Rhinoplasty Tips

Tips and Traps of Rhinoplasty

As with any surgery, there are things that you want to be aware of before committing to the procedure. This page covers some helpful tips to follow and traps to be aware of when you are interviewing plastic surgeons and deciding whether or not to have the surgery done.

• Know exactly what you want changed and how you want it changed before you see your plastic surgeon. It’s important that you have an idea of what you want the results of your surgery to be. Make a list of the changes you want and be sure to bring the list with you to your consultation visit.
• Avoid any surgeon who downplays the difficulty of having a nose job. This is a difficult procedure and comes with its own list of possible complications. Be weary of any surgeon who says differently.
• The older you are, the more difficult it will be for you to adjust to your new nose. Carefully consider rhinoplasty surgery if you are over 40. People over 40 who have nose jobs tend to think the nose they see in the mirror is attractive, but they don’t think the person they see looks like himself or herself. It can take years before they become accustomed to their new look. The older they are, the longer it takes.
• Avoid all nasal medications for three months before surgery. Many nasal medications can interfere with healing.
• Ask your plastic surgeon if he or she can avoid placing nasal packing in your nose following surgery. Packing is often not necessary and causes significant discomfort while it is in place and upon its removal.
• For the first two weeks following nasal surgery, use a humidifier and nasal saline spray to keep your nasal passages moist and comfortable.
• Sleep in a recliner or with your head elevated on pillows for the first several days to minimize swelling. Frequent application of ice is also important to help with swelling.
• Understand that there is a 20% chance you will want or need revision rhinoplasty surgery. This is because plastic surgery of the nose is difficult and your nose can also change in ways that cannot be predicted following surgery. You must accept this risk before having cosmetic nose surgery and discuss the possibility with your surgeon before you even commit to the surgery.
• If you require revision surgery, wait at least one year from the date of your last nasal operation. If revision surgery is performed sooner, it will be less likely to accomplish your desired result.
• Understand that revision nose surgery is MORE difficult than the original nose job. If you need revision surgery, see someone who has significant experience in this which could mean seeking a different surgeon, or making sure that your surgeon is experienced in revision surgeries.