Getting ready for your procedure

• If possible, avoid medications and supplements that may thin your blood. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Vitamin E, and fish oil for two weeks before surgery.
• Do not smoke for two weeks prior to and two weeks after surgery. Nicotine and tobacco smoke delay healing and can result in scarring or infection.
• Your prescriptions for after surgery (typically an antibiotic, pain medication, and nausea medication) will be given to you the day of surgery.
• Purchase the following non-prescription items from a drug store:
  • Saline nasal spray/mist (2 bottles)
  • Vaseline or Aquaphor ointment
  • Stool softener (docusate). Constipation is common with use of pain medications and surgical recovery.
• Stock up on easy to prepare, easy to chew meals and snacks. Smell may be affected and bland foods tend to taste better right after surgery.
• Arrange to have someone to drive you home from surgery and stay with you for at least 24 hours after the procedure.

The Day before Surgery

• You will receive a call with the time to arrive for your procedure.
• Do not have anything to eat or drink (even water) after midnight the night before your surgery.

The Day of Surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything, including water, the morning of surgery. Essential medications may be taken with a sip of water
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that button or zip. Avoid slipover clothing.
• Leave your valuables at home; do not wear jewelry or piercings.
• Avoid all make-up, hairspray, and nail polish.
• Do not wear contacts, ok to wear glasses if needed.
• Bring your ID and insurance card with you.

Post-Operative Care

• Change out the dressing under nose (if present) until drainage stops.
• Do not blow your nose for two weeks. If you need to sneeze, do so with your mouth open.
• Keep the inside of your nose moist with nasal saline spray; 2 sprays per nostril every 2 hours while awake.
• Use a Q-tip to apply vaseline or Aquaphor ointment to the stitches just inside your nostril and to the skin stitches. Avoid touching the areas with your fingers.
• Keep your head elevated for the first 48 hours. A recliner is best. Sleeping with extra pillows works as well. This will minimize swelling and help avoid rolling during sleep.
• Small icepacks should be used over the eyes only. No pressure at all should be placed on the nose. Ice water soaks are also ok. Do this for the first 48 hours to help with swelling and bruising.
• Avoid anyfood that requires tall bites (Big Mac) or excessive chewing (steak) for the first week.
• Brush your teeth gently.
• The external nasal cast will be removed at your follow up appointment ( 6-7 days). Try not to disturb it, but if it comes off, do not replace.
• You may wash your face with a washcloth, do not get external nose wet. You may shower and wash your hair.
• No heavy lifting, bending over, or straining until cleared at follow up appointment.
• It is OK to wear contacts the day after surgery, and OK to wear glasses if cast is in place.