Finding a qualified rhinoplasty surgeon is perhaps the most important decision the rhinoplasty candidate will make that should not be based on cost alone. A rhinoplasty procedure can sometimes drastically alter the appearance of one's face in order to provide more of an aesthetically pleasing result. This makes it especially important to find a surgeon that is able to provide the results that the rhinoplasty patient desires in a safe manner.

Every surgical procedure has surgical risks associated to it, but a qualified and proven rhinoplasty surgeon will thoroughly evaluate the patient prior to the cosmetic surgery to assess that individual patients risk factors. This will allow the rhinoplasty surgeon to be aware of any preexisting condition or increased risk to develop an adverse reaction during surgery, and the qualified surgeon has been trained to immediately recognize and react to any unforeseen complication. An inexperienced and/or under qualified surgeon, in the event that a complication does arise, will not have the ability to properly handle the situation.

As rhinoplasty surgery becomes more widely accepted and more common, Americans are misinterpreting this openness to thinking rhinoplasty is less serious of a procedure than it is. The increase in cosmetic procedure has created an increase in safer surgical practice, but still the number of reported illegal procedures performed is on the rise. Patients thinking they are saving money by visiting illegal "surgeons" are turning up dead or with major complications. Rhinoplasty, while a very safe cosmetic procedure, should still be viewed as an important decision. The rhinoplasty candidate should have thoroughly evaluated their goals they wish to attain through the cosmetic procedure and discussed it with the surgeon they have carefully chosen due to their already proven experience and successful results.

The rhinoplasty surgeon should review all the details of the surgical procedure, including how it is performed, the risks of the surgery, the benefits of the surgery, and fully communicate to the candidate if their goals are realistic. A candidate uncomfortable with the surgeon should not feel pressured to carry out the rhinoplasty procedure with them. The rhinoplasty candidate should not commit to any type of cosmetic surgery until they are confident with their decision and are certain they have properly communicated with the surgeon what they wish to achieve. All the rhinoplasty patient's questions should be answered with satisfaction before the procedure is performed.