Do’s
Do pick the right surgeon. Board certification is frequently mentioned as an important qualification, and it is, but it should be the bare minimum. Rhinoplasty is a challenging operation that requires extensive experience because every single nose is different. I would recommend a surgeon who performs a high volume of rhinoplasty cases, at least 3-6 per week. Surgeons who perform rhinoplasty regularly will be more experienced with the challenges that may come up during your case and will be able to provide more consistent results.
Do ask questions during your consultation. All surgeons should be willing to answer questions on volume of procedures they perform and show you hundreds of before and after photos from real rhinoplasty patients.
It is also important to make sure reviews and recommendations from friends or family are for rhinoplasty specifically. A frequent complaint I hear from revision patients who regret their initial decision for a surgeon is that they were recommended to that surgeon by a friend or family member who had different procedure done by them. Rhinoplasty is a much different surgery than breast and body surgery and the skills and experience required for an excellent rhinoplasty outcome are not the same.
Do discuss nasal breathing with your surgeon and go over any history of allergies, snoring, sleep apnea, or sinus disease. Rhinoplasty is unique in the sense that form and functional are equally important. The nose must look beautiful and breathe well for an ideal outcome. Some surgeons do not routinely address the septum, sinuses or turbinates during a rhinoplasty and mild preoperative nasal obstruction can become more severe after surgery. I see this commonly. This why I address all aspects of nasal breathing during every rhinoplasty I perform. Making sure your surgeon is trained to do the same is incredibly important.
Do keep your head elevated as much as possible after surgery — this means sleeping with 2 -3 pillows every night for at least 3 weeks. The elevation of your head will help reduce swelling and speed up recovery.
Do take prescribed pain medication, if necessary, but try to switch from pain meds to Tylenol or ibuprofen as soon as possible. Pain medication can lead to a lot of nausea and constipation during the recovery process.
Do attend all postoperative appointments. It is crucial that you see your surgeon frequently after surgery for a thorough examination. This can prevent any long-term complications and ensures the best outcome possible
Do follow your surgeon’s pre- and post-operative instructions. Take it. Read it. Live it. These instructions are essentially your roadmap to a successful recovery — and there are no shortcuts.
Get plenty of rest
Use ice packs or cold compresses to reduce swelling
Keep the inside of your nose moist and clean with saline spray
Stop taking aspirin or advil 1 week prior to your surgery.