Rhinoplasty

After a rhinoplasty you will have a splint on the outside of your nose and sometimes some inside your nose. 

These will be removed about one week after rhinoplasty. You will not usually have any packs in your nose but there will usually be a piece of gauze under the nose which will catch any fluid that may come out of your nose. This should be changed as required. 

The day after the nose surgery you will probably notice some bruising under your eyes. This is normal and should not alarm.

First 1 to 2 Days
You will need a friend or family member to drive you home after surgery, to stay with you for the first 24 hours. 

Sleeping in a sitting or propped up with pillows will help minimize swelling. Some temporary bruising, swelling, and numbness of the nose can be expected. You can use medication prescribed by your plastic surgeon to control discomfort, if needed.

Follow-up Appointment
You will have a follow-up appointment approximately 5 days after surgery.

Return to Work
Patients may return to work or school in 7 to 10 days, but should limit more strenuous activity for 2 to 4 weeks. There will be some swelling present and this will go down with time.

Nose Surgery is a frequently performed and safe procedure. However, no surgery is completely without risks. 

There is a possibility of infection, bleeding, bruising, contour asymmetry, conspicuous scarring, swelling or reaction to anaesthesia. 

A comprehensive list of instructions for surgery preparation and post-operative care will be provided to each patient. These instructions should be followed carefully for the best possible outcome.

Certain over the counter products and prescription medicines can cause complications before and after surgery. Do not take any medication containing or related to aspirin two weeks prior to your procedure. This includes NSAID’S, anti-Inflammatory medications, blood thinning medication. Please see your doctor regarding if and when to cease medication. This is not an all-inclusive list. 

Also avoid Vitamin E supplements and red wine. Stop all herbal medications before surgery. The most common herbs used are Echinacea, Ephedra, Garlic, Ginseng, Ginkgo, Kava, St. John’s Wort, and Valerian. They may adversely affect anaesthetic drugs, prolong bleeding and impair healing after surgery.

Smoking increases the risks of complications significantly and should be ceased 6 to 8 weeks prior to surgery.

In many cases this procedure is not covered by insurance. The cost for nose surgery procedures depends on the complexity of the procedure and will be discuss with you in consultation.