inner-logo

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.
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.
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 1st 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.
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).
It’s recommended to perform nasal douching at least six times daily to keep your nasal passages clear and promote healing. Keep this up for 6 weeks for the best healing.
Yes, as detailed above, you can prepare a homemade saline solution using boiled tap water, salt, and bicarbonate of soda.
You can consider swimming after your nasal splints have been removed. Light exercise such as walking may be resumed the day after surgery, but always consult with Dr Dunlop before resuming strenuous activities. Generally these are safe 12 days after surgery.
If bleeding occurs, sit quietly and apply ice over your nose. If it doesn’t stop, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital.
Panadol and Panadeine are safe options. Avoid aspirin, Nurofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as they can increase the risk of bleeding.
Some swelling and bruising are normal and should subside over time. Keeping your head elevated and following care instructions can help reduce these symptoms.
Even if you haven’t had sinus surgery, avoiding vigorous nose blowing for at least 7 days after surgery. Gentle sniffing is acceptable.
A surgical procedure to reposition and reshape prominent ears.
From around age 5 when ear cartilage is fully formed.
Medicare generally applies only to patients under 18. Private coverage varies.
About 3-4 hours under general anaesthetic.
Most patients return to their normal activities within 1 week.
Not required for a consultation, but may be needed for rebate eligibility.
No. Otoplasty does not affect hearing.
The procedure can be tailored to one or both ears.
A referral isn’t required to see Dr Dunlop privately, but it is helpful if you’re seeking a Medicare rebate.
The session typically takes 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of your needs.
Yes—bringing a family member or friend is encouraged, especially for younger patients.
Surgery is not performed at the first appointment. If you’re ready to proceed, the team will help you find a convenient surgical date.
Yes, a consultation fee applies. Please contact the clinic for current rates and rebate details.
The ideal age for children is 5–7 years. Adults can benefit at any age if they’re in good health.
Otoplasty results are long-lasting for both children and adults.
Children usually recover quickly with parental support; adults recover independently but experience more bruising.
Yes, the procedure can be performed on one ear or both, depending on your anatomy.
Yes, age is not a barrier. If you’re in good health, otoplasty can still be performed as long as you are not taking blood thinning medication.
Most patients describe mild discomfort, which can be easily managed with standard pain medication. Itch is common.
Around 7 days, depending on the individual and the type of activity.
Incisions are hidden behind the ear and generally fade with time.
A follow-up visit is scheduled to monitor the healing process and ensure the results align with expectations. Minor adjustments can be discussed if needed.
Glasses may be uncomfortable for the first week, but can often be worn carefully after 3 weeks.
Mild swelling is expected. Contact our clinic if symptoms worsen or persist beyond the first week.
Standard over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient, but do not use Nurofen. Follow your post-op instructions closely.
Glasses can be worn 3 weeks after the initial dressing is removed. Ensure they do not press directly on the incision sites.
Usually, within one-week post-surgery, with a second check-up at 2 weeks.
Otoplasty results are typically long-lasting. Following aftercare instructions helps protect and maintain your outcome.
TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR DUNLOP PLEASE RING 02 9487 7877 OR FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW, PLEASE BRING YOUR DOCTOR'S REFERRAL ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT.
If you would like to organise an initial discussion to discuss your sydney rhinoplasty treatment. Please book a consultation. Call us on (02) 9487 7877. Or fill out the form below.
If you would like to organise an initial discussion to discuss your sydney rhinoplasty treatment. Please request a consultation. Call us on (02) 9487 7877. Or fill out the form below.