1. Choose a plastic surgeon who has the appropriate credentials and experience. Any doctor can call themselves a plastic surgeon, which can be confusing to patients. You want to find real plastic surgeons that are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
  2. Once you have chosen the right practice and surgeon for you, come to your appointments prepared. Look and evaluate your nose and come up with the top three things you want see improved upon when it comes to the appearance of your nose. Also, ask plenty of questions because the more aligned your goals and the surgeons operative plan are, the better your outcome will be.
  3. Make sure you adhere to all of the follow-up instructions because your final result is mostly the surgical plan but the after care and recovery can be as important to get the best results possible.
  4. Patience is key. Rhinoplasty surgery is one of the hardest procedures for a patient to recover from because the nose is the center-piece of the face. Additionally, you will notice details of your nose you never noticed before as you inspect your nose after surgery. Asymmetric swelling is normal after surgery and swelling can persist for 1-2 years. Give your body time to heal and fully recover before you judge your final result.
  5. Remember that as you evaluate your final result, it is normal to not be perfectly happy with your result or that 100% of your expectations were met. No one has a perfect nose and perfection in plastic surgery or nature does not exist. Additionally, sometimes more surgery can make things worse in the end. If you are considering a revision surgery, remember to give your body enough time to heal before having a revision. Also, make sure you have thoroughly considered the pros and cons of additional nasal surgery and if your expectations can ultimately be met.