What to Expect Before and After a Nose Job

Top Macomb County board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has helped hundreds of men and women get the nose they have always dreamed of with nose job surgery. In this article he explains what to expect before and after getting a nose job.

The Consultation Prior to Scheduling Your Nose Job

The first step in the rhinoplasty process for prospective patients begins in the office of an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon for a thorough consultation. Dr. Ali is a board certified plastic surgeon in Macomb County, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons, with extensive experience performing cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, including hundreds of nose jobs.

At your initial consultation, photographs will be taken, and you will have a chance to discuss any concerns you have and exactly what issues you would like the surgery to address. Dr. Ali will also examine your nasal structure for breathing issues. You may be shown a variety of before and after photos for noses that are similar in size and shape to yours, to give you a realistic idea of what is possible.

Preparing Before your Nose Job

Once you have decided and a surgical date is set, it’s time to begin preparations. Like any surgical procedure, preparation is vital to ensure a smooth surgery and recovery. Generally, you will be advised to avoid caffeine, alcohol, certain medications and smoking for up to one month prior to surgery. You may also be given prescriptions for medications that will help decrease post-operative bruising and pain. Because aspirin and ibuprofen can increase bleeding, you should avoid taking any product containing these products for at least two weeks prior to, and two weeks following your surgery.

Arranging for Help Following your Nose Job

Rhinoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis, which means you will go home after a short stay in recovery. You will need to have someone available who can drive you home after your surgery, and it is a good idea for you to arrange for someone to stay with you at least for the first night. Many patients experience minor, short term memory lapses, slowed reaction time and impaired judgment for the first day after the surgery. That’s why it’s helpful to have someone assist you with personal care tasks for the first day or so, until you begin to get back to normal.

Recovery & Downtime After Your Nose Job

After the surgery, you will need to rest in bed with your head elevated higher than your chest, to help reduce bleeding and swelling. You may notice that your nose feels congested because of the swelling, and the splints that you received during surgery may be uncomfortable. It is common to have some slight bleeding and drainage for a few days after the surgery or after removing the dressing.

You should plan on taking at least a week off of work, and depending on the extent of the surgery, possibly even more. You will be sent home with a splint that will be removed after around five to six days, and at that point, you will likely feel comfortable going out in public. During that first week, you will feel progressively better, and usually after the first week, people usually feel pretty much like themselves again. Your actual recovery will depend largely on the type of surgery you have.

Side Effects of a Nose Job

Temporary black-and-blue discoloration of your eyelids may or may not occur for the first week or two following nasal surgery. Everyone bruises and heals differently – and some no jobs are more extensive than others – so individual bruising (if any) varies from patient to patient. After the first few days, any bruising can generally be covered successfully with concealer if desired.

Some swelling will also likely occur. Many patients find that limiting dietary sodium will help the swelling to resolve more quickly. Although there will likely be at least some amount of swelling and bruising after the surgery, pain following rhinoplasty varies from patient to patient. Many patents find that any discomfort can be managed very well with over-the-counter-medications – however Dr. Ali will prescribe stronger medications if necessary to make your recovery as pain-free as possible.

You will be given thorough post-operative instructions. Following these carefully will ensure that your recovery period progresses as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Continued Recovery Following your Nose Job

Though the visible effects of surgery disappear fairly quickly, healing on the inside takes quite a while longer. As a matter of fact, depending on the type and extent of rhinoplasty surgery you have, internal healing can continue for a year or eve longer. This is because the skin has to shrink to fit the new framework. It can take up to a year for the inside of the bridge to heal, and even longer for the tip.

You may be told to avoid strenuous activities for a period of time after surgery. Dr. Ali will tell you when it’s safe to resume activities such as swimming, aerobics or jogging. Take this time to explore another form of exercise that is less strenuous, such as yoga or Pilates, or simply taking walks.

Top Nose Job Surgery – Macomb County

Even small changes to your nose can make a large difference in how your nose looks, how it works, and how you feel about your overall appearance. Dr. Ali is committed to working closely with you from start to finish to get the results that you will be 100% satisfied with.

When planning your nose job, Dr. Ali can evaluate your other facial features and tell you how any changes to your nose could enhance or affect your overall appearance. He will then work with you to customize a surgical plan that will best meet your appearance goals.