7 things to check before a rhinoplasty consultation
Seven things worth preparing before a rhinoplasty consultation — your current nose, your goal, materials, recovery time, previous surgery and more.
Even "rhinoplasty" differs from person to person: the approach depends on the structure of the nose, facial proportions, skin thickness and the goal of surgery. Thinking a few things through beforehand helps you make the most of a limited consultation. Here are seven worth checking.
1. What you most want to change
Be specific about what bothers you — bridge height, tip shape, a deviated nose, a hump, a bulbous tip. Several concerns at once are fine. Ranking them makes it easier to build a realistic plan.
2. Your goal and expectations
Whether you want a natural or a more noticeable change affects the method and materials. Reference photos help, but keep in mind that the same surgery can turn out differently depending on individual anatomy.
3. Your nose now and your history
Skin thickness, tip cartilage strength, the septum, functional issues such as rhinitis or congestion, and any previous nose surgery all shape the plan. If you have had surgery before, note down what you remember about the materials and method. The consultation checks skin thickness, tip cartilage, the septum and previous surgery, along with functional issues and overall facial proportions and asymmetry.
4. Methods and materials
Rhinoplasty uses your own cartilage (ear, septal and others) or implants, and different materials are often combined for the bridge and the tip. It matters that the properties of each material and the reason for choosing it are explained at the consultation. At Cejong, silicone is used for implants and septal, ear or rib cartilage for autologous grafts; the material is chosen according to the nose.
5. Recovery and returning to daily life
Scheduling is easier if you know in advance when the splint and stitches come off, how swelling and bruising progress, and when you can wash, wear make-up and exercise. Recovery varies. Typically the splint and stitches come off at around 5–7 days, washing and light daily activity resume after about 2–7 days, and exercise after about 4 weeks.
6. Precautions and lifestyle
During recovery, avoid knocks and pressure on the nose; glasses, washing, saunas and so on resume as advised. Smoking, alcohol and some medications can affect healing and should be discussed at the consultation.
7. Possible risks and revision
As with any surgery, rhinoplasty carries possible side effects such as swelling, bruising, infection, asymmetry and implant-related problems, and their degree and course vary. It is also worth knowing when, and under what conditions, revision could be considered if the result differs from what you expected.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring anything to the consultation? Nothing is required, but it helps to note what you want to change and any previous nose surgery. You are welcome to bring reference photos.
Are the consultation and surgery on the same day? The nose is assessed and a plan made first; the surgery date is set after the consultation to suit you. Whether same-day surgery is possible depends on the case, so please ask in advance.
How it differs from related procedures
Tip plasty focuses on the tip, hump correction on a prominent bridge. If you have had nose surgery before, the approach becomes revision rhinoplasty. Which suits you is decided at the consultation based on your nose.