Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)

Rhinoplasty can help patients breathe better, feminize the nose, straighten one’s features, or balance out a face. It can be one of the most impactful operations on a patient’s looks. Here is what to expect before and after this procedure with Dr. James Lee.

Before Surgery

You do not need to do much special preparation for rhinoplasty. However, before surgery you should:

  • Remove any and all piercings
  • Remove any eyelash extensions
  • Stop electrolysis 2 weeks before surgery
  • Stop topical retinoids 2 weeks before surgery (6 months for oral retinoids like Accutane)
  • Stop chronic afrin use at least 2 weeks before surgery
  • Stop nicotine and marijuana products 3 months before surgery
  • Eat a well-rounded diet including vitamins and protein

After Surgery

Expect that there will be significant bruising and swelling after surgery. Recovery will look something like this:

  • Week 1 after surgery: You will be swollen and uncomfortable. The nose may feel sore. It may also be clogged and leak blood intermittently. Your throat may be hoarse due to the breathing tube from anesthesia. The sutures will be removed 5-7 days after surgery.
  • Week 1 you should: take tylenol and ibuprofen alternating every 3 hours and take breakthrough narcotic pain medication if those medications are not enough. Take a stool softener to help with constipation if you take the narcotic pain medication. Keep your head elevated as much as possible, even when you are sleeping (this will help with the swelling). Walk around normally to prevent blood clots but avoid strenuous activity that elevates your heart rate or blood pressure. Change the drip pad under your nose as needed when blood soaks it. Breathe out of your mouth while your nose is clogged. Keep your nose splint dry. Use nasal saline as needed to help clear the nostrils.
  • Week 2 after surgery: The swelling starts to improve little by little every day. Pain should be much improved and most patients stop taking narcotic pain medication in the first week. Sensation may start to return on parts of the nose. The frequency of nasal drippage slowly decreases. At times the nose may breathe clearer.
  • Week 2 you should: Take tylenol or ibuprofen for pain control as needed. Continue keeping the nose splint dry until it is removed. Any nasal splint or stent inside the nose will be removed around 2 weeks after surgery. After the stent inside your nose (if any) is removed, you will breathe better but this may worsen temporarily as swelling sets in. Use nasal saline daily to help clear out the nostrils. Continue keeping the head elevated at all times.
  • Months 1-3 after surgery: Most of the swelling is resolved but may be worse in the morning if you are sleeping without elevating your head. You may start to get sensation back in parts of the nose. The nose will slowly stop producing so much mucous or blood. The clots and scabs in the nose can intermittently block the airway. The tip of the nose will be swollen and hard. This improves over the course of 12 months after surgery.
  • Months 1-3 you should: Apply diligent sun protection on the scar under the nose. Use at least SPF 30 sunscreen on the scar when there is UV exposure and reapply every 2 hours you are in the sun. Starting 1 month after surgery you may exercise normally but avoid putting your head down on gravity and avoid trauma to the face. Continue to use nasal saline to help clear out the nostrils when they get blocked.
  • Months 3-12 after surgery: The scar will continue to fade little by little until 12 months after surgery. Sensation will slowly return to the tip of the nose over time. The nasal tip will soften and show more definition over 12 months.
  • Months 3-12 you should: Continue applying diligent sun protection to the scar for up to 12 months after surgery. You may exercise and do all your normal activity starting 3 months after surgery. Continue to avoid trauma to the face.

Why Choose Dr. James Lee for Rhinoplasty Surgery?

Choosing the right surgeon for nose surgery is incredibly important because the first rhinoplasty for a patient is their best chance at getting the nose of their dreams. A great rhinoplasty surgeon benefits from advanced knowledge of nasal anatomy, an aesthetic eye, great experience, and unrelenting technical precision.

Contact our office today to begin your journey.