Preparation makes a material difference to how the first fortnight goes. This is what to arrange before the day.
Cosmetic surgery in Australia requires a referral from your GP, two consultations on separate days, and a seven day cooling off period between the second consultation and surgery.
At the first appointment I take a history, examine your nose inside and out, review your photographs, and we discuss what is realistically achievable. The second is a full examination and planning session.
Bring your history. Previous nasal surgery, injuries, breathing problems, allergies, and every medication and supplement you take. Previous septoplasty or sinus surgery changes the plan considerably and is easy to forget about.
If you are pursuing aesthetic change you may bring photographs of noses you like. The aim is not to replicate someone else’s face. They help me understand what you are after, and I will tell you what is achievable within your own anatomy.
Further imaging, such as a CT scan, is arranged where it is needed to understand the internal structures.
Patients often arrive unsure what to ask. Worth considering:
You should get direct answers to all of those. If you do not, that is information too.
At your pre-operative appointment you will be given a written preparation guide covering what to stop, what to start, and when.
Some things to know now. Medications affecting blood clotting need to be stopped before surgery, and that includes several common over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Do not stop prescribed medication without discussing it with me or your GP first. Bring a complete list of everything you take, including anything you would not think of as medication.
If you smoke, stopping well before surgery matters more here than in most operations, because nicotine affects blood supply to the nasal skin.
Practical, and worth doing in the week before rather than on the day.
For comfort and recovery
For nasal care
Also
Time off. Most patients take two weeks. The splint and sutures come out at about day seven, and most people are presentable rather than fully settled at two weeks.
Someone to drive you home, and a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours. This is not optional and surgery will be cancelled without it.
Glasses. They cannot rest on the bridge of the nose for the first six weeks. If you wear them, arrange contact lenses or work out how you will tape them to your forehead.
If you are travelling from outside Brisbane, the trip needs planning around the cooling off period and the day seven review. Clearance to fly is given at that review rather than to a fixed timetable, so do not book non-refundable return travel.
You will receive a written quote after your consultation setting out the surgeon’s, anaesthetist’s and hospital fees, together with any Medicare rebate and health fund benefit that applies.
Where the surgery includes a functional component, part of it may attract a Medicare item number and your health fund may cover the hospital fee. Eligibility depends on documented obstruction and is assessed at consultation. Full detail is on the cost page.
You can change your mind at any point. Signing a consent form does not commit you to going ahead.
More about the operation itself is on the rhinoplasty page, and the risks are set out on our risks page.
(07) 3202 4636