If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of nose surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before nose surgery.

Our staff will advise you and provide additional rhinoplasty preoperative instructions.

Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after nose surgery and to stay with you at least the first night following nose surgery.

Your rhinoplasty is performed in our office based surgical facility. Medications are administered for your comfort during the rhinoplasty procedure so that you will have no pain or discomfort. For your safety during the rhinoplasty operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When your nose surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. A splint is placed on the bridge of your nose for the purpose of holding the tissues in place until they have stabilized. The splint will protect your nose while you sleep and shield it from accidental bumps. Frequently, you may also have a small triangular bandage beneath the tip of your nose.

It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes to recover from nose surgery varies greatly among individuals.

The first couple of days after nose surgery, you should rest, restrict your activities, and sleep with your head elevated. This will help to minimize swelling and reduce the possibility of minor bleeding, which is not uncommon. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications.

Generally bruising around the eyes and cheeks is most apparent during the first three days following nose surgery. Most discoloration will disappear within a week. A few days after your rhinoplasty surgery, you can begin to use makeup as a concealer, if desired. Noticeable swelling may last for two weeks. Minor residual swelling, most frequently affecting the nasal tip, may continue for many months, but generally this should not be apparent to others. You may need to continue wearing the nasal splint for up to a week. Showers may be taken immediately after nose surgery.

You should avoid straining, bending, and lifting during the early rhinoplasty postoperative period. In many instances, you may be able to return or work within a few days after nose surgery. Most normal activities including exercise can usually be resumed within two weeks.

It will be a few months before you can expose your reshaped nose to direct sunlight. Your nose will be sensitive during this time and you must be conscientious about using a sunblock to protect your skin. If the bones of your nose were altered, it may be two weeks before you can wear glasses without special support such as tape.

Keep your head elevated during the day, and sleep with two pillows at night.