Be Ready For Your Rhinoplasty

For years, you have felt embarrassed about the size and shape of your nose. You have never felt it was proportionate to the rest of your face, and you feel it’s had a negative impact on your overall body image. So you have decided to have the rhinoplasty surgery performed by an expert cosmetic surgeon. You’re not unlike the hundreds of other Orange County patients who opt to have this surgery performed each year. It is a common cosmetic procedure, but many people in Newport Beach underestimate the importance of surgery preparation.

What is the Best Way to Prepare for the Rhinoplasty?

It is important to follow the proper protocol before having this surgery performed. It is recommended that patients meet with the cosmetic surgeon for a consultation appointment prior to booking their spot in the operating room. This gives the patient the chance to talk to the doctor about the surgery, and about their goals for the end result. In turn, it allows the facial plastic surgeon to determine if the patient is qualified and ready for this particular procedure.

The surgeon will perform a physical exam in order to make sure the patient is healthy enough to undergo the operation. Patients who have underlying health issues may not be able to have the rhinoplasty performed because the risks associated with the surgery are too high.

Patients should avoid drinking alcohol for at least two weeks prior to the surgery. In addition, all rhinoplasty patients should quit smoking for good at least several weeks before the operation. This will help to minimize the risks and complications associated with the surgery, and also helps the patient enjoy the best results after the fact.

Patients should not take certain medications leading up the surgery. In particular, anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning medications should be avoided. This includes drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin. It is important to provide the surgeon with information about all of the medications that you are taking. The surgeon will determine which medications are safe to continue, and which ones should be avoided until after the operation.

The recovery procedure requires the patient to rest for about 7-10 days after the operation. During this time, patients should keep their head elevated and avoid participating in strenuous activities. Contact sports should be avoided for several weeks, and patients should stay out of the sun. The skin on the nose is especially vulnerable to sun damage during this time. Patients will have to make several follow-up appointments with the surgeon in order to touch base about their recovery and to allow the surgeon to evaluate the results of the rhinoplasty surgery.