Rhinoplasty in NYC: Appt 2

4/15/09: Second rhinoplasty consultation, first w/ Dr. Norman Godfrey, M.D. I have been online now for a few weeks looking at before and after shots of different doctors not only in NYC, but around the country. Dr. Godfrey’s before and afters were by far, the absolute best I’ve seen. He seems to do incredibly beautiful work. Well, despite my desire to not have my pockets raped, I decided to schedule the $200 consultation, because when I spoke to the receptionist, she told me that my insurance can be billed for the visit, and I'd just have to pay the co-pay (to see a specialist, my co-pay is $40). The office is nice, and the examination room was above average looking; very clean, well kempt. Dr.Godfrey seems intelligent and slightly eccentric. He closes his eyes a lot when he speaks. He provided me with the information that semantics shouldn’t play a role here, and that what may be “slightly smaller” to him and me, might be very different, so he takes a more technical approach. He can show me on before and after shots what the subtraction of 1mm off the bridge will look like compared to 2. His approach was comforting; he put me at ease, and in general, I felt very comfortable as his patient. He took me into his office in front of huge professional lights and a screen, and snapped several photographs of my face from different angles. Before leaving, Dr.Godfrey gave me a prescription for a CT Scan, explaining to me that in order for me to have a septorhinoplasty, my insurance will have to step in and cover some of the costs (Anesthesia fees, facility fees, and some of the procedure itself). He wouldn't discuss cost until he could look at my CT Scan results. I'm to request "CD" or "film" from the CT Scan...then I have to book a follow up session. Overall, my impression of this doctor and his facility is great.

Rhinoplasty in NYC: Appt 1

4/1/09: First rhinoplasty consultation, first (and only) w/ Dr. William B. Rosenblatt, M.D. @ Lenox Hill Plastic Surgery Center. My first impression is that this is not a “nice” office. It seems old, weathered, and above all else, dirty. The examination room is pretty standard; seats, drawers, cabinets. Dr.Rosenblatt comes in to greet, and asks me what I’m looking for/tells me what he sees. He uses a pair of speculums to look into my nose and tell me “You have a nicely deviated septum” and explains to me about cycled breathing and how my septum affects that. He tells me he can narrow and straighten my bridge, even out the crookedness, narrow the bulbousness of the tip and lift it slightly. He seemed very authoritative; “I’m the doctor, I’ve been doing this for a very long time” type of thing. When looking through his before and after books, there were a lot of after shots I didn’t think looked nice at all. When pointing one out in particular, I said “that still looks crooked to me,” he said sternly, “Well, it’s NOT!” Then, his assistant Jackie gave me a quote in another room. $6,000 surgical fee for Rhino/Septoplasty + $1,000 OR fee + $1,100 Anesthesia fee. Total $8,100, but if I pay cash, then surgical fee goes down to $5,500. $1,000 OR fee? The OR is in this dirty facility!! What the heck am I being charged for? I think it’s pretty clear I won’t be back here.