I have decided to have my primary with Dr. Constantinides. He informed me that he would like to narrow my bridge, tip grafting to raise the tip and provide projection, alar base reduction as well as turboplasty to reduce the size of my turbinates. My pre-op is scheduled for April 16. Could you guys please let me know what I should look forward to during my pre-op, what type of questions should I raise, should i bring in many photos of the nose that I desire?

All I know is that when I went to see him he had a resident with him watching the pre op consult and I asked for privacy which he accepted reluctantly and then he had a nurse wait during the consult which I also asked her to leave since I believe that pre ops should be done in private. I felt like a lab rat...I felt uncomfortable. If you feel comfortable with others listening in on your problem then you will be fine cause he is very nice. But beware that he performs open rhinoplasty at 11k and that he is a resident trainer so he might have his resident perform certain aspects of the surgery. You should find out and consult with him, you might be satisfied.
P.S. He does computer imaging so you don't have to bring any photos

Actually my consultation was with the doctor alone in his office, closed door. I'm aware the he performs open. Is there a problem with open? From all but one two doctors I consulted with, open is the preferred procedure being that I require "extensive" tip work....tip rotation and narrowing. As far as the 11K, the doctor worked with me being that I'm a student...

Should I be concerned about this doctor?

As far as I am concerned I have no choice but to get an open rhinoplasty since my primary left me with some problems. Did he mention that you will a scar under the base of your nose since that is where they will open you up?
Concerning Constantinides I have nothing really bad to say except that incident made me very uncomfortable but it ended well since I helped him with his website and afterwards all was forgotten. I just want to mention to you that maybe you should also check out his website to get an idea of his work. I am considering Tabaal who many say is a great nose doctor but I am still confused and scared. I hope all goes well. Let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck!!!
P.S. Were there any other doctors that have been recommended to you? Please let me know of anyone else you are considering. Where did you hear of constantinides?

Okay here is my rundown.

The doctors that I have consulted with in the NY area included Dr. Howard Bellin, Dr. Dennis Barek, Dr. David Antell, Dr. Thomas Romo III, Dr. Minas Constantinides, Dr. Nicolas Tabbal, Dr. Steven Pearlman and Dr. Andrew Kornstein.

Here was my opinion with each consultation.

I was rather comfortable with Dr. Dennis Barek, he provided me with plenty of pictures of previous patients, but as far as my problem, the patients that I saw did not have a drastic difference, nothing that really stood out. His approach was a bit conservative IMO. Not only, I was not thrilled with the idea of him wanting to utilize Gore-Tex implant. As time progressed, I did not realize his office was his home.

Dr. Howard Bellin, he proclaimed he was the best nose surgery on the east coast, I felt uncomfortable with his arrogance. I also heard horror stories about his on the boards.

Dr. David Antell, all of his pictures were horrible, all of his noses had an aesthetic appearance (very very unnatural).

Dr. Thomas Romo III, never saw pictures of any of his patients, seemed quite rushed during the consultation

Dr. Nicolas Tabbal, actually showed me a picture of a patient, I met one of his patients in person…phenomenal work. Sat down with me, explained every question I had, even when I forgot some questions, the receptionist squeezed me in later the same day and Tabbal spoke with me some more (another 40 minutes or so). Suggested open because I would require extensive tip work. No implant would be utilized. I actually found Tabbal warming and caring….Tabbal said from the alar base reduction and open that you should barely see my scars and that they should hide pretty good. He also puts you on a regimen of vitamins that assist in reduction of scarring prior to surgery which includes Vitamin K and some other creams and etc..Tabbal said if he could, he would perform closed in my case, but because of the extensive tip work required open would “most” likely render satisfying results rather than the need to go in for a revision.

Dr. Andrew Kornstein, one of his patients told me he was an excellent doctor, but he would need more time working on noses. Saw one of his patients and I was not thrilled by how hard the tip was and the scarring.

Dr. Minas Constantinides, viewed pictures of previous patients, all noses appeared very natural, sat down in his office and he answered all questions, was thrilled by my nasal anatomy knowledge and other physiological knowledge (I’m pre-med Biochemistry major and so was he). He seemed more excited than I and was basically speaking to me in medical lingo lol. Told me the pros and cons of alar base reduction, why he performs open and why he would use Gore-Tex implant. I’m not thrilled with the Gore-Tex implant idea and will relay this information. NO FOREIGEN MATERIALS IN THIS BODY. He did not exactly try to sell the idea of the Gore-Tex implant, but he reasoned why it would be better. Told me there would be a scar from the open as well as the alar base reduction, but the fading depends on each individual. From his pictures, the scar was not bad in the least bit. He said from my anatomy, my scar would hide pretty well in my creases, which I agree after looking at my nose in the mirror….also said that open would reduce the need for revision in my case. Constantinides medically examined me, recommended x-rays and alternatives to some breathing problems I have.

Dr. Steven Pearlman, his work appeared rather natural, however one case I thought the patient had an aesthetic outcome, but she was a SEVERE CASE. Said that his knowledge of the nose is extensive where he can perform primary using the closed technique. He uses the open technique in difficult cases, usually revisions. However, if I require extensive tip work as Tabbal, Constantinides and Pearlman suggest, how can he see and view the entire anatomy closed? Pearlman took his time with me, answered all questions, provided thorough explanations, showed pictures and medically examined me. Prescribed medications to attempt to correct my problem and using surgery as the final step if all else failed.

In all, I’m torn between Constantinides and Tabbal. Both gave me realistic expectations, provided pros and cons for my situation, explained why certain procedures would be in my favor verse others.

Thank you so much for the information....if you need to know anything about constantinides or of anyone else, I will gladly give you the scoop on them...
P.S. Romo has been sued countless times and Bellin has had many horror stories

Thank you so much for the information....if you need to know anything about constantinides or of anyone else, I will gladly give you the scoop on them...
P.S. Romo has been sued countless times and Bellin has had many horror stories


Please give me the full scoop that you have on Dr. Constantinides.

The only thing left to say about constantinides from what I know is that he has not been sued so you are pretty safe knowing that. I haven't heard anything else about him though when I went to see him it seems that he was pretty knowledgable about what he was saying and he was giving me realistic expectations. Though there is a question that some have asked about him...is he certified in plastic surgery? I also asked him that question and he said that all that certification stuff is all politics. I wish you luck with him. I must admit that he was very honest with me and very patient friendly and down to earth unlike the others like daniel baker, j. macarthy, etc. who were very aloof and dismissive.