Helpful Rhinoplasty Consultation Checklist

When you decide to proceed with a Rhinoplasty (or nose job) after a great deal of thought and consideration, the next step is to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon. This next phase of your quest for the perfect nose is one of the most important. Follow this Rhinoplasty Consultation Checklist to help you identify the best facial plastic surgeon and gain confidence in a having a successful surgery.

SELECTING A SURGEON TO CONSULT

It is critical that you select a facial plastic surgeon, like Dr. Russell Kridel, who specializes in surgery from the neck up. Look for surgeons who are board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). To become board certified by the ABFPRS, the surgeon must have completed years of additional training strictly in the head and neck area, including a prestigious Fellowship and completed over 100 peer-reviewed surgical cases and they are double-board certified. You can go to the ABFPRS website to find a list of surgeons in your community. Next, seek out facial plastic surgeons who have published scientific medical journal articles and given lectures at medical conferences specifically on Rhinoplasty surgical techniques. These surgeons are recognized by their peers in the medical community as experts in Rhinoplasty. You can identify these surgeons by looking at their resumes on their websites. You also want to select a specialist, like Dr. Russell Kridel, who does at least 100 noses every year. Because no two noses are alike it takes a skilled and experienced surgeon to be able to tailor a surgical approach specifically for you. Ask this question before you book a consultation. Sadly, there are many physicians who perform cosmetic surgery procedures, but do not have advanced specialty training. So, it is important that you do your homework on selecting a specialist to consult. Depending on the size of the community that you live in, you should consult with 2 or 3 facial plastic surgeons. Bottom line: only trust your nose and your face to a facial plastic surgery specialist.

PREPARING FOR THE CONSULTATION

Before your consultation, list out your medical history. Start by including your current and past medical conditions, any known drug allergies, and any previous medical treatments. Any of these could increase your risk factors during Rhinoplasty or cause delayed healing. Also, make a list of your current medications, vitamins and herbal supplements, and your usage of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Previous surgeries will also be a key discussion point during your consultation, so include even minor operations on other parts of the body. In addition, make a list of what bothers you about your nose and what you want from your Rhinoplasty surgery. At FPSA, we provide you with special patient forms that help you walk through all of this important information to share with your surgeon. You will either send back the forms in advance of your consultation or bring with you to your consultation with Dr. Kridel.

THE CONSULTATION

When you visit more than one surgeon for a consultation you will find similarities and differences between each practice. As a result, you will also be able to identify the surgeon that you feel most comfortable with to perform your surgery. At FPSA, we believe you will experience the most thorough Rhinoplasty consultation of any other cosmetic surgeon in Houston. We take great pride in providing patients with the information and time they need for such an important decision. When you come in for a consultation, you will be with us for 2 to 2.5 hours. During that time, Dr. Kridel will do a thorough examination of your nose and you will also have a special Rhinometry test to evaluate your airflow function for breathing. If your breathing is compromised, Dr. Kridel will help make sure that your nose looks fantastic and that you can breathe well. During your consultation we will also take photos and then through digital computer imaging and review with Dr. Kridel determine what you can expect from your Rhinoplasty surgery. You will also view an informative video about the surgery and be able to look at a very extensive library of before and after photos of other Rhinoplasty patients of Dr. Kridel’s that are not available online. While the focus of the consultation is on you and your nose, Dr. Kridel wants your input about what bothers you about your current nose and about the nose you’d like to have when your rhinoplasty is finished. Feel free to ask Dr. Kridel, the clinicial staff or office staff any question. As they say, there is no such thing as a wrong or dumb question. The only way to guarantee successful results in line with your own desires is to share your thoughts and concerns with Dr. Kridel and our staff. From these discussion and expectations, Dr. Kridel will design the best surgical plan for your nose to create the most pleasing, proportional, and appropriate shape specific to you. After the consultation, you will meet with the patient coordinator to review costs and set a surgical date together that allows enough recovery time for you.

--- Kirin, Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, Houston