FAQ: Rhinoplasty

The surgery may alter the appearance of your nose, take off your dorsal hump, refine your nasal tip, augment or decrease the height of your nose, improve your contour and your nasal passage.

There are general and local complications from the procedure. Risks include infection, small burst blood vessels resulting in tiny, permanent red spots, and incomplete improvement which may require additional surgery.

There are fat grafting, injections/fillers and nonsurgical options that are less effective are make-up, massaging, and products that claim to add height

Yes.

Please refer to my website or during consultation for pictures.

Most of the time the incision will be located inside the nose and will not be visible. The size of the incision is small.

It is very rare for you to have a blood transfusion. In most cases, you do not need one.

You may experience bruising and swelling in the nose and eye area. Additionally, you may feel congested. The degree will depend on the amount of reconstruction that occurred during the surgery.

In most cases, the surgery should not affect the ability to breathe.

Yes you will and bandages may be removed a couple of days after surgery while splints are removed around a week after the surgery.

Depending on the patient, it could take 12-18 months for full recovery but around only 2 weeks to look presentable

The swelling should subside by 2 weeks and be minimal

It is very slim that you will need another nose surgery unless you are unhappy with the results or something out of the ordinary occurred that causes your nose to break

Pain is minimal and patients usually only feel discomfort and congestion

Majority of patients take just plain Tylenol or Tylenol #3.

Due to the technique I use, tubes and drains are not needed during this surgery.

Your scar will be hidden inside the nose, where it is not visible to others.

The surgery is an outpatient surgery done in my own surgery center.

You can usually return to work within a few days to 2 weeks after surgery.

You may drive once you stop taking narcotic pain medication and feel able to drive.

You may drive once you stop taking narcotic pain medication and feel able to drive.

You can usually return to work less than a week. If your job is very physical than it may take a little longer.

I usually like the procedure to be done under general anesthesia.

You will meet with the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery in the preoperative area. You may arrange to speak to an anesthesiologist by telephone prior to your surgery date.

Yes, your medication list will be reviewed during your consultation and your pre-operative appointments. Please notify your surgeon of any changes or new medications at your preoperative appointment. Medications that need be stopped for surgery with reviewed at that time.

History and physical, EKG, CBC, and metabolic panel for patients over 55 years of age. Thyroid panel for patients with thyroid disorders.

Stop eating and drinking at least 6 hours before the start of your surgery or by midnight the night before surgery.

Arrive one and an half hour before your scheduled surgery.

You can get the information on our website or call my office for direction.

Yes. You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.

• Arrange for personal items you might need during your hospital stay
• Arrange for someone to take care of responsibilities at home and work. Arrange for help driving, heavy lifting, and caring for pets for the first few days.
• Arrange for someone to take you home from the hospital
  You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.
• Call your doctor if you think of other questions
  You can call my office if you have any other questions.
• Notify your doctor if you get sick within 10 days of your surgery (even minor illnesses like a cold)
• Do not drink alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery. Do not smoke at least 6 weeks prior to surgery.
• Make sure you have the doctor’s contact information
  Make sure you have directions to the hospital/office for visitors
• Wear easy to dress clothing such as loose pants with an elastic waistband and a comfortable shirt with a zip up front.

The surgery can take 1-2 hours.

Usually in the recovery room, within an hour of your surgery ending.

Usually in the recovery room, once you are awake.

You will receive IV antibiotic immediately prior to surgery start and additional doses if needed in the recovery room. The antibiotic dosing follows the national surgical site infection protocol.

• Make sure your identity has been confirmed with name and date of birth
  Your driver’s license or identity such as OHIP number will need to be verified at your appointment and at the surgery center.
• Make sure your procedure has been confirmed
  Yes, review the surgery specifics at your preoperative appointment and again the day of surgery.
• Make sure the correct site of your surgery has been marked
  Yes, you will be marked while you are awake in the preoperative area. Communicate with your surgeon.
• Confirm any allergies and side-effects you might have
• Make sure you understand and have signed the informed consent forms

Please tell your surgeon if they may discuss your surgery with your ride home or if a significant other needs to be called.

The antibiotics are stopped within 48 hours of surgery.

Discuss with your surgeon.

For the majority of rhinoplasty patients, no drains or tubes are necessary.

You may eat and drink after surgery as soon as you feel well and not nauseated. Start with a soft, bland diet.

You may be released once you have met all the discharge criteria.

You need to have instructions reviewed with a responsible adult and meet all discharge criteria.

Tell the doctor or nurse which pharmacy you prefer. Non-narcotic medications such as Compazine may be sent electronically but narcotic pain medications must be printed and hand delivered to the pharmacy.

Yes, you will receive a list of medications to avoid prior to surgery and initially after surgery. Do not take NSAIDS, ibuprofen, or aspirin until your doctor approves.

Yes, the postoperative instructions will be reviewed at your preoperative appointment.

Apply ice to the area and keep your face elevated

You will follow up a day or two after surgery. Following this weekly appointment until you are fully recovered.

Your bandages will be removed at your first follow-up appointment and your splints will be removed a week after your surgery.

Bed rest is not necessary but you can do light activities, such as reading, going on the computer, watching tv, etc. It is advised you avoid any direct sunlight and applying any pressure onto the nose

Patients may resume exercise within 2-3 weeks after surgery and avoid contact sports for 8 weeks.

You may resume sexual activity at one to two weeks.

Patients usually return back to work within 1-2 weeks.

You may drive once you stop taking narcotic pain medication and you feel capable of driving.

• Make sure your care providers wash their hands before and after your care
• Do not wait until your pain is severe before you ask for pain medication
• Make sure the call button is within reach before medical staff leave the room
• Sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before you stand up to prevent getting dizzy
• Do not get out of bed without help if you feel weak or dizzy

• You have a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• You have shortness of breath or chest pain
• You notice increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pain around your surgical incision
• You notice that your incision is separating or you have infected discharge from your incision
• You have abnormal bleeding from your nose
• You have difficulty breathing through your nose after the packing and tubes are removed
• You have pain that your existing pain medications cannot control

• Take pain and other medications as prescribed
• Do not drive when you are on prescription pain medications
• Do not soak in a bath or go swimming for ten days after your surgery
• Keep your nose clean and dry
• Do not blow your nose as long as advised by your doctor
• Use cold compresses to help reduce swelling on your face
• Keep your head elevated on a pillow when laying down to reduce swelling
• Avoid wearing clothing that is worn by going over your head
• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting as long as your doctor advises
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming normal daily activities
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming sexual activity