Post OP process for rhinoplasty - what is the typical routine? How many trips to the surgeon's office are expected?

Question

Considering a rhinoplasty in next few months. What checks do surgeons do post surgery before they let the patient checkout. What is the typical followup routine (next day, day after). How many trips are roughly expected to the surgeons office during the whole process

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

How many visits are required after a rhinoplasty? after a Rhinoplasty, there is usually a cast which must be removed. Most surgeons remove the cast after approximately one week, so this would be the most necessary postop visit. If septal work is also done, some surgeons use a packing. If a packing is used most surgeons remove it on about the third day postop. after the cast is removed I usually like to see my patients back after about two months to make sure everything is healing properly. Many of my patients come from long distances or overseas and never return for a follow up after cast removal. For those who are able to have follow up visits I also like to see the patient between four and six months because it is at this time that scar tissue buildup in the area above the tip is often maximal and may need a steroid injection. This is more true of patients with thicker skin than with thin skin. I’d like to see the patient after about a year to see theMore or less “final“ result, but very few patients keep this appointment which I presume means that they are satisfied.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear sweet_lavendar,
Every rhinoplasty surgeon and office have slightly different protocols for their post-rhinoplasty patients.  These can usually be found on their websites.  I would recommend reading a few websites of American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeons to get an idea of what to expect afterward.  Good luck!

Jeffrey C. Hamm, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Each plastic surgeon has a unique individual postoperative rhinoplasty protocol based upon training and lifelong surgical experience. 
In our practice, we usually reevaluate the patient on the first postoperative day, at one week (splint removal), at 4 weeks, at 3 months, and at 6 months....and longer if necessary. Total healing and subsidence of swelling takes a year or more.
Best wishes...

Post OP process for rhinoplasty - what is the typical routine? How many trips to the surgeon's office are expected?

Answers (3)

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