Preparing for Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, like all major surgeries, requires a great deal of preparation. There are several issues that need to be addressed prior to nose surgery in Miami, both in and out of the doctor’s office.

Consult with your surgeon before the initial surgery starts and go over crucial factors that may alter, or even disqualify, your operation.

Some issues you may need to address include:

Medical History

As with most surgeries, the doctor will need to review your complete medical history. Past injuries to the nose, nasal obstructions, or previous surgeries will all factor into how and if your procedure should commence. Certain bleeding disorders, hemophilia for example, can disqualify a potential candidate from rhinoplasty. Even medications not necessarily related to nasal issues can alter the decision for surgery.

A Physical Exam

The doctor usually administers a complete physical, which includes blood tests and lab results. Additionally, the patient’s facial surface, along with the external and internal facets of the nose, are examined. Physical features, such as epidermal thickness and cartilage strength, can alter the desired results if left unchecked. Breathing patterns are also examined to determine any impact on respiratory functions.

Prep Photos

Your doctor, or more likely a qualified member of their practice, will take pictures of your nose prior to the operation. The photos are taken from several different angles and positions. Surgeons often use software to alter these pictures for the purpose of displaying possible results to patients. The photographs are also used for before/after assessments, surgical reference, and post-surgery reviews.

Surgical Expectations

A detailed discussion about why you want rhinoplasty and what your expectations are should always precede the surgery. Physicians should clarify feasible goals to expect from the surgery for patients. More importantly, they should inform them of what is not possible from the procedure. In turn, the patient must be completely transparent with the doctor regarding their hopes and fears to assure all aspects of the surgery’s potential are covered.

Once a decision is made and the rhinoplasty surgery is scheduled, you will need to make a few preparations for before and after the procedure.

Be sure to complete the following before your surgery date:

• Plan to have someone transport you from the medical facility if you are having outpatient surgery.
• Try to arrange for someone to act as a caretaker for the first couple of days after rhinoplasty due to anesthesia effects. Patients often experience lapses of memory, impaired judgement, and slower than normal reaction times.
• Steer clear of any medication that contains ibuprofen or aspirin for a few weeks before and after the procedure. Some medications, prescription or over-the-counter, can produce excess bleeding in certain patients.
• Lastly, consider giving up smoking if you do smoke. Inhaling smoke of any kind makes the healing process more difficult and can increase your chances of developing an infection.

Following the guide above will prepare you for all possible rhinoplasty (nose surgery) outcomes. Remember to consult with your physician before scheduling the procedure to determine any mitigating factors that may prevent the operation. Additionally, organize your personal affairs for a few weeks before and after surgery. If you have any doubts or questions, don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon.