14 Jul 2026 | by Akshay Sanan, MD, FACS
The nose plays such an important role in terms of your facial proportion that if it is not the right size or shape, it’s likely something that has bothered you for awhile. The irony that I see quite often with patients is though they may take months or even years researching a rhinoplasty procedure before scheduling an in-person consultation, there are still a myriad of common mistakes that they make which may adversely impact both the surgical experience and the final outcome. These include such common pitfalls as choosing a plastic surgeon based solely on cost or highly filtered social media results, going into surgery with unrealistic expectations and not adequately preparing for your recovery. As a Double-Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, I perform a lot of rhinoplasty procedures for my Boston area patients. This makes me well equipped to discuss the biggest rhinoplasty mistakes that patients make before surgery.
Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon May Not Be The Cheapest
Cost is something that I take seriously. I understand that aesthetic procedures are a big ticket, out-of-pocket expense so I pride myself on being extremely honest about what your procedure will actually cost and why. There are no “hidden” fees. I also never upsell a patient something that he or she doesn’t actually need. Having said that, cost should also not be the defining parameter for choosing a plastic surgeon. Rhinoplasty requires a surgeon with intense technical know how and skill as well as a highly trained artistic eye. It is literally a procedure where a millimeter can make the difference between a great result and a substandard result. Choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself, may cost a bit more. But you are paying for expertise. Furthermore, if something goes wrong with a cheaper, less qualified surgeon, you are going to be on the hook for potentially much more money in order to fix any problems.
Do Not Trust Social Media Results
The other huge mistake that I see patients make is choosing a plastic surgeon based on his or her social media results. Just because someone has a lot of followers on Instagram does not necessarily mean that he or she is an exemplary plastic surgeon. Furthermore, before and after photos online are often manipulated either with:
- Filters
- Changes in lighting
- Makeup in after photo, but not before photo
- Different angle in after photo to make it more flattering
I always encourage any patient, and particularly rhinoplasty patients, to schedule in-person consultations with 2 or more plastic surgeons. Yes, you will have to pay a fee that may or may not be applied towards surgery if you decide to move forward with that surgeon. But this is a small price to pay for investigating the person who will be cutting and reshaping your nose in real life.
Managing Expectations
Another common mistake that I see rhinoplasty patients make before surgery is that they often have unrealistic expectations in terms of the outcome of their surgery and/or were not prepared for the realities of the recovery. I take the time during our initial meetings explaining how your individual nose interacts with the rest of your facial features as well as what we can expect to achieve with your rhinoplasty. Any aesthetic procedure must work within the confines of your unique anatomy. This is especially true with the face as no facial feature exists in isolation. Any change in one is going to affect the others. My job is to deliver the size and shape nose that will restore proper proportion to your face.
Recovery is a Critical Component of Rhinoplasty Procedure in Boston
I also like to set my rhinoplasty patients up for post-op success by giving you a realistic timeline for your recovery. My team and I will make certain that you know well in advance of any products, such as pillows for keeping your head elevated during sleep, or systems that will need to be in place like:
- Housekeeper
- Dog walker
- Food delivery
- Rides to and from appointments
The goal is for you to be able to keep your focus where it belongs — giving your body the time and space to heal. So, selecting a surgeon with extensive facial plastic surgery experience who understands the limitations of surgery and who has laid out a clear recovery plan before you ever enter the OR is crucial for achieving a natural, balanced and harmonious rhinoplasty result that will stand the test of time.
To find out more about a Rhinoplasty, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Akshay Sanan at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 402-2768 to schedule a consultation.
