RhinoplastyYorba Linda, CA

What to expect

Here is what you can expect while preparing for rhinoplasty, during and after the surgery.

Preparing for rhinoplasty

Regardless of their reasons, once a person has decided to undergo rhinoplasty, the first thing that they need to do is to schedule an appointment with their plastic surgeon to discuss the procedure. During the meeting, it is important that they let the surgeon know of their concerns their nose and the results they are looking to achieve. If this is the first time a person is undergoing rhinoplasty, they should ask all questions regarding the procedure, how to prepare and what to do after so they are well informed before they proceed.

During the meeting, the plastic surgeon will evaluate the patient’s face and explain how the changes will affect their appearance. The evaluation will also let the surgeon and the patient know if the expectations are realistic or not. The patient’s overall health will also be a factor in determining if the procedure will be possible or not.

To help the patient understand the options that are available to them, the plastic surgeon will take pictures of their face at different angles then use computer software to show the patient the types of results that are possible.

Surgery will be scheduled once the patient and surgeon have gone over the expectations and the surgeon has determined the patient is in good health. The patient will need to bring someone along with them to drive them home following the procedure.

What to expect during surgery

The surgeon will administer local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on the complexity of the surgery and the doctor’s preference, which will be discussed before the procedure begins.

With local anesthesia, the patient will be sedated and their nose will be numbed so they are relaxed and do not feel pain during the surgery. With general anesthesia, the patient will be asleep through the entire operation.

During the surgery, the surgeon will make cuts within the nostrils. In more complex cases, the surgeon may also make cuts on the base of the nose. Once the cuts have been made, the surgeon reshapes the inner bone and cartilage to improve the appearance of the nose.

After the surgery

Once the rhinoplasty has been completed, the surgeon will advise the patient to get some rest and sleep with their head raised higher than their chest to reduce the swelling and bleeding. Patients may experience congestion from the swelling or the splints placed inside the nose during surgery.

The internal dressings will remain in place for anywhere from one to seven days after surgery. The surgeon will also apply a splint to the patient’s nose for protection and support –– this is usually kept in place for about a week.

Bleeding and excess mucus is common for the first few weeks after surgery. If the bleeding or mucus is excessive, the surgeon will place a piece of gauze under the nose to absorb the drainage, and the gauze will need to be replaced as directed by the surgeon.

To reduce the chances of excessive bleeding and swelling after rhinoplasty, the plastic surgeon will advise against doing any of the following:

• Strenuous activities such as aerobics and jogging
• Taking showers while the bandages are still on –– take baths instead
• Blowing of the nose
• Limit salt intake, as it increases fluid retention and can increase swelling during recovery