How to Choose a Rhinoplasty Surgeon: 10 Scientific and Safety Criteria

Choosing a rhinoplasty surgeon is a medical decision and should not be based solely on advertising, follower counts or a few before-and-after photographs. A proper assessment should take account of both safety and airway health, as well as your aesthetic goals.

Important: No surgeon or technique can guarantee a specific outcome, an outcome without complications or 100% satisfaction. Whether rhinoplasty is suitable, and which approach to use, are determined after an examination and an assessment of your individual circumstances.

1. Check professional qualifications through an official source

Check the doctor’s specialist title, licence to practise and professional background through official, verifiable sources. The use of promotional titles such as “the best surgeon” or “cosmetic subspecialist” is no substitute for official confirmation of qualifications.

2. Be clear about your goals and expectations

The clinical practice guideline on rhinoplasty recommends that doctors ask about patients’ motivations and expectations for the outcome, and establish whether those expectations are realistic. During your consultation, explain your desired outcome, concerns and limitations in detail.

3. Take the assessment of breathing and nasal function seriously

Rhinoplasty is not only about appearance. The clinical practice guideline recommends that nasal airway obstruction should also be assessed before surgery. If you have a blocked nose, breathing difficulties or a history of a deviated nasal septum, ask about a functional assessment.

4. Give a complete account of your medical history and risk factors

Underlying medical conditions, bleeding disorders, obstructive sleep apnoea, medicines and supplements, and previous nasal surgery can affect decision-making and the treatment plan. Withholding this information can compromise safety.

5. Ask about risks and the possibility of further surgery

Before making a decision, you should receive a clear explanation of possible complications, changes in breathing, the limitations of surgery and the possibility of needing further surgery.

6. Interpret before-and-after photographs with caution

Photographs can be useful for understanding the scope of a surgeon’s work, but they do not establish what your own outcome will be. Lighting, angle, camera distance and when the photograph was taken all matter.

7. Pay attention to the quality of explanations and informed consent

The doctor should explain the benefits, limitations, alternatives and relevant risks in understandable language, and provide enough time for questions. Pressure to make a quick decision or promises of a certain outcome are not good signs when making an informed medical decision.

8. Ask about the surgical approach rather than assuming that one method is always better

Open, closed and preservation approaches can each be appropriate in particular circumstances. The available evidence does not support the definite superiority of one method for all patients.

9. Ask about the postoperative care and follow-up plan

Before surgery, find out how to contact the care team if you experience pain, bleeding, fever, breathing difficulties or any other concern, and how follow-up will be arranged. The precise timing of care should be determined by your operation and circumstances, rather than treated as a fixed schedule for all patients.

10. Base your decision on the evidence as a whole

Verifiable professional qualifications, a thorough medical assessment, clear communication, a realistic explanation of limitations and risks, and a follow-up plan are more reasonable criteria than promotional rankings and absolute promises.

Suggested questions for your consultation

• What is a realistic surgical goal in my case?
• Do I have airway obstruction or another functional problem?
• Which medical factors might alter the risks of surgery?
• Which complications should I know about before making a decision?
• Why has the proposed method been chosen for my anatomy and goals?
• What is the follow-up plan if the outcome differs from my expectations or I develop a breathing problem?

Scientific References

1. Ishii LE, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;156(2 Suppl):S1-S30. PMID: 28145823.