What types of painkillers do you give patients after Rhinoplasty?

Every surgeon is different, however, narcotic pain medicines are generally well-tolerated without increasing the risks of complications. NSAIDS and aspirin are typical avoided after rhinoplasty surgery as it increases your chances of bleeding.   I typically inject my patients local anesthetics prior to starting surgery and then a longer-acting anesthetic after surgery to reduce the usage of pain medicines altogether.

NSAIDS and Aspirin are normally avoided after rhinoplasty because their properties can lead to bleeding after surgery.  Tylenol and narcotic pain medications without NSAIDS or Aspirin can be used after surgery without increasing the chance of bleeding.  

I typically give my rhinoplasty patients a short course of hydrocodone for any post-op pain.  Most patients need a narcotic for the first 1-2 days, then they can easily transition to tylenol.  Aspirin and NSAIDs are to be avoided for the first week secondary to the increased risk of bleeding and excessive bruising.

Your question is very interesting. Usually I do prescribe some type of narcotic for patients even though many don't really complain of significant pain. Over the last year or so I've begun to rethink about NSAIDs and rhinoplasty since they do give relief. The fear has always been increased bruising and bleeding but in 2012 the FDA sent a nation wide warning out to physicians about prescribing narcotics in children after tonsillectomy because of respiratory suppression and recommended ibuprofen instead. This warning was confirmed and recommended by many national medical societies. If there is any procedure in which there is a high risk of bleeding after it's tonsillectomy. So if it's thought to be safe to use ibuprofen in this setting I think it's definitely worthwhile to revisit it in rhinoplasty. I subsequently do allow patients to take ibuprofen after the second day and so far have not had any serious issues. Aspirin though remains forbidden as it definitely will cause bleeding.

Typically some form of a narcotic is given to the patient after rhinoplasty to be taken as needed for pain control. I frequently tell patients that the rhinoplasty is not a particularly painful surgery, but instead a little annoying because the breathing is not optimal which causes a dry mouth. If you are sensitive to narcotics there are other alternatives that can be used. Make sure you discuss this with your rhinoplasty surgeon before your surgery. Good luck. 

Hi and thank you for the question.  Generally after most surgeries, NSAIDs and aspirin are avoided to reduce the chance of bleeding complications.  In our practice, we give narcotics such as Percocet and Vicodin.