What Happens before Rhinoplasty and How to Prepare for the Procedure

It is pretty normal to feel nervous before having any serious surgical procedure, rhinoplasty is no exception. In fact, you may be even more nervous, because people are usually afraid of changes. Rhinoplasty is usually done to finetune and improve the appearance of a nose in a way that enhances someone’s overall beauty. So people considering a nose job are often concerned if this will end well and what they should do before undergoing the surgery to make it go as well as they expect. Numerous questions may come to your mind. And this is not bad. Actually, you’ve probably heard the famous quote: “Knowledge is power”.

Well, although Francis Bacon didn’t exactly mean the what to do before rhinoplasty kind of knowledge, that sentence could very well work here. The better informed you are about the procedure and what it takes, the more prepared and less stressed you’ll be. And you can go for the rhinoplasty with full confidence and expect the best result possible.

There are always plenty of instructions about what to do after a nose job, but preparation guides may be rare. So, here's a guide to everything you need to know before undergoing rhinoplasty. And that’s especially important because you’ll get a clear idea of what you’ll be through way ahead of time. Probably even before making your appointment. Isn’t it amazing? So, let’s get empowered.

Key Points for Rhinoplasty Prepration

Here’s a quick review of what you’ll go through and what you should do before rhinoplasty.

Steps:

• Medical consultation and examination
• Photodocumentation

What you should do:

• Stay away from specific medications
• Stay away from alcohol and smoking
• Fast before the surgery
• Don’t wear makeup
• Take a shower the day before but don’t shave
• Have someone stay with you and arrange everything beforehand

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Getting Ready for Rhinoplasty: Tests and Examination

Tick tock, tick tock! You’re getting closer and closer to the big day and you’re probably bursting with excitement for the amazing changes awaiting you. But I understand that you may be very anxious as well. You’re going to have surgery, it may be scary but it’s gonna be a dramatic level up in your facial aesthetics for a lifetime, probably something you’ve always wanted but can’t help to overcome your fear of the unknown. How is it gonna be? What is the first step? What should I do?

Well, before anything, you’re gonna need the doctor’s consultation, examination, and some tests. Keep reading and we’ll get to that.

Pre-op Consultation and Examination

Your doctor’s visit will come with some regular consultation and examination. Before deciding if you’re a good candidate for rhinoplasty, your surgeon needs to know about your health condition and medical history. Certain background diseases may lead to complications in case you undergo nose surgery while some others may only make you require special care during or after surgery. Anyway, it is very important for the surgeon to examine your health and know about your history of nasal obstruction, surgeries, and other medical conditions. 

Physical Examination

• Physical examination is an important step before undergoing a nose job as it can directly determine your rhinoplasty plan and outcome.

• The surgeon thoroughly examines your nose's appearance and structure by checking its skin thickness, the irregularities in the bone or cartilage, nasal valves, and sebaceous glands.

• Moreover, the surgeon examines your breathing to discover whether you breathe through the mouth or nose which is an essential thing in your surgical plan.

• Both palpation and visual analysis are used to gather this information.

• Measuring your height, weight, and blood pressure are other pre-rhinoplasty examinations.

Preoperative Photography

High-quality photo-documentation of the nose from different angles and without any make-up and accessories like glasses is essential before rhinoplasty. Photos must be taken in a frontal view, right and left lateral views, right and left three-quarters oblique views, basal views, and a smiling view

Not only do they help with a better assessment after the procedure but could also help the surgeon during the procedure to have a clear idea of the nose shape and expected results. Moreover, the photos could be used to better discuss your goals and expectations as your surgeon can make changes to your images using computer software to show you the potential results of your nose job based on your preferences and your nose structure. This could be a very important pre-operative consultation session where you can thoroughly discuss all your needs and expectations as well as functional issues bothering you such as breathing difficulties, a deviated septum, etc.

Pre-operative Tests

There are certain tests that must be done before the surgery. In your pre-operative visit, your surgeon will ask you to do the necessary tests and checkups. The following are some routine tests you must do before your rhinoplasty.
 

Blood Test

A blood test, simply done by extracting your blood sample from your vein through a needle, is a very common test that is done before the surgery results of which let your doctor check your overall health and figure out if you suffer from any infection, anemia, a blood-clotting disorder, etc. Here are the factors checked in your pre-operative blood test:

• FBS shows the level of blood sugar
• CBC.diff helps with diagnosing anemia
• PT & PTT helps with diagnosing probable bleeding or inappropriate blood clots
• HIV
• Hepatitis

However, your doctor may also recommend some other tests based on your blood test results and your health condition such as an X-ray, Electrocardiography (EGC), CT-Scan, and β-HCG to check your lungs, heart, inside the nose, and pregnancy (for women), respectively.

• Chest X-Ray may be required for checking your lungs' condition and how they would react to anesthesia in case you’re a smoker or suffer from respiratory disorders. Your surgery may be postponed or canceled in case of pneumonia or certain respiratory diseases.
• Electrocardiography (EGC) is a medical test checking heart rate which is usually recommended for rhinoplasty patients who are 40 or older to determine if they have had any unknown heart attack and define the stress threshold the patient can stand regarding the surgery
• CT-Scan. Your doctor may also ask for a CT scan to check inside your nose. A CT scan can reveal sinus infections, polyps, or septum deviation and help your doctor detect those issues before the surgery which could be very helpful depending on the purpose of your surgery. Such nasal issues could be usually treated at the same time the cosmetic rhinoplasty is done.
• β-HCG (pregnancy test) is only prescribed for women who wonder if they’re pregnant before the surgery. You probably have to postpone your surgery if you are pregnant.

Psychological Examination

Along with your physical examination to check up on your health state, a psychological evaluation may be necessary, especially if you’re too obsessed with your appearance.

American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) considers psychological testing an important step prior to plastic surgeries, rhinoplasty included. Since in some cases, an obsession with appearance may have led patients to consider their minor imperfections or even a normal body/facial feature a disaster and exaggerate their flaws.

Patients obsessd with appearance might have even gone through several surgeries and still look for surgical solutions with other surgeons to an almost non-existent problem. A psychological intervention could be very effective in such cases to help the patients come to peace with themselves and embrace their appearance without resorting to cosmetic surgeries.

Rhinoplasty Preparation Tips

Well, we reviewed the tests and examinations you’ll go through before undergoing the surgery, just to give you an idea of what happens in your pre-operative visits and what the steps are. They’re mostly done and analyzed by your doctor and laboratories and you’ll just follow the steps.

But can you do something to better prepare yourself for the procedure? To help smooth your surgery? And to positively affect your rhinoplasty outcome? Yes, and here’s the guide. Let’s review a complete guide of dos and don’ts before a nose job for the best possible result.

Cut out NSAIDs and Vitamine E

You definitely know that each medication may come with some side effects which can be troublesome in some conditions like when concurring with another intervention such as surgery. While non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) are commonly used to reduce pain, inflammation, and temperature, they can also thin the blood which may be fine in normal situations but not when you have a serious surgery ahead. This is also true about vitamin E, fish oil, and some herbal supplements. The blood thinning effect of such medications may lead to excessive bleeding during the surgery which is why you should stay away from them two weeks before your rhinoplasty. Make sure you consult your doctor about your medications weeks before the surgery and only take those approved by your doctor. 

Stay away from Smoking

When it comes to smoking effects, it doesn’t matter if you’re an active or a passive smoker. Nicotine can bring about serious complications during and after your surgery. Therefore, you should stop smoking or being exposed to it from 2-3 weeks before the surgery. Carbon dioxide and nicotine negatively affect your blood vessels and limit the oxygen delivery to your organs which can complicate the surgery and lengthen recovery. Nicotine also increases the risk of skin loss, scarring, infection, and anesthesia complications. While it is always better to stay away from smoking as long as possible, make sure you start following this rule at least 2-3 weeks before the surgery.

Stop Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol is another factor that can complicate your procedure and recovery. It would be very beneficial to stay away from alcohol for at least one week before the surgery. Of course, the longer you avoid alcohol, the smoother surgery and recovery are awaiting you. Alcohol has blood thinning effects and can increase the risk of uncontrolled bleeding during the surgery or lead to anesthesia risks.

Eat Enough Proteins

You must not be neglectful of your diet before rhinoplasty as it can considerably affect your nose job journey. 

Make sure you start eating foods rich in proteins such as eggs, meat, soy, and chicken 3 weeks before the surgery.  Protein is a superhero when it comes to healing so taking enough protein will help you experience a smooth recovery and overcome the surgery trauma in a shorter time.

Prepare for Fasting before the Surgery

Patients are usually asked to fast before any surgery involving anesthesia. Since during anesthesia, your body may lose control over the contents of the stomach and they may find their way to your lungs and cause breathing problems. Therefore, undergoing surgery with an empty stomach is much safer which is why you’ll be asked to refrain from eating or drinking since the midnight prior to your rhinoplasty. 

Also Read: Fasting Before Surgery: What Are The Reasons?

Take a Shower the Night Before

To minimize the risk of infections, take a shower the night before your rhinoplasty surgery using an antiseptic or any soap your doctor may recommend removing bacteria. Keep your skin clean and avoid using perfumes, lotions, and creams after the shower.

Avoid shaving the day before surgery

Shaving could hurt your skin at a microscopic level, causing tiny cuts that are capable of increasing the risk of infections during the surgery. Therefore, you’d better shave the surgical area which includes a mustache in men two or three days before the surgery. 

No Make-up and Jewelry

As you prepare to head to the hospital for your surgery, make sure you’re not wearing any makeup, nail polish, or even hair products. They could make it difficult for the doctor to detect hypoxemia which is a low level of oxygen in the blood.

Moreover, contact lenses and jewelry must be removed either, as they can provide a place for bacteria and increase the risk of infection during the surgery.

Consider Your Allergy

Seasonal allergies can complicate your healing process and postoperative care. So, if you happen to suffer from seasonal allergies, you’d better postpone your rhinoplasty surgery to a season when you feel more comfortable and experience fewer symptoms. 

Plan Ahead

There are certain things you should think ahead and arrange before going to the hospital for your surgery.

Have someone to accompany you after your rhinoplasty surgery, since you won’t be allowed to leave on your own or drive right after your procedure. 

If you’re doing your surgery somewhere out of your town, you’d better book your hotel, medical appointments, and flight beforehand.

Also Read: Top 11 Destinations for an Ideal Nose Job

Last Word

There’s no harm in equipping yourself with information before undergoing rhinoplasty. The more you know, the more prepared you’ll undergo your surgery which means less anxiety, a better procedure, and a smoother recovery. So feel free to also ask about others’ experiences and make sure you take heed of your surgeon’s advice and carefully follow them to give yourself the best possible outcome.