Rhinoplasty

• Share your health information with your plastic surgeon, remember to mention if you have allergies, nasal injuries, respiratory distress, previous surgeries, use of medications, vitamins or supplements and any other relevant medical information
• Your surgeon will ask you questions about what you would like to improve on your nose, what your expectations are and inform you of what can realistically be achieved.
• The outside and inside of your nose will be examined, taking into account factors such as bone structure, cartilage, skin thickness and the relationship of your nose to your facial structures.
• Photos at different angles will be requested in order to carry out a complete evaluation
• Pre-surgery blood tests will be ordered
• You’ll need to quit smoking completely
• Sometimes a nasal perfilogram will be requested

For patients over 40 years of age or with any added cardiac, respiratory, renal pathology, etc. The following will be requested:

• Chest X-ray
• Cardiological assessment
• Electrocardiogram

🗓️ 1 MONTH BEFORE SURGERY

• Stop smoking 1 month before your scheduled procedure
• Stop taking alcohol 1 week before the procedure
• Avoid using aspirin, fish oil, garlic and omegas, at least 3 weeks before the procedure *if you are medically required to do so, it is very important you let your medical coordinator know about this
• No exercise 3 days before the surgery
• Avoid eating very greasy food 2 days before your surgery
• No skin tanning 2 weeks before the procedure to avoid skin damage
• Plan for your stay in Cancun for surgery and recovery
• Get a suitcase with wheels!!!! Most of the times you won’t be allowed to carry anything heavy for a couple of weeks.

⚠️ The day / night before the surgery you will be requested NOT to EAT or DRINK anything 8 hours before the procedure. This is a very important request that you will have to follow in order to assure your personal safety during the surgery.

There are different variations to what a rhinoplasty can involve. In some cases it will be to correct the size and shape of the nose enhancing the cosmetic look. Other times a nose surgery can also act as a functional surgery to improve airflow.

Anesthesia

Rhinoplasty whether for cosmetic purposes or functional improvement, is done under general anesthesia. This provides the patient the maximum comfort and allows the surgeon to work without any incidents. If the procedure was done while the patient was awake it would be very uncomfortable due to the manipulation and blood that would obstruct the nostrils. General anesthesia is the best option in this case.

Incisions & Sutures

There are two main techniques that are performed during a nose surgery. One with a closed technique the incisions are hidden inside the nostrils. The second option is an open procedure, a small incision across the columella of the nose.

Skin and cartilages can be raised and repositioned to access the inside of the nose.  Then the surgeon proceeds to reduce and reshape bone an cartilage in order to achieve the desired outcome. Some cases may require a cartilage graft, that will be commonly taken from the septum.

After the surgeon is done reshaping the nose, he will close the incisions with very thin sutures to allow minimal scarring

Depending on your needs the surgeon will suggest the best approach.

Right After Surgery

You will be taken into the recovery room to monitor your vital signs and make sure the anesthesia effects have worn out. You will find yourself with a split over your nose and packing inside the nostrils to support and protect the newly re-shaped nose during your healing.

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure, which means that once the anesthesia effects are gone you can go back home.

Before You Leave The Hospital

Around 6 hours after your surgery, the plastic surgeon will assess that you are in good conditions to go back home. You will be given instructions on how to take care of your nose splint, along with a prescription for medication.

Your surgeon will give you a follow up appointment around the 5th to 7th day, to check your healing, remove stitches and change your splint bandage.

After your surgery, you will be prescribed painkillers, antiinflamatories and antibiotics. Your surgeon will leave a hard splint on top of your nose, and a special packing inside your nostrils to maintain the shape of the nose. You will be instructed on how to care for this. After a evaluation, your surgeon will take out the splint and leave a soft splint for 1 more week in order to keep everything in place. It is important you follow your surgeon’s recommendations to obtain good results.

You must take in consideration the following:

• Take your medications as indicated on your post-operative care papers that you will receive before you are discharged from the hospital.
• First follow-up post-surgical appointment will be between the 3rd and 5th day
• Relative rest for 10 days
• No sexual activity for 4 weeks
• You should not exercise or exert yourself in the next 4 weeks
• You will be able to shower after your first office check-up with your doctor
• You should not sunbathe for the next 4 weeks
• You shouldn’t be touching your wounds
• You have to keep the nose splint dry at all times
• You will need to sleep on your back in a semi-sitting position for  at least the following 10 days
• You should not smoke at all
• Remember to keep your head elevated during sleep, at least 45 degrees or with two pillows
• Be very gentle when cleaning the area of your face with wet wipes, as you will not be able to get the splint wet until you are instructed otherwise
• When you can take a full shower, you can let the water run down your eyelids and use mild soaps to clean your face.
• Avoid using creams or makeup on the surgical area for at least 2 weeks
• Although you may feel fine and without any pain, you should avoid exercising for at least 4 weeks to allow the area to heal properly.
• You will not be able to wear eyeglasses during recovery, if necessary you should wear a special tape to avoid putting weight over the nose

⚠️ It is very important that you understand that not following this instructions can ruin the results for your surgery.

For a nose surgery it is usually recommended for the patient to stay 12 days in order to have proper care and medical follow ups with your surgeon. After 2-4 weeks swelling will subside. Although it may take up to 12 months for your new nose contour to have the final result.

Although risks and complications rarely occur during a facelift surgery, they can include:

• Anesthesia complications
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Numbness
• Pain
• Facial nerve injury
• Unfavorable scarring
• Swelling

In order to decrease the risks your surgeon will ask for a series of blood tests and a cardiological evaluation to ensure you are in good health for your procedure.

Following your surgeon’s recommendations will favor a good outcome.