It’s no secret that the perception of beauty is often narrowly defined and heavily influenced by media and societal standards. This has resulted in levels of insecurities among many individuals regarding their appearance. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures— with over 100,000 operations performed every year.
Unfortunately, this rise in demand for rhinoplasty has also given rise to unqualified surgeons who advertise their services as safe and affordable. This makes it more important than ever for prospective patients to conduct thorough research before choosing an expert surgeon and finalizing plans for rhinoplastic surgery. To help you get started on your search, here is a helpful guide from the best rhinoplasty surgeon in Dallas on how to find a qualified surgeon who can help you achieve your aesthetic goals safely and effectively.
Ask for References and Speak to Those Who Have Been There Before
Before you settle on a particular surgeon, make sure you ask for references. While this may seem like an unnecessary step, it is an excellent way to check on the quality of services a surgeon provides. If a surgeon is reputable and experienced, they will likely have a long list of satisfied patients who can vouch for their exceptional services. Offices also keep records of patient feedback, which you can request to better understand how the surgeon’s practice is run. You can also request photos of previous patients to get a better idea of how your rhinoplasty will look after the procedure is complete.
Hearing the stories of individuals who underwent the same procedure you’re considering can help you better understand the benefits and drawbacks of this particular procedure. You can also use this opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the procedure or recovery process. While you want to be sure to give the surgeon a fair chance, you should also be sure to feel comfortable enough to walk away if the experience doesn’t feel right.
Research the Surgeon’s Training and Certification
Rhinoplasty is a complex procedure that requires precision and an expert level of skill. As such, it’s important to find a surgeon who has the proper training and credentials to perform the surgery. While there are no requirements to become a certified rhinoplasty surgeon, there are a few associations that you can look into to find out more about a surgeon’s training and experience. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is one such organization, while the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and American Society for Rhinoplasty (ASRh) are others you can check out. While it’s important to confirm that a surgeon is qualified for the rhinoplasty procedure you’re interested in, it’s also wise to check out their experience level. You want to make sure that the surgeon has performed enough rhinoplasty procedures to feel comfortable with offering you personalized recommendations based on your unique needs and goals.
Check Out the Surgeon’s Before and After Pictures
Though you should definitely check out the before and after pictures on a surgeon’s website, you should also look at their Instagram account to get a better grasp of what the surgeon can achieve with your unique features. You can also use Instagram to look up rhinoplasty hashtags to see examples of recent patients and their unique outcomes. Through these images, you can get a better understanding of what your rhinoplasty outcome might look like based on your unique facial features. You can also use this opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the results you see in the surgeon’s Instagram feed.
Confirm the Surgeon Has Stable, Safe Practice Conditions
As with any medical procedure, the quality of your surgeon’s equipment and practice conditions can greatly impact your safety. While it’s near impossible to know for certain whether a surgeon is using brand new, sterile equipment for every single procedure, you can make a habit of asking questions to get a better idea of their equipment practices. You can also request to see the equipment used in past procedures to get a better idea of how safe your surgeon’s practices are. Besides looking at the equipment a surgeon uses, you should also take a careful look at the conditions in which procedures are performed. You want to make sure that the surgeon uses a facility that has been deemed safe by the Department of Health and Human Services. You can also ask the surgeon about their previous infection rates and how they are actively working to keep the rates as low as possible.
Make Sure You Feel Comfortable With Your Surgeon
While skill and experience are important, what’s more important is that you feel as comfortable as possible with your surgeon. You’ll be trusting this person with your appearance — so you want to make sure they are the right fit.
