Can I be considered a candidate for rhinoplasty if I suffer from chronic headaches? Will this put me at risk for complications?

Hi @lifesaliens. Thank you for your question. I would recommend a medical clearance from a neurologist prior to proceeding with a rhinoplasty.

Best of luck,

Dr. Nima

Hello! Great questions. I wouldn't think that having headaches would put you at risk during anesthesia or recovery. If you have a Neurologist or someone treating your headaches, it would be worthwhile to have them weigh in. Many times, my patients, if on medication for headaches, will adjust accordingly with their treating provider to obtain the most comfort surrounding surgery. Hope this helps you!

Could chronic headaches raise the risk of anesthesia and surgery? I have many patients who suffer from migraine headaches and other types of chronic headaches, and this has never been an issue. The key point however is to work with a neurologist to assess the cause of the headaches. In most otherwise healthy young people the causes are benign. Your neurologist will do studies and hopefully rule out any more serious causes that are less benign. The other issue is the medication‘s that you are or will be on at the time of surgery. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, Advil, Motrin, etc. can cause bleeding and must be stopped perioperatively. Your rhinoplasty surgeon will provide you with a list of these and other medication‘s which must be stopped prior to surgery. whether the surgery or anesthesia will trigger the headaches in the recovery period Is uncertain, but I am not aware of that causing any other complication or affecting the healing process.