Are you considering altering your facial features with nasal surgery? Here is our list of what to expect before and after this popular surgery.
Everything You Need To Know Before Nasal Surgery
There are many benefits of nasal surgery, depending on your goals. Suppose you’re unhappy with the look or functionality of your nose and are looking to change it. In that case, nasal surgery may be an excellent option for you. You should know a few things to help you consider whether a “nose job” is right for you and what to expect if you do go through with this cosmetic procedure. Some possible benefits include:
- Nose slimming for a more narrow nasal bridge
- Reducing bumps for a more slight portfolio
- Slimming a bulbous tip of the nose
- Improved breathing, which can improve sleep and exercise
Customized “Nose Job” Surgery at Our Kelowna Private Hospital
At our Kelowna private hospital, our team of board-certified plastic surgeons has years of experience and training in a range of cosmetic surgery procedures, including face, breast, and body contouring surgeries. Whatever your needs, we can create a customized treatment plan that will give you the safest and most satisfactory results.
Before Surgery: A Personalized Assessment To Talk About Your Rhinoplasty Goals
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to nasal surgery, and what looks good on one person’s facial structure may not suit you or be possible based on the design of your unique nose. An assessment is a critical opportunity to discuss your nose goals and whether surgery will give you the nose job results you are looking for. When determining if you are a possible candidate for a successful operation, we will request bloodwork and/or an ECG if you’re over 50 years of age.
Leading Up To Surgery
How you prepare for your surgery can really influence the ease of your recovery. There are certain things you can do to prepare beforehand to not only help your operation go smoothly, but you will thank yourself for in the next coming days and weeks.
The week leading up to surgery, you’ll want to consider arrangements and needs that take some time to coordinate, such as
- Child or pet care
- A ride to and from surgery
- Someone to take care of you for the first day after surgery, such as a friend, partner or family member
- Groceries and/or Meal Prep
- Take time off work
- Pulling out some clothing options that zip or button in the front to avoid pulling over your nose
You’ll also want to avoid:
- Alcohol
- Over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin (Tylenol is OK)
- Hard workouts that will leave you sore
- Smoking (or at least cutting down)
- Certain herbal or health supplements (ask your plastic surgeon which ones are approved)
The Day Before Your Nasal Surgery
The day before surgery, you will want to make sure you do a few key things to prepare for the next day and the days following after surgery. You'll thank yourself if, the day before, you make sure to:
- Wash your hair as you won’t be able to for a few days
- Go to bed early to help your body prepare to heal the day of surgery:
The Day of Surgery
Here are a few crucial tips to ensure your surgery is successful on the day of:
- Don’t wear makeup
- Wear glasses over contacts
- Take out any jewellery beforehand.
- Most importantly: Don’t consume any beverages(even water) or food for 8 hours before your surgery time; this is crucial for your safety. When under anesthetic, your entire body is relaxed, including your stomach, chest and lungs. Usually, your body doesn’t relax and let food or liquids flow out of your stomach. If food went into your throat or lungs, you would normally cough; however, your muscles will be passive during surgery, so the contents may enter into your lungs.
Recovery
Since you’ve prepared the week before, now you can just relax and recover. Remember to avoid showering for the first few days, put on some comfy pyjamas, and avoid a few things like wearing sunglasses or glasses, which sit on the nose bridge, salty foods that cause water retention, alcohol, smoking, ibuprofen or aspirin.
Make sure to keep your head elevated and avoid sleeping on your side. Your plastic surgeon will recommend using ice around the nose and cheek area (not directly on the nose) to reduce swelling for the first 72 hours. If it’s summertime in Kelowna, you will want to stay in the shade and avoid the heat to reduce swelling. Even in the off-season months, avoid hot showers, coffee, tea, or soup.
Remember: Don’t Blow it. That is to say, don’t blow your nose for six weeks and opt for a nasal spray to gently rid congestion, which is to be expected.
Longterm Recovery From Nasal Surgery
Recovery from Rhinoplasty can take months to a year; however, following these tips and any advice your cosmetic surgeon gives you will speed up the healing period. If you notice any concerning signs such as fever, chills, radiating heat from the area, nausea, red lines sprawling around your nose or pus/drainage, make sure to contact your plastic surgeon right away as these could be signs of infection, and you should seek medical attention.
We Make Your Nose Our business at Okanagan Health Surgical
If nasal surgery is something you are considering, contact our Okanagan plastic surgery clinic for an assessment. To find out more about the costs and benefits of nasal surgery and how our team of board-certified plastic surgeons can create a fully customized treatment plan to help you reach all your aesthetic goals, contact our Kelowna private hospital at 250-868-9799 or fill in our online contact form.
FAQ's
How Long Is the Recovery Timeline for Nasal Surgery?
You should be able to remove your splint in about 1-2 weeks, and the swelling should subside substantially after about a month. Your nose will continue to reduce swelling and finally settle by a year.
How Painful is Nasal Surgery?
Most patients report low to mild pain, which can be easily mitigated with Tylenol or prescription pain medications.
Are Rhinoplasty Results Permanent?
Nasal surgery results are permanent; therefore, it is crucial to go through an in-depth consultation to discuss your desired results with your plastic surgeon. Correction surgery tends to be a higher risk due to scar tissue. Still, it may be an option if you're unsatisfied with your results after a year. As we age, our noses tend to grow slightly and change, although not a noticeable or drastic amount.
