How to choose a rhinoplasty surgeon in Porto

Rhinoplasty is one of the most demanding plastic surgeries there is. The nose sits at the centre of the face, has an essential function, breathing, and a few millimetres make the difference between a natural result and a nose that looks operated. That is why the most important decision in the whole process is not the date of the surgery or the price: it is the choice of surgeon.

If you are thinking about having a rhinoplasty in Porto, this guide brings together the criteria you should assess and the questions worth asking at the consultation.

In Portugal, rhinoplasty is mainly performed by specialists in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and by specialists in Plastic Surgery. More important than the title is understanding whether the surgeon is truly dedicated to the nose: how many rhinoplasties he performs a year, whether he has specific training in this area and whether he operates on both aesthetics and breathing function.

Also confirm that the doctor is registered with the Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos), which you can check on its website using the professional licence number.

A beautiful nose that breathes badly is not a good result. Many patients have, besides the aesthetic concern, a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or a weak nasal valve. A surgeon trained in Otolaryngology assesses these structures at the consultation and can correct them in the same surgery, in a septorhinoplasty.

Ask to see cases operated on by the surgeon himself, from several angles (front, profile, three-quarter and base) and, ideally, with more than a year of evolution. Be wary of galleries with only profile photographs or overly edited images. What you are looking for is consistency: different noses, all with a natural result adapted to each person’s face.

You can see examples in our clinical cases.

Rhinoplasty has evolved a great deal in the last decade. Techniques such as preservation rhinoplasty, which keeps as much as possible of the original structures of the nose, and ultrasonic rhinoplasty, which sculpts the bone with more precision, allow more natural results and more comfortable recoveries, with less bruising. Ask the surgeon which techniques he uses and why.

A good rhinoplasty consultation is long and honest. The surgeon should listen to what bothers you, examine the nose inside and out, explain what is possible and what is not, and tell you clearly when an expectation is not realistic. The facial simulation helps align goals, but it is a conversation tool, not a guarantee of the result.

Recovery is part of the result. Ask how many follow-up consultations are planned, what instructions you will receive and how you can contact the team if you have questions. A good protocol explains each stage, from the first week to the first year. See what it looks like in practice in our guide Rhinoplasty recovery: what to expect week by week.

• What is your specialty and how many rhinoplasties do you perform a year?
• Can I see your cases similar to mine, from several angles and with more than a year of evolution?
• Does my nose have any breathing problem that should be treated in the same surgery?
• Which technique do you plan to use in my case and why?
• Where is the surgery performed, under what anaesthesia and how long does it take?
• What is the follow-up like after surgery and how many consultations are included?
• What happens if a small touch-up is needed?

• Promises of a guaranteed result or a nose identical to one in a photograph.
• Pressure to book the surgery on the same day or time-limited discounts.
• Very short consultations, without examination of the inside of the nose.
• Few photographs of results, or only from one angle.
• Little clarity about who does the follow-up after surgery.

At Clínica do Nariz e Face, rhinoplasty is performed by Prof. Dr. Miguel Gonçalves Ferreira, a specialist in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, with rhinoplasty as his main area of practice. He holds a PhD in Medicine, with academic ties to ICBAS at the University of Porto, is a member of the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery and the creator of the Spare Roof Technique in rhinoplasty, which he teaches in international courses for surgeons. You can learn more about his career on the page of our team.

The Porto practice is at Rua Orfeão do Porto, 52, 4150-798 Porto. For those living in the Minho region, the consultation can also take place at our rhinoplasty in Braga.

Book your consultation or call +351 915 808 584.

This article is for information purposes only and does not replace a medical consultation.