To prepare for rhinoplasty surgery, there are several things that a person can do. It is important to know what they are, because not doing them (or doing something one should not) can make a definite difference in the success of a rhinoplasty. Generally, a doctor will give his or her patient specific instructions as to what should be done before rhinoplasty surgery. Following these is very important to the success of the surgery and the speed of the healing process.

What Needs To Be Done to Prepare for Rhinoplasty Surgery?

In order to have the best rhinoplasty experience possible, here are some of the most important things that should be done before rhinoplasty surgery:

Any prescriptions for antibiotics, painkillers and other medications should be filled. Medications that have anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning properties (like aspirin) should not be taken.

Anything that might be needed close by should be in the recovery room at the patient's home. This can include magazines, the television remote, the phone, snacks and anything else that a patient might want, but will not want to have to get up and get.

Some doctors recommend that a nurse or other caregiver be hired for the first 24 to 72 hours to take the strain off family members.

In addition, it is important to follow any specific instructions that the doctor provides in order to avoid complications as much as possible.

The list of specifics for what to do before rhinoplasty surgery is long, and it can vary based on the doctor who is performing the procedure. The most important aspect of preparing for rhinoplasty surgery is to follow all of the doctor's instructions as closely as possible. If there is anything that was not followed, the doctor should be aware of it, in order to determine whether it will endanger the patient too much to proceed with the operation.

Rules Are Rules

Unfortunately, many of the complications that come from rhinoplasty surgery and other plastic surgeries occur because the patient did not follow the directions. He or she may think these are just guidelines, but they are actually rules, and they are definitely not made to be broken. The after-care is very important, but the rules for what to do before rhinoplasty surgery can also be vital because they help the patient get ready for something that can be hard on the body. Any surgery is like an injury to the body, and if there is too much bleeding or if the tissue cannot heal properly (smokers sometimes have this problem), serious complications could result.

What Can Following the Rhinoplasty Rules Prevent?

For those who smoke, a lack of circulation to the tissue that has just been operated on can cause necrosis (skin death). While this can happen in those who do not smoke, a smoker is much more likely to experience this. Quitting smoking for a few weeks both before and after rhinoplasty surgery can prevent this in most patients. In addition, properly preparing for rhinoplasty surgery can reduce pain, lower the chance of infection and make the recovery time less troubling. It can also reduce the risk of excessive bleeding and cut down on the stress on family members and friends that are helping to take care of the patient.