What Qualities Should I Look for in a Rhinoplasty Surgeon?

Dr. Eric Joseph explores key factors to consider when choosing a rhinoplasty surgeon. From qualifications
and experience to patient testimonials, discover the essential qualities that ensure a successful and satisfying
rhinoplasty experience.

Hi, this is Doctor Eric Joseph, a rhinoplasty specialist in Livingston, New Jersey. Today's question is: what are the qualities of an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon? Or, to put it another way, how do you know if your prospective rhinoplasty surgeon is qualified to meet or exceed your goals? I've identified six points that I hope you all take away from this and find helpful on your journey.

Quality Before & After Photos

I think the most important aspect is the quality of before and after photos on someone's website gallery. After 25 years of performing rhinoplasty surgeries, we have several hundred before and after photos. They not only include a description but also every angle: frontal view, oblique view, profile view, and base of the nose view.

This is crucial because if you're browsing through someone's gallery and find a nose similar to yours with a favorable result after surgery, that's a good sign. So when looking at another surgeon's before and after gallery, ask: are they posting all of the views? Are they blurring the patients' eyes? Blurring suggests they don't have permission to use the photography. We obtain consent from all of our patients before posting their photos online. If you like someone's before and after photos online, it's a really good sign that you're consulting with a qualified rhinoplasty surgeon.

Dedication to Rhinoplasty Surgery

The second important question is: how much of the surgeon's practice is dedicated to rhinoplasty surgery? If someone mainly focuses on other procedures like liposuction, breast augmentation, breast reduction, or facelift surgery, they might not dedicate enough time to rhinoplasty, which is considered one of the most complex plastic surgeries. So, someone with a large, robust gallery and a practice dedicated to rhinoplasty surgery is very important.

Rhinoplasty Surgery Volume

The third question to ask is: how many rhinoplasties does your surgeon perform each year? How many years have they been in practice? After 25 years, we perform at least 100 rhinoplasties annually, meaning I'm in the operating room every week performing rhinoplasty surgeries. Repetition is crucial for mastery, and I believe that my experience keeps improving with each surgery.

Online Patient Reviews

The fourth crucial aspect to consider before consulting with a surgeon is online patient reviews. What are other patients saying about your prospective surgeon? There are multiple online physician rating sites like Google, Yelp, Healthgrades, RateMDs.com, RealSelf.com, and Vitals.com. It's beneficial to explore all of these before scheduling a consultation because the experiences of others, along with before and after photos and practice dedication, are essential factors to consider.

Certification & Training

The fifth factor is the type of training your prospective surgeon has. I'm double board-certified in otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery. As an otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon, I believe this combination provides the best expertise in addressing both functional and cosmetic issues of the nose. We regularly handle deviated nasal septa, turbinate enlargement, and narrowing of internal and external nasal valves. It's important to choose a specialist who understands the nasal airway along with cosmetic concerns, as post-surgery, you'll want both a good-looking nose and the ability to breathe properly.

Consultations & Computer Imaging

Once you've found a few doctors meeting these criteria, I recommend scheduling several consultations (between one and three is reasonable). During these in-person consultations, observe whether the doctor examines and looks inside your nose. Some doctors overlook this crucial step, but the nose should be treated as both an aesthetic and functional entity.

Also, has your surgeon done computer imaging with you that you feel is adequate to meet your needs? And does your surgeon convey confidence in their ability to meet or exceed your expectations? These are vital questions to ask during your consultations.

Conclusion

In summary, these six points—before and after photos, practice dedication, surgical experience, patient reviews, training, and gut feeling—are crucial considerations when choosing a rhinoplasty specialist. Trust your instincts; if something feels off after meeting with a doctor, it may indicate they're not the right fit for you.

We're passionate about rhinoplasty surgery and would be delighted to help you determine if it's right for you. Please feel free to visit our website, ericmjoseph.com, where you can schedule a free digital consultation by uploading your photos along with a description of your concerns. I hope you found this information helpful on your journey, and thank you for watching.