As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon here in NJ, I have dedicated a good portion of my practice to rhinoplasty.
Over 15 years, I have honed my craft and found that some of my most gratifying moments as a plastic surgeon have come from helping rhinoplasty patients.
My goal today is to pass along some insights to help make your decision about rhinoplasty less complicated and your experience, should you go forward with surgery, a very positive one.
The good news is that there’s every reason to be optimistic that rhinoplasty in New Jersey will achieve your goals, provided you’re a good candidate with a realistic outlook.
To achieve the very best results, stick to the basics:
- Do your research about rhinoplasty in New Jersey.
- Carefully choose your rhinoplasty surgeon.
- Go forward only when you’re confident, based on what you have learned.
The vast majority of patients following this basic roadmap can expect to be happy with their rhinoplasty experience and outcome.
How to Decide if Rhinoplasty is For You
The decision to have rhinoplasty can be an emotional journey for patients because the stakes are quite high. The nose gives character to the face, defines your overall look and also brings out the best in all of your other facial features. You may find rhinoplasty helpful if:
- Your nose is out of balance with the rest of your features, contributing to poor self-esteem or distracting you from reaching life goals.
- Functional problems with your nose interfere with breathing, limiting physical and social activity, and making life miserable.
- You’re seeking correction or repair of a prior rhinoplasty done elsewhere, which has caused added frustration and anxiety in your life.
To anyone who sees themselves described here, my first bit of advice is to fearlessly and thoroughly explore your options.
Adding Up the Costs of Rhinoplasty in New Jersey
Many of my revision rhinoplasty patients tell me that in hindsight, they were not really comfortable with their former surgeon or firmly cognizant of the plan.
Some revision patients explain that the former surgeon gave them the impression their case was “just a walk in the park” and they weren’t told what to expect.
Other revision patients explain that they went forward when they were offered a lower price. You won’t be surprised then, to hear me say that you should put price aside at first when discussing your rhinoplasty.
Don’t choose a procedure or surgeon in hopes of saving money, because the trade-off can be an unsuccessful procedure. Additionally, don’t go forward if you’re not completely comfortable or not well-informed about rhinoplasty and remember that rhinoplasty is surgery and should not be taken lightly.
An unsatisfactory result or the need for a revision surgery is a high price to pay.
A rhinoplasty that doesn’t meet your needs is a rhinoplasty that costs you much, both emotionally and economically–and it’s a big waste of your time. Remember that price is only one of the costs of surgery.
What looks like a bargain can be a mistake, but also choosing a high-priced rhinoplasty procedure and surgeon, thinking it is a guarantee of success can be a mistake too.
When you’re considering rhinoplasty, New Jersey is an excellent place to be. You will find some of the best, most experienced surgeons in the country. If you proceed prudently and cautiously, you can ensure that your rhinoplasty will be worthwhile and successful.
Remember to take your time and choose your surgeon carefully. Considering all the costs, choose a surgeon who inspires your confidence and position yourself for a terrific outcome.
Getting the Results You Want from Your Rhinoplasty: Talking to Your NJ Rhinoplasty Surgeon
Some of my revision patients have told me that they wish their first surgeon had listened to them. Misunderstandings can occur if your plastic surgeon doesn’t engage with you during the decision and planning phases of your rhinoplasty.
I suggest that not only should you check the qualifications and licensure of your surgeon, but also pay attention to your gut feeling after meeting with them.
When you meet with your New Jersey rhinoplasty surgeon, he or she should take a deep interest in you. Your surgeon should discuss your medical history and ask about your reasons for seeking surgery. Your rhinoplasty surgeon should also ask what you have in mind for the outcome.
Your surgeon should then explain in detail how your result will be achieved. These are the signs of a surgeon who sees you as an individual. A good plastic surgeon can provide expert opinion and experienced guidance, and should also be someone you feel you can trust.
Although complications are rare, they can occur. You need to be confident that your surgeon will see you through any problems you have and help you achieve a good result despite complications.
Evaluating Benefits and Risks of a Rhinoplasty in New Jersey
Some of the benefits that rhinoplasty surgery can provide:
- Reshaping the nose for a more pleasing profile.
- Repositioning the structures of the nose to remove a bump.
- Refining the tip of the nose.
- Recontouring an “overdone” nose.
- Restoring the function of the nose to improve breathing and sleep quality.
- Correcting a nose that is off center.
- Making the nose smaller.
- Making the bridge thinner.
- Reshaping the nasal tip.
- Reshaping the nostrils.
- Bringing out the best in other facial features.
- Creating overall facial harmony.
- Making you feel more photogenic.
- Allowing you freedom to do more, if breathing or a distracting nose was a problem before.
- Boosting confidence.
Although rare, surgical risks include:
- Bleeding.
- Blood clotting.
- Infection.
- Slow or impaired healing.
- Excessive scarring.
- Prolonged swelling.
- Prolonged numbness.
- Asymmetry.
- Disappointing results
Rhinoplasty complications can largely be avoided with meticulous surgical technique and attention to detail. Please choose your surgeon wisely. Speed your healthy recovery by making sure you follow all instructions when preparing for surgery and while healing after surgery.
Finding the Best NJ Rhinoplasty Surgeon For You
For your rhinoplasty in New Jersey, you need a surgeon who is genuinely interested in what you’re trying to accomplish with the procedure and of course highly qualified and experienced.
Your surgeon must pay close attention during your consultation, both to ensure that what you’re seeking is realistic, and to plan the details of your procedure for a satisfying result.
Your surgeon must be board certified in both general and plastic surgery and should have surgical privileges at a prestigious local hospital as a hallmark of quality. (As an example, Hackensack University Medical Center, where I am accredited locally, only grants privileges to the highest-level surgeons in each discipline.) Your rhinoplasty procedure will likely take place in a surgical center and you should ask if it is accredited.
Beyond the important basics, look for:
Reconstructive Experience
There are numerous subtleties involved rhinoplasty that your New Jersey rhinoplasty surgeon must carefully plan for–so that your face, overall, looks great after the procedure. Facial anatomy is very intricate and requires expert-level knowledge and years of experience to ensure the best result.
Reconstructive surgeons have the expertise required for superior rhinoplasty results. This comes from actually rebuilding the nose and other facial structures in reconstructive plastic surgery procedures while repairing traumatic injury or birth defects. Look for reconstructive experience–no matter what type of rhinoplasty procedure you’re seeking.
Revision Rhinoplasty Experience
Because of the skill required for the most complex revision rhinoplasty cases, I did not begin taking on these level of cases until only I had assisted in and then completed reconstructive procedures for several years. Now, I often treat the most difficult revision rhinoplasty cases referred by other physicians and surgeons.
I have found that many rhinoplasty procedures are best served by the more precise open rhinoplasty technique, which allows for more accurate handling of nasal structures and hence more predictable results.
Even if your case is more straightforward, choosing a surgeon well-versed in revision procedures gives you the advantage of the expert judgment and technical expertise involved.
Aesthetic Judgment
Your New Jersey rhinoplasty surgeon must consider facial proportions and structural details along with your wants and needs in crafting the surgical plan. To avoid any negative surprises from your rhinoplasty in NJ, choose a surgeon that is technically superb, but who also understands how to achieve an appealing, balanced facial appearance.
Your rhinoplasty should be personalized just for you, but make sure your surgeon shares your definition of what a good outcome looks like. There is no substitute for good aesthetic judgment.
Openness and Honesty: Don’t Settle for Less
Expect a good surgeon to focus upon determining whether you’re a good candidate for rhinoplasty. Complete honesty is important when deciding if rhinoplasty is right for you, so be honest with your surgeon about what you hope to achieve from the procedure.
In turn, you’ll receive an explanation of what the procedure can accomplish for you, taking into account your unique facial shape and the relationship of your features to one another.
You should get a clear understanding of the risks of rhinoplasty and how best to avoid them. Provided your goals align with the probable rhinoplasty outcome, we can go forward with your rhinoplasty procedure—expecting an outstanding result.
Having guided hundreds of patients through this journey, I’ve been proud to help New Jersey rhinoplasty patients find greater joy and possibilities in their lives. Seeing patients smile as they take their first look in the mirror after their splint is removed always reminds me why I love what I do and choose to make rhinoplasty the focus of my practice.
When you’re ready to find out if you’re a good candidate for rhinoplasty, I’m happy to help. Contact my Bergen County office for a no-charge consultation about how a rhinoplasty might benefit you.
