Initial Consultation for Rhinoplasty in Washington DC
When you decide to get nasal surgery, it is not a simple in-and-out procedure. Such an important choice requires intensive preparation with an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon. Before you receive the operation, you will speak with Dr. Michael Somenek during an initial consultation for rhinoplasty in Washington DC.
What to Expect from an Initial Consultation
Prior to a rhinoplasty consultation, a patient care coordinator will reach out to a prospective patient to discuss their role and find out what timeline the patient is considering for the surgery. Upon meeting them in the office, our team performs gets a comprehensive look at the nose so that Dr. Somenek can go over certain aspects that need to be addressed. This allows him to point out some things that the patient may not have noticed and give them better guidance as to what is recommended for the rhinoplasty. He will also have a very detailed discussion with them about previous trauma, previous surgeries to their nose, and what their overall goals are, in order to better meet their expectations.
The consultation typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes, which includes a detailed cost analysis that the patient care coordinator discusses with them. The patient should expect to get a comprehensive overview about realistic expectations, the recovery process, and what the final result might look like.
For every rhinoplasty consultation in Washington DC, we perform three-dimensional imaging with the patient, which allows us to simulate an expected result and demonstrate realistic expectations for a rhinoplasty. The measurements are all taken with the Crisalix imaging program.
How Should a Patient Prepare for an Initial Consultation?
The patient should think about the type of result that they are looking for. It helps to establish mutual expectations with the surgeon. They should also have an understanding of the general overview of the procedure, which is readily available on our website, and read up on the frequently asked questions that many people have prior to undergoing a rhinoplasty. During all rhinoplasty consultations, Dr. Somenek asks about:
- Any previous nasal surgeries, including for sinuses
- Previous trauma to the nose
- Breathing problems
- Overview of any medical problems
- Medications they take
Patients should think about their history and come prepared to answer these questions so that we can get a holistic view of their prior medical history.
Developing a Treatment Plan
The biggest thing that Dr. Somenek looks for during the initial consultation with a potential patient in DC is seeing if their rhinoplasty goals are in line with what he thinks he can do for them. This will allow him to meet their expectations much more easily. If they can have the same goals in mind, the chances of success and overall satisfactory results will be markedly higher.
A lot of the treatment plan is developed during the consultation because it allows Dr. Somenek to get to know the patient, to see what their goals and expectations are, and to figure out how to treat the issues that are concerning them. A treatment plan has to consider what type of surgical approach is being used, as well as the timeline regarding the patient’s lifestyle, work schedule, and family life.
The Patient-Surgeon Relationship
Dr. Somenek is highly involved with every single one of his patients from the initial consultation to the final postoperative visit. In addition to the initial consultation, patients will also see him for a preoperative visit about one to two weeks prior to their surgery. This allows him to touch base and see if their expectations and goals are still in line with one another. He then meets with them during every postoperative visit, building a strong relationship of trust and communication.
Schedule an Initial Consultation for a Rhinoplasty in Washington DC
It is important to let us know your medical history and what you intend to get out of a procedure, which why we require a preoperative discussion. The cost for a comprehensive rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Michael Somenek is $150. Place a call now and schedule a consultation for a rhinoplasty in Washington DC.
Check out some of our work in these before and after galleries for rhinoplasty.