How to Select the Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon

Like snowflakes, no two noses are the same. Our noses are unique both in external appearance, as well as internal structure and anatomy. So, it is extremely important when you are selecting a surgeon to perform cosmetic surgery on your nose that the doctor has expertise and experience specific to nasal surgery. You want a surgeon that has seen it all and can handle any set of anatomical challenges with ease at the time of your surgery.

Choosing the right surgeon can be difficult and overwhelming, yet it is the most important decision. Unfortunately, most patients have no idea how to evaluate cosmetic surgeons to determine if they are the right match. Trust me, just going to Real Self or to a ratings site is not enough. They only share basic information and don’t provide the more important in-depth information about a physician.

If you seek out a Rhinoplasty specialist who can answer “Yes” to the following questions, you can feel comfortable in your decision to make an appointment and to have surgery.

Are you board certified in Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery?

Training to obtain this level of certification is centered on the anatomy from the neck and up. This depth of knowledge of the functionality of the nose means that the surgeon with this board certification will make sure your nose functions properly as well as look good when you have a Rhinoplasty.

Have you completed a Fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery?

There are only about 42 Fellowships available across the United States. Dr. Kridel has one of the fellowships, one of only 3 in the state of Texas. Hundreds of physicians who have completed their medical degrees vie for only 42 slots. These Fellows train with the most highly regarded facial plastic surgeons, such as Dr. Kridel. Following completion of a fellowship, these physicians then complete the process of becoming board certified specifically in Facial Plastic Surgery.

Are you board certified in Facial Plastic Surgery?

These surgeons have already achieved board certification in Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, but have elected to obtain even further training focused solely on aesthetic procedures from the neck and up. General plastic surgeons have a different path for training which covers more areas of the body. 

Of the surgeries you have done in the past year, are Rhinoplasty or Revision Rhinoplasty at least 60% of the cases?

Again, you want a surgeon who does a lot of nasal surgery every year. Rhinoplasty and Revision Rhinoplasty are the most complicated aesthetic surgeries of the face.

Is the revision rate on your own nose surgeries less than 5%?

You also want a surgeon that has a track record of happy patients with successful outcomes. It is about the quality of the surgery, not just the quantity or number completed.

Is your complication rate on your own nose surgeries less than 1%?

The most talented and experienced surgeons have very low complication rates. They get it right the first time. There is always a risk with any kind of surgery, and no surgeon is perfect, but you want a surgeon that is very skilled.

Have you published more than 10 peer reviewed scientific journal articles or textbook chapters specific to nasal surgery?

Scientific medical journals accept articles after a thorough peer review process has been completed. The techniques shared in the journals and textbooks must be of the highest caliber so that surgeons can share their successful techniques with others to make sure patients can obtain the highest quality of care. Surgeons who are dedicated to becoming the best in their specialty and who strive to educate others are always at the top of their game. Dr. Kridel is passionate about nasal surgery, he has published over 80 scientific journal articles and textbook chapters on nasal surgery techniques relating to Rhinoplasty, Revision Rhinoplasty and Septal Perforation Repair.

Have you been on the invited faculty of a major course in your specialty on nasal surgery within the last 3 years?

Medical specialty societies invite the most respected surgeons in their specialty to share their expertise to other surgeons. It is an honor to be selected to speak. Dr. Kridel is recognized as one of the best rhinoplasty (nose) surgeons in the world and he is invited to guest lecture by multiple facial plastic and general plastic surgical societies every year.

Have you done numerous similar surgical procedures on a doctor or a member of a doctor’s family?

Because of their training, doctors want their family members to be taken care of by other doctors they trust and know have the level of skill and experience needed for the most successful result. Dr. Kridel is often referred to as “the Doctor’s Doctor” because physicians refer themselves, their family members and their own patients to him for his expertise in all types of nasal surgery.

Do you have before and after pictures of patients you’ve operated on?

During your consultation, it is important to ask to see before and after pictures of patients who had Rhinoplasty surgery performed by the doctor. You want to be sure that the surgeon has successful results that look natural. 

What special honors have you achieved?

There are many types of awards that a physician can receive. The most prestigious awards are for surgical excellence which are presented to a surgeon by his specialty society or another medical society. They are difficult to achieve and demonstrate the stature the physician has within the medical community. For example, Dr. Kridel has received the highest awards for surgical excellence from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFRPS), including the coveted Mark F. Rafarty Award. He has also received numerous awards by other medical organizations for his contributions to surgical techniques, patient care and charity work.

You can also check the overall background of a physician online to find out if they have ever had their license to practice medicine suspended, revoked, voluntarily relinquished or subjected to probation.

As you can see, if you ask the right questions, you will be able to make an informed decision on selection of the best Rhinoplasty surgeons for a consultation and ultimately, surgery. When you visit the surgeon for the consultation, you also need to feel that both you and the doctor have similar goals for your aesthetic surgery and your post-operative care. 

Aesthetic surgeons who can answer “Yes” to these questions are highly regarded by other doctors in their own specialty as well as other specialties. They are the best of the best and their prices will likely reflect this. Their prices will be on the higher end of the spectrum, but they are worth the additional cost because of their depth of experience, skill and expertise. 

Dr. Russell Kridel can answer “Yes” to each of these questions. He is considered by peers and patients as “the” premiere Rhinoplasty surgeon in Houston and is considered the top specialist in his field across the country. Needless to say, he epitomizes the best Rhinoplasty surgeon and you will be in the best of hands.