How do I prepare for rhinoplasty surgery?
Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery.
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to:
- Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
- Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
- Hydrate before and after surgery for safe recovery.
Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you at least the first night following surgery. If your surgery involves septal work or is a revision of prior work, your surgeon may require an overnight stay to ensure your safety.
What can I expect the day of my nose surgery?
Below is what you can generally expect, but be sure to consult with your surgeon so that you have the most accurate expectations.
- You may have your rhinoplasty in a hospital, a free-standing ambulatory facility, or an office-based surgical suite.
- Most rhinoplasty procedures take at least one to three hours to complete but may take longer.
- The surgeon will administer medications for your comfort during the surgical procedure.
- General anesthesia is commonly used during rhinoplasty, although local anesthesia or intravenous sedation may be desirable in some instances.
- For your safety during the surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- Your surgeon will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before your surgery.
- After your procedure, you will go to a recovery area for continued monitoring.
- You will have a splint placed outside your nose to support its new shape as it heals. Nasal packing may also be used inside the nose to provide additional support.
- You will probably be permitted to go home after a short observation period unless you and your surgeon have made other plans for your immediate postoperative recovery.