Making the decision to undergo rhinoplasty is no small thing. But, sometimes, no matter how realistic your expectations were or how skilled the doctor was, things can go wrong.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most challenging plastic surgeries since the nose is a delicate area. There are countless different nose sizes and shapes, which can make the surgery even more difficult, as a surgeon must be familiar with all the possible variations of the nasal area. This complexity makes revision surgery, also called secondary rhinoplasty, fairly common. About 10 percent of rhinoplasty patients end up wanting or needing a revision procedure.
If you are considering a secondary rhinoplasty, there are a number of things you should look for in a surgeon. Picking the right surgeon can reduce the chance that you’ll need an additional surgery.
Should You See the Same Doctor?
One question patients have when considering a revision rhinoplasty is, should they see the same surgeon? The answer depends on the reason for the revision and the initial surgeon’s skill. If you’re unhappy with the results of the first surgery because you worked with a surgeon who wasn’t experienced or who made a mistake during the procedure, it’s usually not in your best interest to see that surgeon again, even if he or she offers you a discount rate or offers to fix up the nose for free.
But, if you were happy with the results of your first surgery and are only seeking a secondary procedure to repair damage to the nose caused by injury, you might be fine seeing the same surgeon again. When deciding which surgeon to see, it’s important to look at his or her experience performing revision rhinoplasty, not only initial rhinoplasty.
Look at Experience
Experience performing revision rhinoplasty is a must for any doctor you’re considering. At the bare minimum, the surgeon should be board certified in facial plastic surgery or in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery (if not both).
When interviewing your surgeon, ask him how many revision procedures he’s performed. The surgeon should be able to tell you about past procedures and should be interested in discussing your specific needs and wants with you.
Another sign of an experienced revision rhinoplasty surgeon is the ability to examine your nose closely and determine the best way to fix the issue. An experienced and talented surgeon won’t use the same approach with each patient. Using the same technique for everyone won’t result in the best possible outcome, as everyone’s nose is different.
Gauge How You Feel at the Consult
An initial consultation is a must before a plastic surgery procedure. It’s especially important before a revision rhinoplasty, particularly if you weren’t satisfied with the work of the first surgeon. You want to make sure you and the revision surgeon are in agreement about the desired outcome. You also want to make sure that the surgeon will be able to devote the amount of time needed to your care and surgery and won’t rush through the procedure.
If you don’t feel comfortable with the surgeon’s ability or if you feel that it’s not a good fit, you’re free to do more research and find another doctor after that first consultation.
Do Research
Find out as much as you can about your surgeon before agreeing to work with him. You can ask the surgeon to provide you with references from past revision rhinoplasty patients. Another option is to look online to see if patients have reviewed the surgeon favorably. A combination of both surgeon-vetted past patients and online reviews should give you a clear enough picture of the surgeon’s ability.
Take a Look at Pictures
Also ask to see photographs of the surgeon’s past work with revision rhinoplasty. The pictures should give you a before-and-after image to see what was done. Some surgeons can also provide you with case studies of past patients, which gives you a detailed idea of the their ability.
If you aren’t happy with the results of your initial surgery, you might feel somewhat distrustful of the process or feel disinclined to go through it again. That’s why finding the right surgeon is so important.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, Dr. Michael Schwartz understands the needs of patients seeking revision rhinoplasty. He’ll dedicate the amount of time needed for your case and listen to your concerns. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Schwartz, call 561-228-5888 today.