Question: Do all doctors perform ethnic rhinoplasty or do I need to find a surgeon who specializes in this? What should I be looking for in a doctor?
Answer: Not all doctors perform ethnic rhinoplasty, but nearly any appropriately-trained plastic surgeon should be able to perform a good rhinoplasty on almost any patient, regardless of ethnicity. While there are general nasal anatomic differences among people of various ethnic backgrounds, the principles of rhinoplasty are essentially the same. The specific maneuvers performed in a rhinoplasty will depend on what changes the patient desires and how much he or she wishes to preserve the ethnic nasal features. It is not necessary to find a surgeon who “specializes” in ethnic rhinoplasty; although some patients are more comfortable with this because they perceive that the surgeon understands them better. The most important thing would be to find a surgeon who is experienced in rhinoplasty and with whom the patient feels comfortable discussing his or her concerns.