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Postoperative Instructions for Patients Undergoing Nasal Surgery
It is extremely hazardous to drive after general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Please arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours.
The effects of anesthesia can remain in your body as long as 24 hours. After surgery, you must plan to rest for 24 hours. Avoid straining and stooping.
Sleeping with the head elevated on two pillows will decrease the amount of bruising and swelling. You should keep ice packs on your eyes for 48 hours, except while sleeping, to help reduce bruising and swelling. Ice packs may consist of crushed ice in a rubber glove or alternating bags of frozen peas from the freezer.
After surgery you may take liquids such as soup, tea, soft drinks, or Jell-O. Gradually progress to a soft diet and then a regular diet over the next 24 hours as tolerated.
Fill your prescriptions and take your post-operative medications as directed. If you should become nauseated or develop a rash, call your plastic surgeon's office. You may resume your regular medications unless your surgeon directs otherwise. However, avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing products for two weeks before and after surgery. Remember, many herbal supplements adversely affect the clotting process and actively cause bruising and bleeding. These should be stopped two weeks before surgery and may be resumed two weeks afterwards. Avoid alcohol until post-operative medications are finished. Plastic surgeons do not recommend taking mega-doses of vitamins in excess of the normal daily requirement (which is more than adequately met by a normal balanced diet). Please discontinue this form of medication for two weeks before and after surgery unless you are being treated for a specific deficiency. One multivitamin tablet per day is permissible, however.
You may have nasal packing in your nose for 24-48 hours after surgery. You will be instructed on how to take care of it. The small white dressing under your nose may require frequent changing during the first 24-48 hours. This dressing may be removed when drainage ceases. You will be given instructions and supplies before you go home. Your nasal splint will be removed in one week. Do not get it wet or allow anyone except a member of your surgeon's staff to remove it.
After the splint is removed, wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Use Q-tips soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide ("full strength") to clean any crusts from around the nostrils. Do not insert the Q-tips into the nose, however.
Avoid strenuous activity for two weeks after surgery. However, walking is encouraged. Do not drive for one week and never drive while taking pain medication. You may wear makeup after checking with your plastic surgeon.
Do not blow your nose until given permission by your plastic surgeon. It is vital that you do not smoke after surgery to avoid respiratory and wound healing complications. Avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen over the suture line when it cannot be avoided.
It is normal to have swelling and numbness, which will subside over several weeks to months. Bruising should disappear in 10 to 14 days. It will take several weeks before you can see the final result. If you have unusual or severe pain or swelling, bleeding from the dressing or any other concerns, do not hesitate to get in touch with your surgeon. Someone in their office will call you the day after surgery to check on your condition and answer any questions you might have.
About the Author Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in Torrance, California and cosmetic surgery procedures such as torrance nose job, face lift, arm lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction.
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