Surgery time: 1-2 hours (asleep)

Preparation: You need to collect pictures of noses for your consult and really think about what you want and what would look natural on you. Once you have a surgical date, you need to be on a high protein diet and avoid anti-coagulants such as vitamin E, alcohol, antihistamines, over the counter cold and sleeping meds, most herbal oils and some herbs. The list is long and will be given to you. For ten days before surgery you want to take vitamin K to help prevent bruising. The day before surgery you want to start your antibiotics. If you think you are catching cold notify the office.

Procedure: Drawings are made and you bring in pictures of noses you like that might be good on you. This provides good communication so you can have input about the outcome of your surgery. You are sedated before you ever see the OR so you will not be frightened or hurt. The surgery is not painful to recover from. There are no external incisions. The nose is shaped according to the plan agreed upon. If your tissues are not adequate, which can be determined before surgery, donor cartilage (extra cost) can be arranged to better insure you get the result you want. Tissue glue is used to limit bruising and to assure greater accuracy in your result. There is a cast on your nose, which remains in place about 9 days.

Care: You should rest the first few days. You need to keep your head elevated and to rest on 3 or more pillows when resting or sleeping. You need to sleep on your back and never on your side. For the first few days a high protein powder is advised. You will be sleepy the first few days. If your surgery is not a secret you can resume many activities and perhaps work. You must not exercise or bend down or do strenuous activities.

Results: Should last a lifetime.