Sydney Rhinoplasty Surgery

Pain can persist for up to 10 days after the procedure, but it is usually most intense during the first few days. Regularly scheduled pain relief medication, such as Panadol, can help manage discomfort effectively.

If your child experiences significant or persistent bleeding, difficulty breathing, or prolonged vomiting, contact your surgeon immediately. These symptoms may indicate complications that require medical attention.

Starting with soft foods such as yoghurt, jelly, or soups is essential. Avoid hard, spicy, or acidic foods that could irritate the throat. As your child’s comfort improves, they can gradually return to a regular diet.

Regular pain relief, plenty of fluids, soft foods, and rest are vital to helping your child feel comfortable after surgery. Keep the head elevated and ensure they avoid strenuous activities.

It’s normal for your child to be reluctant to eat or drink due to discomfort. Encourage small sips of cold fluids and offer soft, soothing foods. If your child refuses fluids for an extended period, contact your healthcare provider.

Otoplasty is often performed at school entry/age 5 because the ears have reached 85% of their adult size. However, the surgery can be performed at any age after age 5, depending on individual needs.

There may be some mild discomfort on the night following the surgery, but Panadol is usually adequate pain relief. Most children experience minimal pain during recovery.

Otoplasty is generally safe but carries risks like infection, bleeding, or scarring, like any surgery. A qualified surgeon will minimise these risks through careful technique and thorough aftercare instructions. Suture extrusion and keloid formation are rare. Minor asymmetry is present in all cases because humans are not mirror images from side to side. Revision surgery is rare.

Most children can return to normal activities within 1 week, although strenuous activities and contact sports should be avoided for several weeks to allow the ears to heal.

Otoplasty aims to create a balanced ear position that complements your child’s features. The surgery ensures a balanced and symmetrical look by repositioning the ears closer to the head. Your surgeon will strive to meet your aesthetic goals while providing a balanced result.

The nurses will show you how to douche your nose with saline to keep it clean. Keep the plaster dry and wash your face with a sponge or face washer.

In hospital you will have 3 pillows to raise up your head and reduce the swelling. At home you can use your normal pillow. No need to sleep up so high after the 1^st night.

If you have a bad neck we suggest you bring a travel pillow to help avoid neck strain in the Recovery ward when you are sitting up but drowsy.

Ice helps in the first 12 hours but the benefit after 12 hours is less.

We will remove these 1 week after surgery. It is a good idea to watch Dr Dunlop’s video Removing the Stitches and Plaster before the day so you know what to expect and can see how easy it is. We suggest you put Vaseline on the row of stitches under your nose on the day of your appointment. The Vaseline cleans the stitches so they slide out more comfortably.

We really encourage people to walk 30-60 minutes a day for the first 12 days. Then they can return to the gym. If you exercise too much too soon you might cause bleeding.

When walking use a sun visor rather than sunglasses to reduce the weight on the bridge of the nose.

Most people who wear glasses will want to use their lightest pair or use a piece of cotton wool over the bridge of the nose to support the glasses in the first 3 weeks. After 3 weeks it is usually not uncomfortable to wear glasses.

Bruising may not even happen if we are just working with cartilage changes. Bruising tends to happen if we need to work with bone such as a crooked nose or a very large hump.

If there is bruising it can last around 12 days. Concealer can be used after the first 7 days when the plaster is removed.

We will give you a certificate for 2 weeks off work. It is normal to be very tired in the first week though there is minimal pain.

We will show you photos of other people’s noses. The main swelling goes down in the first few months but it can take up to 2 years to see your final result.

You will need to wait at least 4 months before considering this type of photo. The nose will look better and better over time so it is best to wait.

We recommend you buy Drixine nose spray from the chemist and squirt it in your nose. This medicine will shrink down blood vessels. Bleeding is very uncommon but it tends to come from the front of the nose where the internal splints are positioned.

• Contact Dr Dunlop straight away.
• We recommend Augmentin Duo Forte or Ciproxin tablets as well as antibiotic cream.

It is not uncommon to have a watery nose after nose surgery. This can last for years and the cause is unknown.

We recommend at least 4 appointments over an 18-month period. We don’t charge you for these appointments as it is all part of making sure you have the best possible result. We are checking to make sure the cartilage is healthy and uninfected.

We will take photos prior to surgery so we can discuss the planned changes.

We will photograph you at the end of the operation so you know what to expect the nose will look like when the swelling goes down. We then photograph you over the 18 months after surgery so you can see the new nose evolving.

You will ring the nursing staff the afternoon before your operation to check on the arrival time and fasting time.

Wear loose comfortable clothes that will be easy to put on and off when you have a plaster on your nose. As we said above, don’t wear make up and have clean hair. If your hair is long, wear a high pony tail so it is out of the way during the surgery when you are lying on your back.

Most rhinoplasty procedures take 4 to 4 ½ hours. This could be longer if a rib graft is needed.

If you have already undergone a rhinoplasty or septoplasty or have had major trauma to your nose you may need a rib graft. The rib provides cartilage for building blocks to rebuild your new nose. Rib cartilage can come from a donor or from you.

The hospital will give you a saline douche for keeping the nose clean and antibiotic capsules. Most people are also given a few days of medicine to reduce the swelling.

Most people only take pain relief the night of the surgery. We will give you some pain relief tablets to take home but generally Panadol is all that you will need.

Because their nose is blocked most people are aware of a dry throat from the constant mouth breathing. The blockage is relieved the day the splints are removed which is 1 week after surgery.

No. You will be too tired after a long operation. Besides the Government will not cover you for Third Party Insurance.

We suggest you look at the before/after gallery photos on the different websites and examine the reviews. The best way is to speak with someone who has already had a good experience and can provide a recommendation.

We suggest you bring some images of a nose you really admire. We will then discuss if it is a realistic goal for you. It is also a good idea to bring any scans or other information relating to your nose. If you bring a referral, you will be able to have a Medicare rebate.

Medicines that thin the blood and increase bruising and swelling include Aspirin and NSAIDS such as Naprosyn, Naprogesic, Celebrex, Indocid, Ibuprofen, Ponstan and Voltaren. Fish Oil, Vitamin E, Gingko, Echinacea and Manuka Honey all have a similar effect.

We recommend you avoid these medicines 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery to reduce bleeding and bruising.

Don’t wear any makeup or earrings to hospital. If you do, they will be removed to reduce the risk of infection.

When you wake up you will have a plaster on your nose. The plaster must be kept dry for 1 week so you won’t be able to wash your hair. That means it is important to have really clean hair on the day of your rhinoplasty.

You must be 18 years to undergo Rhinoplasty. If you are under 18, you must obtain a report from a psychologist and undergo a 3 month cooling off period.

Yes, greatly. During the rhinoplasty the cartilage in the nose is re-shaped in order to achieve a normal look. Nicotine in cigarettes or vaping will reduce the blood supply to these areas and possibly lead to breaking down of some of the cartilage. This can result in notches, asymmetry and even loss of skin.  It is best to avoid nicotine for 1 month pre op and 3 months post op. Even passive smoking is a problem.

At your appointment you will be given a quote for Dr Dunlop but you need 2 other quotes to know the total cost. We will give you the phone number for the anaesthetist and the hospital so you can obtain their quotes as well. You need to check with your health fund that you are covered for rhinoplasty before the surgery. Health funds and Medicare pay very little towards the surgical and anaesthetic fees. They contribute mainly towards the hospital costs such as the theatre fee and overnight stay. Without insurance hospital fees in 2022 are round $7,000. If you choose to go home the day of surgery rather than stay overnight the saving may only be several hundred dollars (2022).

SAN Hospital, call patient/parent afternoon prior to surgery day and Hunters Hill Hospital please call nursing staff P 88769387

The best way to prepare for rhinoplasty surgery is to ensure all your questions are answered. If you understand what rhinoplasty involves, your apprehension particularly on the day before rhinoplasty surgery will be less. Often this means arranging another appointment to see your rhinoplasty surgeon to discuss any specific issues about the aims to be achieved for your personal rhinoplasty, or issues regarding medications, sport, work or travel. Please refer to our rhinoplasty website page for medication protocols . This lists the 60 medications which will promote excessive bleeding and increase the risk of revision rhinoplasty. These medications e.g. Nurofen, Aspirin, Codral and Fish Oil should be avoided for two weeks prior to your rhinoplasty. Sport or going to the gym within two weeks after rhinoplasty can cause bleeding. Exercise such as walking in the first two weeks following rhinoplasty is encouraged as it helps reduce swelling for you to be moving around. Contact sports such as soccer or netball are avoided for six weeks after rhinoplasty, to allow for firm bone healing. Travel plans for the period following surgery should be discussed with your rhinoplasty surgeon as you will need regular post op consultations to check on the rhinoplasty wound healing … frequently, for the first six weeks then occasionally for a total of 18 months. As you will be having a general anaesthetic, avoid alcohol for 24 hours prior to your rhinoplasty. Cease smoking as early as possible prior to surgery as your rhinoplasty wound healing will be compromised. Lastly, another tip is to wash your hair the morning of the procedure as hair washing is tricky following surgery as you must keep your rhinoplasty plaster dry.

Rhinoplasty surgery takes 4-5 hours which is followed by an hour in recovery so tell friends and relatives to allow plenty of time before expecting to see you awake. With modern rhinoplasty anaesthetic techniques bruising is minimal but it may increase and move down over the cheeks over the first few post op rhinoplasty days. Most people stay one night in hospital following rhinoplasty though some people are discharged that day. For the first night only you will need to sleep up on 3 pillows. Nurses or your relatives change the small rhinoplasty bandage under the nose. The nasal dressing in only required for the first night. This is not difficult for your family but it does mean getting up in the middle of the night. Before discharge after rhinoplasty your doctor and nurses will show you how to douche the nose with saline. This will need to be done 6 times a day for 6 weeks to prevent crusting and infection in therhinoplasty wound. Antibiotics will also be given to you, for one week. After 5 to 7 days you will see your rhinoplasty surgeon for removal of the rhinoplasty splits both inside and outside the nose. Many people fear this visit but it is usually a great relief to have the plaster off and to breathe freely (and probably better than ever). Having sutures out is fiddly but not a huge discomfort. After 5 days you will no longer be so tired in the afternoons so we encourage you to take up gentle exercise such as walking. By now your rhinoplasty plaster is off and you can wear makeup. By 10 to 14 days post rhinoplasty, you will feel well enough to go to work. Most rhinoplasty patients comment at this stage that there is very little pain following rhinoplasty surgery. They mainly notice post op fatigue and 5 days of nasal blockage. Contact sports or wearing swimming goggles are avoided for 6 weeks following rhinoplasty. Sun or reading glasses also weigh down on the rhinoplasty wound and are best avoided for 3 weeks, more if they are particularly heavy. Your post op rhinoplasty appointments will be made for 1 week, 2 week, 6 week, 3, 12 then 18 months. There will be more definition in your postop rhinoplasty nose over a 2 year period. Remember as well the older we are, the longer it takes to heal.

To view a list of medication you can / cannot take pre and post-operation, please CLICK HERE.

Cigarettes and Alcohol

Cigarette smoking is a risk for nose surgery. Smoking interferes with the blood flow so healing is poorer and infection more likely. This can lead to nose scarring and the need for revision rhinoplasty. The oral contraceptive pill is not a problem itself, but if combined with smoking, a rhinoplasty patient could develop leg clots and possibly even death as the clot passes to the lungs. Smoking also causes coughing on waking up after rhinoplasty surgery. Coughing can lead to bleeding which may mean the nose must be packed with ribbon gauze to stem the nasal bleeding. This could distort the rhinoplasty result. Alcohol within 48 hours of an anaesthetic could alter the amount of drug the anaesthetist needs to give. Best avoided! In a special group are Roaccutane and steroids such as Prednisone. Both of these medicines will delay healing to the point where nose surgery is not advisable. Make sure you talk to your doctor about alterations to these medications. Remember, rhinoplasty surgery is elective surgery. You want the very best result so you will need the very best conditions. For a full list of medications to be avoided before and after rhinoplasty, go to our tool bar, click “Rhinoplasty”, and then click “General Instructions”. If there is any doubt, simply contact us.

• Make sure you douche the nose 6 times a day.It will clear the congestion.
• Dab the nose with a Kleenex as it will dribble blood occasionally for about 3 days. Do not wear the cotton bandage under the nose as you did in hospital. This gives nappy rash after a while.
• You may sleep on one pillow at home.
• Walk for at least 20-30 minutes a day. This will help the swelling drop. It is normalfor some bruising to track down the cheeks.
• Pain relief is rarely required but use Panadol if needed.
• Before your first post op appointment, douche the nose and use Vaseline on a cotton bud to clean the stitches under the nose.

No one can undergo a rhinoplasty without some swelling afterwards. The bulk of the swelling and bruising will be gone 2 weeks after rhinoplasty surgery but it takes 18 months for all the swelling to truly settle. On a positive note, this means your rhinoplasty will look better and better. Certain factors affect the amount of swelling you will experience after rhinoplasty .

1. If you don’t need much done e.g. a small bump, your rhinoplasty will not involve much disturbance to the body, so post op rhinoplasty swelling is small. Conversely if you have a nose which has been traumatised by sporting injuries it may need major rhinoplasty reconstruction. Here obvious post op rhinoplasty swelling may last several weeks, even months.
2. Allow time for your post op rhinoplasty to settle. It is fine to plan to return to work 2 weeks after rhinoplasty surgery but less than this amount of time may mean that your swelling is noticeable.
3. As we age, the collagen and elastic fibres in our skin are less likely to take up the new shape of the nose quickly. This means that after rhinoplasty the skin gradually moulds and the swelling takes longer to subside.
4. If you are not active and simply take to bed following your rhinoplasty, the swelling will be prolonged. Vigorous exertion may create bleeding but walking at least once a day win the first 2 weeks following rhinoplasty surgery is a good way to encourage the rhinoplasty swelling to drop with gravity. Lying horizontal tends to allow it to puff up again.
5. Lastly, if you have a very big nose, or a very big bump, your new rhinoplasty nose may be much smaller. You need to allow time for the rhinoplasty to heal as the skin envelope of the old nose moulds to the new rhinoplasty nose.

Overnight for rhinoplasty and day surgery for ear pinning surgery.

To view a complete list of medications you must cease taking prior to surgery please click here.

10 days but you can wear concealer makeup after the fifth day

Five to seven days post-op.

You will be tired – like jetlag for approx. 10 days.

Contact sports should be avoided for 6 weeks to allow time for the bones to knit. The gym is fine after 2 weeks but goggles for swimming should be avoided for 6 weeks as they press on the bones which are still healing. Football players should postpone rhinoplasty surgery until the end of their football career as further trauma may mean further surgery.