The Rhinoplasty Consultation Process

It's important to schedule a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon.

If you’ve been researching rhinoplasty miami surgery for some time now, then you might think you’re finally ready to make the leap and schedule the surgery. But you may still have several questions about the procedure and whether or not it’s right for you. 

While the internet can be a useful tool for initial research, it’s important to schedule a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon as you start to consider rhinoplasty more seriously. A rhinoplasty consultation can help you determine if the surgery is right for you and provide insight on what to expect during the procedure and recovery.

What to Expect During a Rhinoplasty Consultation

One way to think of a rhinoplasty consultation is as a “meet and greet” between you and a facial plastic surgeon. It’s an opportunity for you to ask the surgeon questions and for them to review your medical history and examine your nose and face. You might want to schedule several consultations with different surgeons to get an idea of what’s out there and to improve your odds of working with a surgeon you get along with. 

During your consultation, you can expect the surgeon to ask you lots of questions. They will most likely ask you about your goals and reasons for wanting surgery as well as what your expectations are for rhinoplasty. 

The surgeon will also ask you about your medical history, including any past surgeries and any medical conditions you have, particularly chronic conditions. They’ll also conduct a physical exam during the consultation and will likely take photos of your nose.

Finally, the surgeon should explain different rhinoplasty techniques to you and describe which one they think is the most appropriate. They’ll also give you a list of instructions and let you know what you can do to prepare for the surgery and recovery period. 

You can also use the consultation as an opportunity to learn more about the cost of rhinoplasty and your financing options. 

Questions to Ask During Your Nose Job Consultation

Your rhinoplasty consultation is the perfect time to play “20 questions” (or even more) with your surgeon. Write your questions down before the appointment so you don’t forget to ask them! Some of the questions you should ask during the consultation include:

  • Are you board-certified? 
  • How long have you been in practice and how many rhinoplasties have you performed?
  • How many (or what percentage) of your patients are happy with their surgical results?
  • What are my anesthesia options during the surgery? 
  • What can I realistically expect from rhinoplasty?
  • What do I need to do before the surgery, to prepare?
  • What do I need to do after surgery?
  • How long will it take before my results are visible?
  • What are the risks of rhinoplasty and how likely are they to occur?
  • What do you do to minimize risks or complications?
  • What happens if I don’t like my rhinoplasty results?
  • How do you decide what techniques to use for each patient?
  • What are my options for paying for the surgery?

Taking Photos During the Nose Surgery Consultation

Many patients think that their nose is too large for their face or is otherwise “wrong,” thanks to selfie photos taken with a front-facing camera. Although you’re welcome to bring photos to your consultation with Dr. Bared, keep in mind that any selfies you take aren’t going to provide an accurate picture of your nose.

Proper photography and lighting are essential in the appropriate evaluation of a prospective rhinoplasty patient. Macro lenses, which limit the diffraction of light, produce the most clarity and should be used to take photos of your nose during a rhinoplasty consultation.

The surgeon should take a photo of your nose from several angles, including a front view, profile view, base view, and three-quarter view. When taking a front-view photo, your head should be parallel to the ground. The photo should be taken at eye level and only the top of the head to the neck should be visible in the image.

Three-quarter and profile views can show the surgeon any asymmetries in the nose. The head needs to be level and parallel to the ground in these pictures to minimize distortions. The base view photo provides the surgeon with a view of the nasal tip and the nostrils, allowing them to detect any asymmetries or deviations.

The right lighting is also essential. Ideal lighting minimizes shadows on the side of the nose, which can distort its appearance. To get a photo with the best light, the surgeon will most likely use a double light source, with each light placed at 45-degree angles to your face.

During rhinoplasty consultations, Dr. Anthony Bared conducts all his own photography to ensure that it is properly performed. He analyzes the photos to supplement his physical examination of the nose and develop a surgical plan.

Computer Imaging for Rhinoplasty

A surgeon might use computer imaging during your consultation to give you a general idea of what you can expect your surgical results to look like. Dr. Bared uses computer imaging with his patients because he finds it helpful to show patients what their noses could look like, rather than simply showing them before and after photos of other patients. With a computer image, you get a 3-D snapshot of your nose.

You can also use computer imaging to better describe what you want your nose to look like. The surgeon can show you different options with the computer program to see if they align with what you want.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that what your nose looks like on a computer imaging program isn’t necessarily a guarantee of your eventual results. Instead, you can think of it as an estimate of how your nose is likely to look after rhinoplasty. 

Another thing to remember is that computer imaging can also show you that rhinoplasty isn’t right for you. You might discover that none of the noses the surgeon creates using the imaging program are what you want.

Rhinoplasty Techniques and Surgical Plan

A facial plastic surgeon may use several surgical techniques during rhinoplasty. The methods they decide to use will depend on your goals and your nasal anatomy. 

A review and discussion of different surgical techniques should be part of the consultation process. After discussing your goals, examining your nose, and using computer imaging, the plastic surgeon will let you know which technique they think is most appropriate for you.

The surgeon will also review a rough surgical plan with you, giving you a basic idea of what to expect on the day of your rhinoplasty. They’ll let you know how long you can expect the procedure to take and the type of anesthesia they would use. 

Schedule Your Rhinoplasty Consultation in Miami, Florida

If you are looking for the best rhinoplasty surgeon in Florida, Dr. Anthony Bared is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. He offers patients both in-person (in Miami, FL) and virtual rhinoplasty consultations. To schedule your consultation, call 305-666-1774.