Should I have my Rhinoplasty performed by an ENT surgeon or a plastic surgeon?
This is something that is best decided after talking with your GP, however there are no firm reasons why you would require one over the other. An Ear nose and throat surgeon would perform a lot more rhinoplasties during their training as cosmetic rhinoplasty is not permitted on the NHS, but functional rhinoplasty (to improve nasal breathing) is and it is almost always carried out by an ENT surgeon. This means that ENT surgeons have extensive experience in rhinoplasties before they become consultants. Also, the external shape of the nose if often affected by bends or deviations in the nasal septum which is inside the nose. An ENT Surgeon will be better placed to be able to assess the impact of any such nasal septal deformity on the appearance of the nose and to correct this at the same time as the rhinoplasty.
Will my nose look like it has been operated on?
The aim is to perform a rhinoplasty that results in a normal looking nose. This could mean straightening a bent nose, removing a lump, turning up a down pointed nose etc but it will never mean making a nose look artificial. A good and well trained surgeon will leave you with the nose as close to your ideal nose as possible and no tell tale signs.
Which way of performing the surgery is best, closed technique or open technique?
An open technique rhinoplasty is done with a small cut at the base of the nose and also an internal cut. A closed technique means solely working on the inside of the nose. Both techniques can produce amazing results and the approach chosen should be down to the individual needs of the patient. A good surgeon will explain to you which method they intend to use and their reason why they intend to use it.
Can I have a second rhinoplasty if I am unhappy with the result of my first?
This depends on the individual factors, but assuming the aim is a reasonable and realistic one and all risks of surgery are understood by the patient then there should be no reason why a second, or even (rarely) a third rhinoplasty procedure can not be performed and achieve the desired results. The complexity of each subsequent rhinoplasty does however increase as do the potential risks so it is essential to think very carefully about what you are trying to achieve before proceeding with revision rhinoplasty surgery. Your surgeon will evaluate your aims and align them to what is technically and realistically achievable. The key is to arrive at a clear goal to avoid requiring more procedures than are necessary.