During Surgery

Nothing to eat for six hours before surgery. Smalls sips of water are permitted up to two hours before surgery. The anaethetist will usually confirm.

Travel to the hospital in comfortable clothing, bring a small washbag and a hair band.

You do not need an escort to travel in, but you will need the help when you are discharged home around 3-5 hours after the operation finishes.

It is normal to feel a bit nervous but be reassured the nurses who will admit you to your room are very experienced. You will have to get changed into the hospital gown and you will be given compression calf stockings. A wrist band with your details and a red wrist band should you have any allergies.

The anaesthetist and the surgeon will come to see you and you will sign a further consent form. Ladies will have to have a negative pregnancy test.

Sometimes there is a bit of a delay in the operation starting, you may bring a book or other past time.

A porter will walk with you to the operating room where the anaesthetist will greet you and you will have a further check with the ODP.

In the meantime, the surgeon, assistant, scrub nurses, runners have all the instruments ready for the start.

Surgery takes several hours and when it is over you will be in the recovery room for a while before going back to your room.

We often take photos during the surgery. We can show them to you if you wish after your plaster is removed.

The nose and mouth will be numb as we use local anaesthesia during the surgery. The upper lip feels strange and tight, and you might prefer drinking with a straw.

There is no diet restriction, but it is best to avoid very hot drinks or soups.

Most patients go home the same day of the operation (Day-case). You should be able to go home three to five hours after the operation finishes. You need to eat, drink and pass water before you are allowed home. You need an escort to go home. You cannot go home alone as you might feel lightheaded.

You will have a plaster cast on the external nose which stays on for one week. We do not use compression packs inside the nose. We sometimes use silastic plastic splints inside of the nose and those are removed at the same time as the plaster.

Rhinoplasty surgery is not painful. There is a degree of pressure in the nose, and it feels as if one has a heavy cold. A combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen is often enough pain-relief in the first week.

There are no restrictions on what you can eat. Many patients find it helpful to have a low salt diet as it causes less water retention. You should avoid very hot drinks or soups in the first few hours after surgery as it can contribute to further bleeding.