What Questions To Ask When Booking Your Rhinoplasty Appointment

The amount of misinformation available on the internet about rhinoplasty is disturbing. So, the only way to obtain genuine information is through a licenced surgeon. 

Prospective patients need to be just as informed as surgeons before undergoing rhinoplasty procedures. So, here are a few questions you can ask your surgeon before booking an appointment!  

Are your clinic and surgeons licenced?

A licenced surgeon is a key to any safe and successful rhinoplasty because it means they have gone through extensive training and have been assessed by board certifications. 

But having a certified surgeon isn’t going to cut it if the clinic isn’t authorised to exist in the first place. An illegal clinic can bring in many potential risks associated with your procedure because there isn’t a way to evaluate its legitimacy.

For instance, all the surgeons at top rhinoplasty centres in London, like Centre for Surgery, should have been awarded the RealSelf Top Doctor status – which is issued only to about 10% of the RealSelf doctors’ community, making them among the best surgeons in the UK. 

You should also be on the lookout for a clinic that has been inspected and rated by the Care Quality Commission so you know you are in the safest hands possible.  

Do you have rhinoplasty specialists?

Rhinoplasty specialists are different from general surgeons because they specifically work in the facial and nose regions. They are generally more experienced with nose jobs and can perform a better job of preserving cartilage and supporting your natural nasal bones. 

Surgeons who specialise in rhinoplasty are also well-versed with reconstructive surgery, which means they can offer you better expertise in all matters of rhinoplasty. 

What is your practice’s ideology?

This includes their patient acceptance rate, as well. The truth is, some plastic surgeons are more concerned with the steady stream of business through the door than the long-term effects of rhinoplasty procedures.

Of course, this is definitely not true of all plastic surgeons. However, it’s critical that you find a highly qualified centre that cares deeply about each patient.  

But this is precisely why booking your rhinoplasty appointment at a clinic with a high acceptance rate can be risky for you. The more patients a clinic sees, the less time and attention it offers to each patient, so there is no guarantee how your procedure will turn out. 

On the other hand, rhinoplasty centres that work on a patient-first principle are better. It means a lower patient acceptance rate, but more care and attention give to the treatment and after-care of each patient. 

Am I being realistic with my expectations?

Your expectations are an essential part of your recovery. So, they should be realistic and align with reality. And that’s exactly what your surgeon should tell you. If they don’t, they are not honest with you, leading to complications during the surgery and post the operation. 

How many procedures have you performed in the past? Can I see the results of the previous procedures?

Asking this will help you evaluate the expertise of your potential surgeon and give you a clearer idea of what your procedure will look like. 

And even if you aren’t keen on judging the surgeon’s background, seeing previous results lets you get familiar with their track record and understand their surgery style.   

What kind of support do you offer pre and post my operation?

It is essential to understand the level of support you will receive before scheduling a rhinoplasty procedure. If you have got a question about costs, your pre-op plan, or any other aspect of your surgery, it may be best to speak with someone in the clinic (if not the surgeon) ahead of time.

For example, high-quality rhinoplasty centres in London can offer 24/7 clinical support to all patients pre and post-operation. Your surgeon is available to you round the clock for the first 48 hours after the operation is completed. You should look for centres that transcend the standards recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and whose post-operative care has been recognised as ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC. Like Centre for Surgery, for example. 

How should I prepare for my procedure?

Preparation is vital for a successful rhinoplasty, so you need to have a plan in place. You will need recovery time and ample rest after the procedure, so it is best to schedule your appointment only when you are ready to have a procedure done, especially if it is for aesthetic reasons.

That doesn’t mean you should wait until you are ready if you suffer from a medical issue. Since every case is unique, you should discuss yours with your surgeon well before booking an appointment.

What is the estimated recovery period that I should expect?

Recovery time depends on the severity of your surgery and how well you heal. Your surgeon is the only one who can tell you how long they expect it to take for you to get back to normal. So, it is wise to discuss your recovery plan with them to be prepared.

Finally, where would you operate and (more importantly) who performs the procedure?

There is a trend in cosmetic surgery wherein the procedures are performed in third-party facilities. This is neither safe nor recommended as the surgeons can’t ensure if the standards are being met or if the quality of the equipment being used is good enough. 

Besides, surgeons might sometimes send an assistant to do some work to make more profit from your fee and convince you that it is the right thing to do. This is highly unethical as you will be paying for the surgeon’s expertise and expertise alone, not someone else’s skills.

You should look for a centre that operates its own facilities, which allows a high standard for all procedures and more workflow transparency to patients. 

Still have more questions? Why not consult a board-certified doctor for a possible rhinoplasty procedure? Finding a highly qualified centre in London will improve your knowledge, ensure you’re entrusting a reliable and expert surgeon and increase the success of the procedure.