Rhinoplasty (nose job) patients at The Palm Beach Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery are carefully instructed on important steps to take prior to their procedure to maximize comfort, safety and results. Here’s how you should prep for rhinoplasty surgery.
Two weeks prior to rhinoplasty surgery:
Do not take any products containing aspirin, ibuprofen (eg. Advil, Motrin), or Vitamin E. Check with your pharmacist when taking any over-the-counter medications. Many pain relievers; cold and sinus medications contain aspirin or ibuprofen. If you have a headache or other pain, you may take Tylenol (acetaminophen).
It’s important to refrain from all nicotine products, including cigarettes, pipe tobacco, chew or the patch. Nicotine interferes with healthy circulation and may affect the result of your surgery. It also places you at higher risk of complication when receiving anesthesia.
Start taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C three times per day. Vitamin C will help with the healing process.
You may want to purchase a humidifier as your mouth may feel dry after surgery. It will help you sleep more comfortably.
One week before rhinoplasty surgery:
Do not drink alcohol for one week prior to surgery.
Purchase nasal saline spray. You’ll use this during your recovery.
Two days before rhinoplasty surgery:
Begin taking Arnica Montana. This will help reduce bruising.
Visit your pharmacy and pick up your prescription medication.
The day before rhinoplasty surgery:
The Surgery Center will call you after noon to inform you of your arrival time for surgery.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight (including water and gum chewing). Surgery may be cancelled if this is not followed. A fasting state is required in order to receive sedation for surgery. The only exception is medication, which we will instruct you to take the day of surgery with a sip of water.
Get a good night’s sleep.
Finish all strenuous chores or tasks that involve physical labor as you will not be able to do them during the healing process immediately after surgery.
The day of rhinoplasty surgery:
You may shower and shampoo the morning of surgery. Do not wear makeup, hair sprays or gels, or nail polish. You may leave acrylic nails on.
Avoid clothing that must be pulled over the head. Please wear loose fitting clothing.
Do not wear jewelry of any sort or bring valuables to surgery. Do not wear jewelry of any sort of bring any valuables to surgery. Do not wear jewelry of any sort or bring valuables to surgery. If you are unable to remove your rings, please see your jeweler to have them removed prior to surgery.
Dentures, if worn, should be left in place.
Making personal arrangements prior to rhinoplasty surgery:
Make arrangements at your job in advance to make sure you can take the time off to recover. Typically, you’ll be able to go back to work about a week after your nose job, but speak to your surgeon about your individual timeline prior to requesting time off.
Ask a friend or relative to bring you to and from the surgery site and to stay with you for at least a day or two after the procedure. After the surgery, you’ll be a bit out of it and won’t be able to drive yourself home.
If your destination after surgery is more than 30 minutes away, you should make arrangements to stay in a hotel on the night following surgery. A list of hotels can be obtained from any staff member at The Palm Beach Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery.
Get your home ready in advance. It may be a good idea to set up a resting and recovery area for after the procedure. Set yourself up with a few good books/magazines and queue up some movies or TV shows. Make sure you have everything in one area, along with some bottles of water, saline spray and your medications. With everything in-reach, you’ll be able to recover better.
Prepare cold compresses. Put a few ice packs in your freezer to help with bruising and swelling. Soft commercial ice packs are recommended.
If you don’t have someone who can cook for you, prepare a week’s worth of meals ahead of time and freeze them. Immediately following surgery, it it recommended that you eat soft, nutritious foods (ie: vegetable soup). You should also stock up on soft food snacks like jello, yogurt, pudding and applesauce. Soft fruits like bananas and peaches are also great. Since meat can sometimes be difficult to chew, it might be easier to get your protein through eggs, cheeses or tofu. Avoid sodium as much as possible as salt can increase swelling.
Make sure to have 2-3 pillows on your bed since your head will need to be elevated when you’re sleeping.
Schedule a Consultation
We invite you to visit one of our offices in Jupiter or Palm City for a private rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Azzi. He will take time to understand your goals, and explain what he intends to achieve and how he plans to achieve it.
Dr. Azzi is regarded as one of the best rhinoplasty surgeons, having trained with and worked alongside the world’s finest cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons in New York City. He also has extensive experience abroad reconstructing children with congenital nasal deformities. Dr. Azzi’s patients admire his incredible artist eye and his ability to harmonize the nose with the rest of his patient’s facial features.
The Palm Beach Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery serves local patients in Jupiter, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, West Palm Beach, Tequesta, Hobe Sound, Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Vero Beach and beyond.
Don’t live in South Florida? No problem! People come from all over the world to visit Dr. Azzi for facial plastic surgery. We routinely assist our visiting patients with hotel accommodations, nursing care and even flight arrangements. Contact The Palm Beach Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery, located Jupiter and Palm City Florida, by calling (561) 429-5403 or click here.