Choosing the right surgeon can be a daunting experience to go through for a prospective patient. There is no shortage of options when choosing a surgeon yet not every doctor is the right one for you, especially if you're considering nasal surgery of any sort. 

Here are three reasons to consider a rhinoplasty specialist over other plastic surgeons. 

Reason 1: A Rhinoplasty Specialist Has Focused and Specific Certification

Only asking your consulting physician “Are you board certified?” , you could potentially be misled about the qualifications of the doctor. As there are many types of doctors, so too are there many types of board certifications. There are only two boards which credentials surgeons for plastic surgery to the face. These are the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Even choosing a surgeon who is board certified from these recommended groups does not verify the surgeon’s ability to do rhinoplasty surgery. When in doubt, choose a surgeon who does a large number of nasal surgeries in his/her practice.

Reason 2: Choosing a Rhinoplasty Specialist Means Less Risk Of Nasal Dysfunction

Besides sitting in the middle of our face, the nose has two very important functions that we take for granted, which are breathing and smelling. Even if you may have no problems with the function of your nose, changes done during rhinoplasty surgery may alter these functions. Besides having a good looking nose, its important to also have a nose that works!

Reason 3: A Rhinoplasty Specialist Has Lots of Practice

As mentioned above, it is important to choose a surgeon who specializes in this type of surgery. Rhinoplasty surgery is one of the most challenging surgeries to perform. Ending up with a nice looking nose that also is able to breath well is no easy task. Just like a lawyer who does murder trials versus business mergers, rhinoplasty requires a completely different skill set than doing breast augmentations or tummy tucks.

Choosing a cosmetic surgeon in Manhattan requires plenty of research. You have to know the right questions to ask in order to avoid choosing a surgeon who may not have your best interest in mind. To help with that I've come up with 3 vital questions to help you choose the right plastic surgeon for you.

1.) Are you board certified in facial cosmetic surgery?

More specifically I would recommend only going to surgeons board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Although choosing a board certified surgeon will not guarantee a competent surgeon skilled in your surgery of interest, it will insure that the surgeon meets a minimum requirement.

2.) If I am getting a nose job should I go to a facial plastic surgeon or a general plastic surgeon? 

The gamut of cosmetic surgery is pretty large.  So a surgeon may have a practice that is largely focused on bodywork, (liposuction, breast augmentation, or tummy tucks) while only performing a few facial cosmetic surgeries a year.  If you are looking at a facial cosmetic procedure, it makes sense to seek a surgeon that focuses only on facial cosmetic surgery.

3.) How many of these surgeries do you do a year? 

Even though all cosmetic procedures are viewed individually, this question will give you an impression of your surgeons area of expertise.   

One of the most common changes Asians are seeking is the shape of the nose.  The majority of Asian rhinoplasty is to increase the height of the bridge and tip of the nose (also called augmentation rhinoplasty). 

One area many Asians patients get confused is assessing the length of the nose.  Many patient ask to have their nostrils reposition to a higher location.  However, many of these patients have what I believe to be a short nose.   A short nose appearance is frequently associated with a retracted columella  (The columella is the structure between the nostrils).  This finding is best appreciated on your profile view.  In some cases where the columella is too retracted, the nostrils can have an appearance of "hooding" over the columella. 

To address these finding, lengthening the nose (in addition to building the bridge and tip) may create more aesthetic harmony to the nose.