Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty) Bay Area & San Francisco
What is my initial consultation like?
During the first meeting, your surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate for surgery while at the same time you will decide if he or she is right for you. This starts with a full health history with a focus on any previous nasal trauma, breathing problems, allergies, or any major illnesses that can cause problems during your surgery. It is important to tell your surgeon if you smoke or take any medications, supplements, or other drugs as these can have a big impact on your surgery. An example is aspirin or ibuprofen which can lead to bleeding after your procedure. During the exam, your surgeon will do a general evaluation of your facial proportions relative to your nose. He or she will then do a detailed exam of your nose both from the outside and the inside with the use of a speculum. Finally photographs are taken of all patients; these assist with the planning and evaluation of your surgery. These photos can also be used to create modified images of how your nose will look after surgery. These images help patients and surgeons communicate and plan surgery and should not be viewed in any way as a guaranteed result.
Based on this thorough assessment and a discussion of your goals, the surgeon will describe not only what approach is best for you but also the various alternatives and all of the risks and limitations associated with each of these.
It is very important to listen carefully to the various limitations of each approach and to openly discuss your expectations with your surgeon. Many times a poorly informed patient or surgeon is the direct cause of an unsatisfactory result even when there are no complications with surgery. The surgeon should also go over the details of the procedure including the type of anesthesia used, the facility where surgery will take place, and the costs involved.
At the end of the consultation you may decide to go ahead with surgery and schedule a date but if you are unsure or don’t feel fully informed don’t hesitate to ask your doctor any questions. A second meeting may be necessary and should always be available as an option.
