Rhinoplasty

The first consideration for rhinoplasty is the patient’s age. The nose is still growing through the mid to late teens, so we will want to wait until facial development is complete to perform a cosmetic rhinoplasty. Candidacy also depends on:

• Being in good overall health with no untreated conditions that would raise surgical risk
• Not smoking or being willing to stop for a minimum of four weeks before surgery and four weeks after surgery
• Understanding that rhinoplasty makes meaningful changes, but cannot give you an entirely different nose
• Being emotionally ready to wait for the final results, since swelling can take up to a year to fully resolve

Rhinoplasty is a surgery that requires thought and preparation before the day of the procedure. Start preparing several weeks ahead of time with these pre-surgery steps:

• Stop smoking. If you smoke or use any nicotine products, you will be required to stop a month ahead of time to avoid the surgical risks that come with nicotine use.
• Arrange time off and a caretaker. You will not be able to work or do chores around the house for a week or more. Take time off from work and arrange for someone to take you home from the surgery and help you with basic tasks for the first 24-48 hours.
• Prepare your recovery space ahead of time. Gather everything you need for a comfortable recovery and put it near the bed or recliner that you will be resting in.
• Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning medications. Avoid anything that thins the blood or causes bruising after surgery, like alcohol, aspirin and ibuprofen. Some supplements, like vitamin E and fish oil, should also be temporarily discontinued.

Rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility and typically takes around one to two hours to complete. It is considered an outpatient procedure. When you arrive, we will go over last-minute details and make sure you are comfortable before putting you under anesthesia. Your surgeon will carefully reshape the bone and cartilage before closing the incisions and placing a splint over the nose. You can go home once you have woken from the anesthesia and we confirm that you are in good condition.

• Sleep on your back with your head elevated for the first couple of weeks to help reduce overnight swelling.
• Use cold compresses around the eyes and cheeks to ease bruising, but never press directly on the nose itself.
• Do not blow your nose while the internal structures are healing. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe.
• Skip glasses that rest on the bridge of the nose while the bones and cartilage are still knitting. Tape them to your forehead or switch to contacts if you can.
• Protect your healing nose from direct sunlight. Healing skin is very sensitive to pigmentation changes.
• Skip heavy lifting and strenuous activity until your surgeon clears you.
• Keep all of your follow-up appointments.