Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery that is performed to reshape, reduce and refine the appearance of the nose. This operation can help you improve your appearance by reducing the size of your nose, making it more proportionate to your face; correcting an injury; or fixing breathing problems.
Rhinoplasty can be performed on adults and children. However, the procedure is not recommended for those under 18 years old who have not finished growing.
Rhinoplasty may be an option if you have a bump on your nose, breathe through only one nostril, have an asymmetrical nose or other nasal deformity, or if you want to change your nose’s overall shape or size.
Before undergoing this procedure, it’s important that you learn more about the procedure itself and what it entails. Here are some tips for getting ready for rhinoplasty:
1. Have Realistic Expectations
When deciding whether or not to have rhinoplasty, it’s important to have realistic expectations about what the procedure can accomplish. While rhinoplasty can help you achieve a more attractive and proportional looking nose, it cannot significantly change the overall structure of your face. If you are unhappy with other aspects of your facial features besides your nose, then rhinoplasty may not be an effective solution for you. Additionally, if you already have an ideal nose shape in mind that does not match up with the natural appearance of your own nose, then this could lead to disappointment after surgery has been performed.
2. Follow Instructions Carefully
The first step in getting better results with rhinoplasty is following instructions carefully. You should follow your doctor’s orders for how long you should rest after surgery and how much pain medication you should take every day. You should also follow his or her instructions for sleeping positions and eating foods that will help aid in your recovery process. If you follow these instructions carefully and don’t try to push yourself too hard, you will be able to recover from this surgery much faster than if you don’t follow the doctor’s orders carefully.
3. Do Your Research
Before scheduling your appointment with a surgeon, take some time to research rhinoplasty in general as well as specific surgeons in your area who perform this type of cosmetic surgery. Ask friends who have had work done by their own doctors if they would recommend them and why they made that choice. Look up reviews online (or even better, visit patient rating sites like HealthGrades) and find out what others have said about their experiences with different doctors before choosing one for yourself.
4. Be honest about what you want and why.
If you’re unhappy with the size or shape of your nose, tell your doctor. You should also be honest about whether or not you’re willing to accept any risks associated with the procedure.
5. Be realistic about the possibility of complications.
Rhinoplasty is surgery on a sensitive area of the body, and there’s always a risk of complications. Some people who’ve had rhinoplasty may need additional surgeries later on if they aren’t happy with how their noses look after recovery from the first operation.
6. Don’t let your job or school schedule affect your treatment plan.
If you’re busy with work or school, you may want to wait until summer break to undergo surgery. This can help you recover without missing too much school or work time while also giving you more time to heal before returning to class or work.
7. Know that recovery is gradual, but worth it.
Your new nose will look different immediately after surgery, but the swelling will continue to go down over a few weeks or months. The final result will be evident about six months after surgery when all the swelling has gone down and any scarring has healed completely (if there was any).
8. Rest, rest and then rest some more.
Rhinoplasty is not just about the aesthetic aspect of your nose. It involves surgical procedures that are invasive and can cause pain, swelling and bruising. In order to avoid complications and minimize the risk of getting an infection, it is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding recovery.
9. If you smoke, stop.
Smoking damages blood vessels, which can make it difficult for your body to heal after surgery. It also increases your risk of infection and slows down your recovery time.
10. Make sure you are healthy.
You will need to be in good health before undergoing rhinoplasty surgery. You should not have any underlying medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, or any current infections or illnesses. If you do have any medical conditions, these may need to be treated prior to having rhinoplasty surgery performed on you.
11. Avoid rhinoplasty if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Rhinoplasty involves making cuts on your nose, which is why it’s best to wait until you’re finished having children before getting the surgery done. If you get pregnant before the cuts have fully healed, the risk for infection increases significantly. Additionally, your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy — including hormone fluctuations — which can make it difficult for your doctor to determine if any complications arise from the surgery. You also shouldn’t undergo any form of anesthesia while breastfeeding as it may be transferred to your baby through breast milk.
12. Be aware that ethnicity may be a factor in your results.
Rhinoplasty isn’t just about making minor adjustments to your existing nose; it involves actual reconstruction of bone structure and cartilage. For example, an Asian person who needs a rhinoplasty procedure might need different techniques than someone who is Caucasian or African-American because their bone structure differs slightly from person to person based on their ethnicity. It’s important for patients to discuss these differences with their surgeons so they know what they’re getting into before undergoing rhinoplasty surgery.
13. Eat Right Before Surgery
Rhinoplasty is major surgery and requires general anesthesia. Before you go under the knife, make sure that your doctor has approved any medications or supplements that you’re taking. Also be sure to eat a healthy meal before surgery so that you don’t feel nauseous afterward from the anesthesia.
14. Avoid excessive exercise for two weeks after surgery.
During this time, avoid strenuous exercise such as running or jogging. This will help reduce swelling, bruising and bleeding in your nose for the first few days after surgery.
15. Don’t expose your incisions to UV rays.
You should not be in direct sunlight until your surgeon clears you for this activity. You may also need a prescription to use sunscreen on your nose and face during recovery.
16. Use caution with aspirin and other painkillers
Aspirin and certain other painkillers can thin your blood, which may cause bleeding during or after surgery. If you take aspirin regularly, ask your doctor about taking an alternative medication before and after surgery.
17. Don’t blow your nose for at least three weeks
This will help give your nose time to heal properly without causing any complications. If you need to sneeze after two weeks post-op, try holding your breath instead of blowing forcefully through your nose.
18. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Many people feel uncomfortable talking about their health, especially when it comes to something as personal as surgery. But if you have questions about your procedure, don’t hesitate to ask them! Your doctor will be happy to answer any concerns you may have.
