| Patients
must refrain from ingesting medications or substances which could potentially
cause surgical complications. A list of medications should be reviewed and discontinued
at least two weeks prior to the procedure. Report any and all infections which
arise prior to operation, however minor they might seem. This is imperative to
avoid infections during surgery. Antibiotics are prescribed
prior to surgery to reduce the risk of surgical wound infection. You will also
receive prescription for antibiotics and pain medication for after the surgery
is completed. Preoperative
photos will be taken to show your progress. You
will be asked to sign a surgical consent which enumerates the risks of the procedure
in detail. These risks will be explained herein and also at the consultation.
You will need to arrange a
for an escort to drive you to and from our Surgical
center. Patients cannot operate motor vehicles
after surgery. You will need to arrange assistance
of someone for at least 24 hours after surgery. |
Rhinoplasty is commonly performed under a general anesthetic, with intravenous
sedation. Patients are completely unconscious
during most of the procedure.
The procedure usually takes one to two hours,
but on some rare instances may take longer. The
nature of what is done to the nose is dependant
on the patients wants, needs and desires and is
usually discussed during the consultation. The
stitches are self-absorbing and do not require
removal.
Following a brief monitoring period in recovery, you will
be discharged into the company of an adult escort. |
There will be swelling and puffiness during the first 48-72 hours after the
surgery. The bruising commonly associated with
nose surgery usually peaks at 72 hours, becoming
non visible after 7 - 10 days. Ice applied to
the area will help reduce the bruising.
You should only feel pain for the first 24 hours
which will subside to a feeling of pressure and
stuffiness over the next few days. Dr. Parker
advises that you keep your head elevated above
the level of your heart for the first few days
after the procedure. This will help to reduce
swelling. You will have bandages on the nose which
might require regular changing during the first
few days.
In the event you wear eyeglasses, they will
need to be fixed away from the nose. A common
method is to tape the glasses to the forehead.
You may return to work after a week, in the event
your work does not require too much physical activity.
You will not feel entirely normal for a few weeks
and up to a couple months.
A key to recovery is patience. You cannot be hasty in judgment
of your new nose shortly after surgery. The complete healing process can be long
and you will see changes up to the first year or two. | 
Rhinoplasty
