Early warnings include:

• An endlessly ringing phone
• A busy signal
• An uninterested, bored phone receptionist

Some rhinoplasty surgeons charge for a first consultation and apply the fee toward the cost of the procedure.

Rhinoplasty is more difficult than you can imagine. You’ll be in far better hands and much more likely to prevent future problems if you use only board-certified plastic surgeons. (More about the difficulty of nose surgery.)

If you’ve found three or four surgeons online in your area you like, try filling out the patient contact forms on their websites.

Explain you are seriously interested in a nose job but working on a limited budget so a consultation fee is out of the question.

It’s okay these days to talk about budgets first!

When you go to the consultation, have the attitude that you are hiring a surgeon.

Ask:

• To see the surgeon’s before and after rhinoplasty pictures
• How many times weekly or monthly the surgeon performs the procedure in which you are interested. The more, the better!
• If you can call former patients

In the consultation, most surgeons hand you a mirror and ask you to point out what bothers you about your nose.

If you’ve had previous nose surgery, if you think your nose is too large, too crooked, too bulbous or too bumpy, say so, being as specific as possible about the change you want.

Try bringing a friend or relative along.

An artistic eye is usually necessary for nose surgery to create a nose balanced with the rest of your face.

Do you see balance and harmony in the surgeon’s before and after rhinoplasty pictures? If your eye does not go immediately to the patients’ eyes in the after pictures, the results are less than desirable.

Do you feel comfortable and reassured with the surgeon?

Remember, he or she wants to please you while making your nose look as good as possible. Why? One happy patient brings in five others!

If you decide to go ahead, ask for a firm quote on the total cost of the surgery. That includes:

• Surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesiologist fee
• Charge for operating room
• Recovery garments
• Medications