Perhaps no feature has more power to affect the appearance of the face than the nose. When a nose is out of proportion with the rest of the features, the issue can be corrected with rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping surgery. This surgery allows STARS Plastic Surgeons to manipulate the nose’s bone, cartilage and tissue to enhance the nose to better complement the rest of the face. While this surgery is most often completed for cosmetic reasons, it can be done for medical reasons, such as a deviated septum, which can affect breathing.
Issues such as noses that are too wide can be addressed, as well as disproportionate nostrils, bumps or hooks and refining the nose’s tip. Since this surgery is so transformative, the cosmetic surgeons will hold a thorough consultation with the patient to meet his or her goals.
Additional information
Surgeons
Dr. Edward Gronet, Dr. Michael Davis, Dr. Rodney Chan, Dr. Shari Lawson
Rhinoplasty
Closed Technique, Open Technique, Extensive Technique
Prepare for Surgery
Check out the following videos as you prepare for your operation.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
QUESTION: How should you prepare for your upcoming operation?
Whether you are looking to educate yourself about having a procedure or you have already scheduled an operation with us, I will highlight some important information to remember as you prepare for surgery. (As a side note, this information is specific to our practice and if you are having your operation done elsewhere, please follow your surgeon’s specific instructions.)
INTRODUCTION: I’m Dr. Rodney Chan and I’m a STARS Plastic Surgeon in San Antonio TX.
The information that I’m sharing with you today applies if I’m your surgeon or if your surgeon is Dr. Davis, Dr. Gronet, Dr. Kunasz or Dr. O’Toole. We have all agreed that this content is important for you to follow to maximize your safety and the outcomes of your operation. (Sometimes, certain surgeons will have specific preferences and I’ll include that in here as well.)
Do not take products containing aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for 1 week prior and for 1 weeks after your operation. Many medications contain these compounds which are known to prolong bleeding. It is safest to take only Tylenol® for aches and pains prior to your operation. The same applies to supplements containing Vitamin E or red wine. Certain prescription medications purposely thin your blood and should also be stopped 1 week prior to surgery as well but be sure to let your prescribing doctors know and agree that it is safe for you to stop them. I have listed a few common ones here such as coumadin, lovenox, plavix, eliquis, xarelto, pradaxa but there are many others.
In preparation for surgery, you may be asked to visit with your primary care doctors or heart doctor to obtain a note indicating that you are safe to undergo surgery. You may also be notified by our office to have blood drawn for lab tests, EKG or a chest X-ray.
Your prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy ahead of time after your pre-operative visit. It will usually include a pain medication, an antibiotic and sometimes other medications that will ease your recovery. You should fill these prior to your operation, follow the instructions for when to take them and bring them with you on the day of your operation.
Please arrange for a friend or family member to stay with you for the first 24-48 hours following your surgery and someone staying with you or at least live close enough to check in on you for the first five days.
Be aware that you will not be able to fly for two weeks following your operation and please plan accordingly.
If you are having general anesthesia or conscious sedation for your procedure, please be sure to stop eating or drinking after midnight. If you take medications especially for blood pressure or blood sugars, please continue taking them on your regular schedule with a sip of water.
On the day of your operation:
Do not wear makeup, contact lenses or jewelry.
Do not use hairspray, gel or mousse.
Please keep your valuables at home.
Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to get in and out of. Wear a shirt that buttons down the front. That’s so that it is easier for us to get you back into it before you leave.
If you are a female, when you first arrive at the surgery facility, you will be asked to give a urine sample – try to hold off from going to the bathroom until you arrive.
Thanks for joining me today. I hope you find this video helpful in your surgical journey with us. For more details about what to expect on the day of your operation from arrival to recovery, you can find that on our website or our youtube channel. if you don’t find what you are looking for, leave us a comment and that maybe our next video.
Post-op Instructions
Check out the following video for after care instructions after your rhinoplasty operation.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Post-operative Instructions
QUESTION: What are the post-operative instructions after a rhinoplasty operation?
Whether you are looking to educate yourself about having this procedure or you have already scheduled an operation with us, I will highlight some important information to remember as you embark on your surgical journey. (As a side note, this information is specific to our practice and if you are having your operation done elsewhere, please follow your surgeon’s specific instructions.)
INTRODUCTION: I’m Dr. Rodney Chan and I’m a STARS Plastic Surgeon in San Antonio TX.
The information that I’m sharing with you today applies if I’m your surgeon or if your surgeon is Dr. Davis, or Dr. Gronet. We have all agreed that following these post-operative instructions is important to optimize the outcomes of your rhinoplasty operation. (Sometimes, certain surgeons will have specific preferences and I’ll include that in here as well.) I will first go through some general instructions followed by care of the surgical site, any restrictions on bathing or activities, and ending with expectations and follow up visits. This information is also in print if you prefer to see it that way.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Use the pain medication that is prescribed when you are feeling uncomfortable. Constipation can be an issue with the use of any narcotic pain medications and we recommend taking a stool softener at the same time or using prune juice from the grocery aisle.
You will be able to drive after one week. Be aware that pain medications cause drowsiness and should not be taken for a few hours if you are planning on driving.
An occasional complaint after an operation involving general anesthesia is nausea. Taking pain medications on an empty stomach will make this worse if you are prone to this problem. This will generally pass within 24-48 hours. It is important that you drink liquids frequently after your operation.
CARE OF SURGICAL SITE – RHINOPLASTY
After your operation, you will wake up with a splint and tapes on your nose. Do not touch the splint or tapes and do not get them wet.
You will have a bandage at the base of your nose to collect drainage. You will be shown how to change this bandage before you leave the recovery room. The drainage from the nose usually stops after 48-72 hours.
After 2-3 days your nose will not be as wet and may actually start to get dry inside. This is when you can start to use the saline nasal spray that you obtained before the operation. Squirt the spray into your nose and allow it to drip out. Have a Kleenex in your hand when you do this to lessen the chance of making a mess.
Your nose will feel stuffy when you wake up and it is not unusual that that lasts for 2-3 weeks.
For the first 7 days, to decrease any swelling, sleep with your head elevated on several pillows.
A rhinoplasty operation is quite delicate and there are a few precautions we’d like you to take to make sure that everything heals in the correct place. It should be obvious that you do not want to put anything in your nose. Do not blow your nose for three weeks. And for three weeks, sneeze with an open mouth. Don’t rub your nose for 6 weeks.
We’d prefer that you not let heavy glasses rest on the bridge of your nose for 2 weeks, especially if your surgeon had to reset the nasal bone as a part of your operation. Wear contacts if possible but if you absolutely need glasses to see, use your lightest pair so as not to cause an indent on the skin.
BATHE/SHOWER
On the first day after your operation, you may gently wash your face by patting it with a face cloth. Brushing your teeth is ok but do it gently.
You will not be able to shower until the splint and tapes are removed from your nose by your surgeon. Until then you may accumulate some “crusts around your nostrils. We have a separate video to show you how to gently cleanse this area with a Q-tip and a dilute mixture of hydrogen peroxide. [Gentle cleansing of this area can be accomplished with Q-tip moistened with a 50% hydrogen peroxide solution, (hydrogen peroxide and water mixed 50/50). Clean your nostrils like this 2-3 times a day. Only clean the nostril opening and don’t put the Q-tip any further in than the head of the Q-tip. After cleaning apply some bacitracin ointment around the nostril opening with a Q-tip.]
You will be able to wear makeup 2 weeks after your operation.
ACTIVITIES
For the first 48 hours, we mostly recommend resting. You may get up to use the bathroom or to take a light walk around the house. Exercise caution in your home and be careful with tasks such as climbing stairs when you are taking pain medications.
It will be at least 2 weeks before you can begin light exercise such as: walking or using a stationary bike.
Heavy exercise and heavy lifting are not permitted for 6 weeks.
We’d prefer that you do not lean forward for two weeks. If you have to pick something up, bend down with your knees.
Do not chew hard or tough foods for the first week after the operation.
Avoid the sun as much as possible for 6 weeks after your operation. If you have to be outside, wear a hat, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 for one year after the surgery. Apply the sunscreen to your face and directly over the scars. It is recommended of course that you continue to use sunscreen even after one year.
EXPECTATIONS
You will have bruising and swelling on your nose and below your eyes that will take 2-3 weeks to subside. Numbness in various areas of your nose is common and may persist for several months. Sometimes there is a temporary loss of smell and taste as well.
The final result from rhinoplasty has to be judged six months after surgery and typically not before.
FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS
You will have several follow-up appointments after your rhinoplasty operation. 2. Your first follow-up appointment will be at 1 week. At this time, you will have the splint and tapes removed from your nose. You will be able to shower once the splint and tapes are removed. 3. Your second appointment will be 2-3 weeks later followed by an appointment at 6 months and then a year. 4. We are of course happy to see you more often if there’s a need.
Thanks for joining me today. I hope you find this video helpful in your surgical journey with us. For more details about what to expect on the day of your operation from arrival to recovery, you can find that on our website or our youtube channel. if you don’t find what you are looking for, leave us a comment and that maybe our next video.
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