Pain threshold and rhinoplasty? What pain killers can I request?

Question

I am considering a rhinoplasty and my pain threshold is low. What painkillers can I request from the surgeon for the first few days and by what day post surgery should I get off them

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Most patients ask if rhinoplasty surgery is painful. Both open and closed technique rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia so there's no pain experienced during the operation but what about afterwards?
In the first few days after your surgery, you will experience some swelling, bruising, and maybe some minor bleeding. Each patient has a different pain threshold but most patients report no pain after the surgery, just some mild discomfort is noted. 
During the surgery, we give our patients painkillers through the IV and when they get discharged from the hospital they are prescribed painkillers as well.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

I typically prescribe my patients a short course of Norco for breakthrough pain. I do recommend taking narcotics with Colace since you can get constipated while taking narcotics. Please avoid alcohol and operating a vehicle while taking narcotic medication.

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

Pain management after rhinoplasty:I routinely prescribe a few days worth of narcotic pain med such as hydrocodone to my patients following rhinoplasty. Over the years I am impressed to hear that about 90% of them do not even take it. Most patients say they just took Tylenol or took nothing at all. Occasionally, about one out of 10 will say that it was painful and that they did take the narcotic pain med. In these cases they usually take it for approximately three days.

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hi there! Pain after rhinoplasty tends to not be significant. Most often, my patients complain of congestion and facial pressure from swelling. Also, difficulty sleeping due to the need to have the head of bed elevated and neutral. If pain medication is needed, a low dose of a narcotic would be appropriate like Norco or Percocet. I suggest using extra strength Tylenol for nearly all pain unless fairly uncomfortable. Then, replace with a prescription pain medication. It's best to use the least amount of them possible and to get off as quickly as possible. Most of my patients use a few tabs over the first 1-2 days and stop. Hope that helps.

Pain threshold and rhinoplasty? What pain killers can I request?

Answers (4)

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