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When it comes to rhinoplasty, only the best should be good enough. But cosmetic surgeons --like experts in any area -- are not all equally qualified, trained or skilled. The information you will find here is recognised as an international benchmark on the subject of rhinoplasty or nasal surgery. Please use it to ensure that you get what you deserve! Armed with knowledge, you will be able to ask your surgeon pertinent questions before going under the knife. You will also be able to evaluate your surgeon's responses to determine whether he or she is the best person to perform a procedure that has the potential to work magic on your face and your self-esteem. Remember: During social interaction, we spend 60% of the time looking at the triangle formed by the eyes and chin of the person in front of us. And right in the middle of this triangle is, of course, the nose. It is therefore not surprising that your nose has a great impact on your self-esteem, and consequently on your interaction with other people. This, in turn, has far-reaching effects on your life.
# 1 The nose has 240 anatomical variants, which makes nasal surgery intellectually and technically the most demanding of all forms of surgery. The margin of error is at the most 1 millimetre.
# 2 Rhinoplasty is luxury surgery, therefore you are entitled to the very best results possible.
# 3 Unlike most other forms of cosmetic surgery, rhinoplasty produces a permanent result. A local change to the nose has a global effect on the face.
# 4 Rhinoplasty is three-dimensional visio-spatial art. Not only does your surgeon need to be supremely qualified and experienced, but he or she needs to be an artist as well.
 . What do I expect the operation to do for me?
 . Are my expectations realistic?
 . How will I handle disappointment if the results are not what I'd envisaged?
1. What are your credentials?
Very few medical schools offer specialised post-graduate training in nasal cosmetic surgery. Has your surgeon had formal, specific training in cosmetic and functional nasal surgery? The Nose Clinic advantage: Dr Pieter F Swanepoel, the Nose Clinic's specialist surgeon, qualified at South Africa's renowned Stellenbosch University and expanded his expertise through studies in the UK and the USA. He is a member of the prestigious American Academy of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). For full details of Dr Swanepoel's academic achievements, please see 'THE SURGEON' on this website.
2. What are your areas of expertise?
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists do not have specific training in cosmetic rhinoplasty, and don't generally perform this surgery. Cosmetic surgeons (general plastic surgeons) are also not specialised in internal (functional) surgery for breathing problems. The Nose Clinic advantage: Dr Swanepoel is expertly trained and equipped to deal with both external and internal nose surgery.
3. Who will ultimately be responsible
for the results?
If you require both internal and cosmetic surgery, and your cosmetic surgeon suggests that you consult another surgeon for the internal aspects of the procedure, or vice versa, ask which of the two surgeons will take ultimate responsibility for the outcome. Generally, one surgeon will blame the other. Neither general cosmetic surgeons nor general ENT surgeons are trained for or capable of undertaking a 'one-stage' procedure. The Nose Clinic advantage: The Nose Clinic team is expertly and specifically equipped for all aspects of nose surgery.
4. How long have you been performing rhinoplasty operations, and how often do you perform them?
Frequency is a crucial factor when it comes to competence and expertise: 100 cases per year is an absolute minimum for maintaining expertise. The Nose Clinic advantage: The Nose Clinic team has focused exclusively on nasal surgery for 30 years. During this time, they have performed more than 20 000 procedures.
5. Are you well versed in the latest rhinoplasty techniques?
Continued medical education (CME) is vital for any rhinoplasty surgeon -- an affiliation to a general cosmetic association is not a measure of current skill. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), the body that regulates, maintains and monitors medical standards in South Africa, requires a general annual upgrading in certain fields of activity. However, the Council does not specify rhinoplasty as a required upgradeable skill. The Nose Clinic advantage: The Nose Clinic's specialist surgeon keeps abreast of current technological and surgical developments through ongoing participation in international conferences, workshops and seminars facilitated by the prestigious American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS). In fact, Dr Swanepoel's own pioneering research and international presentations have made him one of the expert's experts.
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6. Do you have recent certification in rhinoplasty, or have you undergone upgrading?
The 'half-life' (currency) of most medical disciplines today is 3,5 years. In other words, 50% of your doctor's knowledge today will be out of date in 3 to 4 years. Degrees and diplomas reflect past qualifications. Check on the extent to which your surgeon has been updating his or her knowledge in this swiftly changing field. The Nose Clinic advantage: The Nose Clinic is one of the world's most specialised and most highly regarded centres for nasal surgery, and its dedicated team constantly upgrades their technical and medical knowledge. 'THE SURGEON'
7. Do you have a record or a website showing recent results of your surgery?
An informative website and visuals of your surgeon's work enable you to see what you will be getting. Without this, how could you know what kind of results will be achieved? The Nose Clinic advantage: The website you are on now is one of the world's most extensive sources of information on nasal surgery. In addition, the Nose Clinic boasts a wide range of 'before' and 'after' photographs -- a practical way to enable you to judge the results for yourself. 'BEFORE AND AFTER'
8. Do you use digital software to take pre-operative photographs of a patient's face in order to compare them to actual post-operative results?
Digital software is the most effective way to monitor rhinoplasty in an objective, measurable way. Has your surgeon invited you to participate in this accessible and exciting pre-operative planning? The Nose Clinic advantage: The Nose Clinic is dedicated to optimum results, and these can only be achieved with the full participation of the patient. Our digital software provides you with the clearest indications of the surgical goal.
9. Can you provide a colour print-out of the rhinoplasty preview?
You may want to discuss possible changes with your partner, family or friends. Without a visual reference of the potential results, how will you benefit from their input? The Nose Clinic advantage: We strongly believe that patients should be equipped with as much knowledge as possible. While the ultimate decision is yours alone, we believe that the input of your 'significant others' should play a role in your final decision about nasal surgery. So yes, the Nose Clinic is delighted to provide you with clear, comprehensive colour print-outs of your rhinoplasty preview.
10. Do you offer safe, conscious sedation anaesthesia?
Hospitalisation and general anaesthesia can be expensive. In addition, general anaesthesia carries risks, including more bleeding, bruising and swelling, all of which retard the healing process. The Nose Clinic advantage: The Nose Clinic's specialist surgeon has pioneered a safe, painless form of local anaesthesia for rhinoplasty that is accepted worldwide. For more on this groundbreaking research, please refer to 'THE SURGEON' on this website.
11. Can you provide an all-inclusive quote, and what will post-operative refinements cost should they be required?
Committing to surgery is a serious decision -- and one that should ultimately ensure you more satisfaction and self-confidence. Your focus after a surgical procedure should be on healing and enjoying the results. Hidden costs and surprise charges will not be helpful! The Nose Clinic advantage: We value our patients' integrity as well as our own, so there are no hidden costs or surprises at the Nose Clinic. Total costs are calculated in terms of the duration and complexity of the procedure, and our all-inclusive quotation includes the costs of the operating theatre, surgery, anaesthetist, medication, and post-operative consultations. 'COSTS'
12. Are your staff informed, dedicated and specialised in rhinoplasty, and are they able to answer basic questions about my procedure and post-operative care?
Your surgeon's staff members are a crucial reflection on him/her, and their level of professionalism and care can make an enormous difference to your experience of rhinoplasty. The Nose Clinic advantage: A specialist surgeon requires specialised staff -- and that is what the Nose Clinic delivers. And we are not content with providing only technical and medical information: The human factor makes all the difference, which is why we also ensure that our team members are approachable, caring and compassionate. 'STAFF'
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