t like the appearance of your nose. That’s obvious. But saying, “I don’t like how my nose looks” doesn’t provide the surgeon with much information. Be prepared to describe your specific concerns and the results you’d like to see. For example, you could say that you feel that the tip of your nose is bulbous, and you’d like it to be narrower. Or explain that you’d like the surgeon to remove the hump from the bridge of the nose.

Bring “Wish” Photos

Before and after photos showing people with similar concerns about their noses can help the surgeon understand your goals. You can find multiple such photos in our gallery featuring Dr. Ladner’s rhinoplasty patients. Some patients bring photos of celebrities whose noses they admire. That’s fine, but it’s important to be realistic about what cosmetic nose surgery can accomplish. If your facial structure differs from the celebrity’s, getting the same nose appearance may not be possible. Having an honest conversation with your surgeon about your goals is essential. Asking if your expectations are realistic or achievable is a good idea.

Rhinoplasty (nose job) before and after: case #92
This patient was bothered by her hump and profile view of her nose. Dr. Ladner performed his signature closed rhinoplasty. Photos reflect before and 6 weeks after.

Prepare a Written List of Questions

Trying to remember all the questions you want to ask during the consultation is difficult. Doing some basic research about rhinoplasty before the consultation can help you narrow the list of questions. You don’t have to be an expert, but you won’t have to spend a lot of time during the consultation asking about the basics of the surgery.

You should also check a surgeon’s credentials before the consultation, such as whether they are board certified and which board certified them. Some questions you should ask during the consultation include:

  • How many rhinoplasty surgeries do you perform each month?
  • Have you worked on patients with noses similar to mine (for example, ethnic noses, African American noses, etc.)?
  • What potential complications and risks are associated with a rhinoplasty?
  • Will I need general anesthesia?
  • What is your policy regarding revisions if I’m not satisfied with the results?
  • How long will I have to wait before going to a social event?
  • How long after the consultation should I expect to book my surgery?

You’ll also want to ask about how much a rhinoplasty costs and if the practice offers financing, but those questions are usually answered by support staff such as the practice manager. You can also learn more about the recovery timeline following a rhinoplasty in a previous blog post.

Know Your Medical History

Be prepared to answer questions about your medical history and other information about your health. Providing accurate information to these questions is vital for your safety and helps the surgeon prepare a customized surgical plan.

Information you should know includes:

  • Any current and past medical conditions
  • All known drug allergies
  • Previous medical treatments or surgeries
  • Any recent dental work
  • Your current medications
  • Any vitamins and herbal supplements you take
  • How often you use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
  • If you’ve ever had an adverse reaction to anesthesia
  • If you’ve injured your nose at some point

As with your questions, writing down your medical history is advisable. Also, if you smoke, be prepared to quit a few weeks before and after the surgery. Nicotine use increases the risk of complications during surgery and makes it more difficult to heal.

You’ve spent a lot of time thinking about getting rhinoplasty, and it’s important to choose a facial plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty. You can request a consultation with Dr. Ladner using the online form or call Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery at (303) 253-7686 to schedule an appointment.

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