What is the soonest I can get rhinoplasty done after Accutane? I've heard 3 months but others say 6.

Question

I would like to get rhinoplasty done as soon as possible but I just finished accutane. What is the soonest I can get rhinoplasty done after accutane and can you get rhinoplasty done sooner if it is closed rhinoplasty? I ask this bc I have heard the reason for waiting is due to scarring and from my understanding you do not scar as often with closed rhinoplasty.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

You will hear advice ranging from 3-12 months from different surgeons. The main indicator after stopping Accutane is the point at which your skin begins producing oil again. That could be as early as 3 months. With regard to the approach, you should move forward with the approach that will give you the best result, not the approach that can be performed sooner. Consult with an expert rhinoplasty surgeon and they can answer all of your questions in detail. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

Interesting question, though. I used to wait about six months. But I found some other surgeons who didn't wait at all, and who never had a problem, so I stopped waiting, and now I've never had a problem.I wonder whether it's more a theoretical than an actual practical consideration. I would wait before surgery if the operation had to do with extensive re-coverage of the skin surface, like with a dermabrasion or chemical peel, but I don't wait for rhinoplasty.But you'll have to go along with the recommendation of the surgeon whom you select.

Robert Kotler, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear johnsmith9 in Los Angeles, California:

This question has been bandied about for years.  Accutane is a great drug.  The concern is that it will affect
healing.  We specialists have discussed
this among ourselves at medical meetings and nobody recalls ever seeing a
patient who had a problem, even while on Accutane.  Typically, if you go off Accutane, 3 months
later there should be complete settling down of the tissues.

Generally, in the world of surgery, irregardless to what
kind of surgery one has, wound healing is complete within 3 months.  Of course, there is an advantage with the
closed rhinoplasty, should you be the exception to the rule, in that you do not
really have to worry about visible scarring. 
There is no such thing as a thickened, heavy scar, which is a concern, when
the incisions are done internally.

You should consult with doctors who have a lot of
experience with nasal surgery, because this subject has certainly come up in
their practice before.  I think that a
3-month wait is good.  
When you go for consultation,  prepare with written questions and spend
time.  Be sure you have done adequate
homework in terms of looking at the websites, including the photo galleries,
which are extremely important.  Be sure
to have computer imaging, of course.  You
need to get a sense of what the doctor has in mind for your, so it is not just
guessing.  It should not be
abstract.  You need to get a sense of
what can be accomplished.  You would not
buy a painting from a painter unless you saw the artist’s work prior.

Best wishes,

Robert Kotler,
MD, FACS

Over 4,500 nasal
procedures performed

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A closed rhinoplasty approach does not make an external incision, so it is probably acceptable to undergo the surgery  3 months after stopping the Accutane treatments. It's also best to check with your dermatologist and your  prospective rhinoplasty surgeon

Victor Chung, MD · Answer

It's recommended to stop Accutane at least 6 months before considering surgery. If the skin is not ready, I may ask a patient to wait for 1 year.Accutane or isotretinoin is a form of vitamin A used to treat acne. It reduces the amount of oil released by sebaceous glands in your skin. It can also dramatically affect the healing process.I recommend informing your surgeon about any medications, creams, sprays, or supplements. A fully informed surgeon can plan out the safest treatment plan for you. And waiting a few months is well worth avoiding an complication. Safety comes first.

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