Cosmetic surgery, as I’ve blogged previously, is absolutely not trivial surgery.  All the ethical guidelines and rules for good surgical practice that apply to non-cosmetic surgery should apply to cosmetic surgery.  You should be made fully aware before you consider surgery what the surgeon considers the reasons for your surgery to be, so that you understand in advance exactly what you’re hoping to achieve with your surgeon and you should fully understand the risks, limitations and unpredictability of the procedure.  You need to be sure your surgeon has the experience and expertise required and that your care will continue after surgery.  With regard to Rhinoplasty this procedure is performed by plastic surgeons, ENT Surgeons and Maxillo Facial surgeons.  You should not be seduced by before and after photographs on the internet as these may not be representative of what’s possible for your nose even if you think it might be.  You should ask your surgeon to explain your nose to you and ask to see case examples of your surgeons’ work that show the results for similar cases where possible.  You should understand though that the healing process cannot be fully controlled and that what’s been achieved for a patient with a similar nose may not be what ultimately is achieved for you.  Your surgeon should be comfortable providing you with a number of rhinoplasties they perform a year.  This number should be viewed in the context of the complexity of that surgeons practice.  A high number of rhinoplasties performed a year may mean that this complicated operation has been performed quickly and does not necessarily mean that good results follow.

You should choose your surgeon for Rhinoplasty based on the knowledge that they’re surgical training includes the area you’re looking for surgery on.  These surgical specialties associations at the Royal College of Surgeons of England can help provide this information.  You should ensure your surgeon has annual appraisal and five yearly revalidation by the General Medical Council.  You should ensure your surgeon has medical indemnity cover and will continue your care after your operation.  You should consider your surgeon’s wider credentials and reputation amongst other surgical colleagues such as whether they are a recognised teacher for your area of cosmetic surgery.

JRJ