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Angie_M
Photos courtesy of Dr. Sam Naficy
Before surgery
Once you've consulted with several board certified plastic surgeons and have decided on a highly qualified doctor who has performed many rhinoplasties, aka nose jobs, you are ready to prepare for surgery.
1. It is important to discontinue the use of any aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and herbal supplements two weeks before and two weeks after your rhinoplasty surgery.
2. Stop smoking for at least two to four weeks before surgery. Nicotine slows healing.
3. Stock up on prescriptions ahead of your surgery date if possible.
4. Make sure you have plenty of lip balm and cool beverages on hand. Your mouth will get very dry from breathing through it.
5. Enlist the help of a relative or friend to help with your first two days and nights post-op. It's great to have support, someone to fetch your beverages and soft foods, and a person to keep track of when you've taken your meds and when you'll need more.
6. Make sure you and your doctor are on the same page about what you want--and don't want--done to your nose. Speak up or you may regret it later. Read our guide on 20 questions to ask at your consultation to be sure you get the right doctor for you.
7. If you are feeling anxious, schedule another appointment with your surgeon to alleviate your fears and ask more questions.
8. Arrange transportation for after your surgery. You will not be able to drive yourself home after rhinoplasty.
9. Do anything strenuous that needs to be done before surgery. You'll want to avoid heavy lifting for at least three weeks post-op.
10. Bring comfortable clothes to wear home. Front-buttoning tops are better than shirts that pull over your head.
Read more about what to expect with a nose job in our rhinoplasty guide.
After surgery
1. Elevate your head while sleeping to decrease swelling.
2. Avoid bumping your nose (watch out for pets, bedmates, and small children), avoid workouts and straining for two weeks, and call your doctor's office with any follow-up questions.
3. A low-salt diet is recommended to help minimize fluid retention in the nasal tip. This type of diet should begin starting the day before surgery.
4. Eat soft foods for the first week or two.
5. After a nose job, don't wear glasses for four weeks. If you wear glasses, then you can tape them to your forehead or use some sort of cushion like foam to wedge in-between your glasses and nose. This will allow you to wear your glasses but not disrupt your nose from healing.
6. Wear sunscreen and hats for several months after surgery to promote healing and prevent swelling.
7. Ask your doctor how to best handle blowing your nose, congestion, or any other nose-related issues that may emerge.
8. If you're experiencing pain, stay on top of your medication schedule. If you let the pain escalate, it can be difficult to get it under control again.
9. If you feel sleepy, take a nap. Sleeping promotes healing, so take advantage of it any time you can.
10. Keep in mind that swelling can take weeks, months, even a year or two to totally subside. What you see in the beginning, is not how you will look once you are healed.
See more amazing rhinoplasty transformations with 10 of our most popular before & after photos from RealSelf members.
View popular Rhinoplasty videos
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