Synopsis:
Successful nose surgery begins weeks before your procedure date. Elite Plastic Surgery provides specific pre-surgical instructions covering medication adjustments, supply preparation, and health optimization. Our board-certified plastic surgeons customize preparation guidelines during consultations based on your medical history and surgical plan. This guide covers what to discontinue before surgery, how to set up your recovery space, and steps to optimize healing outcomes for patients in Chandler and Phoenix.
Choosing to undergo rhinoplasty is an important step toward enhancing your appearance and overall well-being. It’s then time to focus on a critical yet often overlooked stage: preparation.
How you prepare in the weeks before surgery can directly influence your results, recovery speed, and comfort. Proper preparation reduces swelling, minimizes complications, and promotes faster healing. Small actions like adjusting medications, optimizing nutrition, and organizing your recovery space make a measurable difference in your outcome.
Elite Plastic Surgery Chandler AZ outlines every key step, from scheduling your rhinoplasty surgery to arriving at our facility. Our board-certified surgeons, Dr. Rozbeh, Dr. Radbeh, and Dr. Ramyar Torabi, help patients prepare successfully. Use this information as your roadmap to achieve the smoothest recovery and most natural results possible.
Why Preparation Determines Your Surgical Success
Your actions before surgery directly affect your results and recovery experience. Proper preparation reduces complication risks, speeds healing, and helps you approach surgery day with confidence rather than anxiety.
Our patients who follow pre-operative guidelines consistently report smoother recoveries and higher satisfaction with outcomes. Starting preparations two to three weeks before your scheduled date provides adequate time for medication adjustments, supply gathering, and necessary lifestyle modifications.
Your Pre-Operative Consultation
Your preparation begins during consultation at our Chandler office. This meeting establishes the foundation for your surgical plan and provides personalized instructions specific to your needs.
We review your complete medical background, including current medications (prescription and over-the-counter), previous surgeries, known allergies, chronic health conditions, bleeding disorders, and any previous nasal trauma. This information helps us determine the safest anesthesia approach and identify factors that might affect healing.
We examine your nasal structure both externally and internally. Clinical photographs from multiple angles document your current appearance for surgical planning and post-operative comparison. These images serve as your “before” reference for tracking results.
We explain whether open rhinoplasty, closed rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty, or revision rhinoplasty best suits your anatomy and goals. You learn about incision placement, expected changes, recovery timeline, and realistic outcomes. This discussion helps you understand exactly what will happen during your procedure.
You receive written guidelines customized to your procedure. These specify medication restrictions, dietary requirements, and preparation timelines. Review these instructions regularly as your surgery date approaches. Our team remains available to answer questions throughout your preparation period.
What to Stop Before Surgery
Certain medications and substances increase bleeding risk during surgery or interfere with anesthesia. Stopping these protects your safety and supports optimal healing.
Medications and Supplements to Discontinue
Stop these at least two weeks before your scheduled surgery date. This timeframe allows your blood-clotting function to return to normal levels.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers:
These medications thin your blood and increase bleeding risk:
- Aspirin and aspirin-containing products
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Any other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Vitamins and Herbal Supplements:
These affect blood clotting or anesthesia response:
- Vitamin E supplements (doses over 400 IU daily)
- Fish oil and omega-3 capsules
- Garlic tablets and ginger supplements
- Ginkgo and ginseng
- Feverfew
- St. John’s Wort (causes dangerous interactions with anesthesia)
- Green tea extract (high doses)
Never stop prescription medications without consulting us first. If you take prescribed blood thinners for medical conditions like warfarin (Coumadin), Plavix, or Eliquis, we coordinate with your prescribing physician to develop a safe medication management plan.
Continue Taking These Medications:
Your regular medications remain important for your health:
- Blood pressure medications
- Heart medications
- Thyroid medications
- Diabetes medications
- Psychiatric medications
Take your regular morning medications with a small sip of water on surgery day unless we specifically instruct otherwise during your pre-operative consultation.
Alcohol and Tobacco Restrictions
Stop all alcoholic beverages at least two weeks before surgery. Alcohol interferes with anesthesia effectiveness, impairs blood clotting, and slows tissue healing. Even moderate drinking affects how your body metabolizes surgical medications and increases post-operative complications.
Why Nicotine Must Be Avoided:
Stop all nicotine products (cigarettes, cigars, vaping devices, e-cigarettes, nicotine patches, chewing tobacco) immediately when you schedule surgery. Nicotine severely constricts blood vessels and reduces oxygen delivery to healing tissues. This creates serious risks, including:
- Poor wound healing and delayed recovery
- Tissue necrosis (tissue death)
- Increased infection risk
- Prolonged swelling and bruising
- Unsatisfactory scarring
- Compromised surgical results
Continue avoiding all nicotine products throughout your recovery period (minimum four weeks after surgery). Studies show patients who smoke or use nicotine experience significantly higher complication rates and longer recovery times compared to non-users.
Preparing Your Recovery Space
Prepare your home before surgery so everything you need is within reach when you return. This eliminates stress and allows you to focus entirely on healing.
Medical Supplies and Equipment
Pick up all prescribed medications before surgery day. This includes pain medication, antibiotics (if prescribed), and anti-nausea medication (if prescribed). Having medications ready prevents unnecessary trips to the pharmacy when you should be resting.
Gather these additional supplies:
For Managing Swelling:
- Cold compresses or bags of frozen peas
- 3-4 extra pillows (must sleep elevated at 45-degree angle)
For Nasal Care:
- Saline nasal spray (keeps passages moist)
- Petroleum jelly or prescribed ointment
- Soft facial tissues (non-lotion variety)
For Daily Care:
- Antibacterial hand soap
- Gentle, fragrance-free facial cleanser
- Clean towels and washcloths
- Thermometer (monitor for fever)
Set up your recovery area with a recliner or couch that allows head elevation. Position a side table within arm’s reach for medications, tissues, water, phone charger, and entertainment. Never lie completely flat for the first seven to ten days. Keeping your head elevated reduces swelling and promotes proper drainage.
Food Preparation and Meal Planning
Your sense of smell will be diminished, and chewing may feel uncomfortable initially. Prepare soft, easy-to-eat foods in advance so they’re ready when needed. Our team will provide tailored guidelines. Below are general guidelines to follow.
First 48-72 Hours After Surgery: Stock clear broths (chicken, vegetable, bone broth), protein shakes or nutrition drinks, smoothies with protein powder, pudding and gelatin desserts, applesauce, lukewarm soup (avoid hot liquids), and popsicles. These require minimal chewing and won’t irritate your healing nose.
Days 3-7 After Surgery: Add scrambled eggs, oatmeal or cream of wheat, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, pasta with marinara sauce, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, soft fruits (bananas, melon, canned peaches), and steamed vegetables. These foods provide more substantial nutrition while remaining easy to eat.
Avoid spicy foods (cause nasal irritation), hot beverages (increase swelling), crunchy foods (jaw movement affects healing), foods requiring vigorous chewing, and salty foods (cause fluid retention) during your first week of recovery.
Optimizing Your Physical Health
Your body’s condition before surgery directly impacts how well and how quickly you heal. The weeks leading up to your procedure offer an ideal opportunity to strengthen your health and prepare for optimal recovery.
The following guidelines represent general best practices for pre-surgical health optimization. During your pre-operative consultation, we assess your specific medical history, current health status, and individual needs to provide personalized nutrition and wellness recommendations tailored to your unique situation.
Nutrition Guidelines for Faster Healing
Protein becomes especially important in the weeks before surgery. Your body needs protein to repair tissues and maintain immune function during the healing process.
Increase your daily protein intake from these sources:
- Lean poultry (chicken breast, turkey)
- Fish rich in omega-3s (salmon, cod, tilapia)
- Eggs and egg whites
- Beans, lentils, and legumes
- Greek yogurt
- Quinoa and whole grains
Add vitamin C-rich foods to support collagen production. Vitamin C plays a critical role in wound healing and tissue repair. Your body cannot produce vitamin C on its own, so dietary sources are essential.
Excellent vitamin C sources include:
- Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemons)
- Strawberries, kiwi, and papaya
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)
- Broccoli and Brussels sprouts
- Tomatoes and tomato juice
Include zinc-rich foods for immune support. Zinc accelerates wound healing and strengthens the immune response during recovery.
Good zinc sources include:
- Lean beef and poultry
- Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds
- Chickpeas and black beans
- Cashews and almonds
Foods to minimize before surgery:
- Processed foods high in sodium (cause water retention)
- Refined sugars and sweets (increase inflammation)
- Fried foods and trans fats (slows healing)
- Gas-producing foods (beans, cabbage, carbonated drinks)
These dietary adjustments reduce inflammation, support tissue health, and create optimal conditions for healing.
Hydration Requirements
Drink 8-10 glasses (64-80 ounces) of water daily during the two weeks before surgery. Many patients don’t realize how significantly hydration affects surgical outcomes.
Proper hydration provides multiple benefits:
- Maintains healthy skin elasticity for better healing
- Supports optimal blood circulation
- Helps regulate body temperature during anesthesia
- Reduces post-operative nausea risk
- Prevents constipation from pain medications
- Improves kidney function for medication processing
Carry a water bottle throughout the day and drink consistently rather than large amounts at once. Your urine should be pale yellow. Dark urine indicates dehydration.
Sleep and Rest Requirements
Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night leading up to your surgery date. Sleep isn’t just rest. It’s when your body performs critical immune and repair functions.
Adequate sleep provides essential benefits:
- Strengthens immune system function
- Reduces stress hormones (cortisol)
- Prepares your body for healing demands
- Improves anesthesia tolerance
- Enhances mental clarity and reduces anxiety
Establish a consistent sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake at the same times daily rather than irregular patterns. Avoid screens one hour before bedtime. Create a cool, dark, quiet sleeping environment.
Skincare Preparation
Your facial skin’s condition affects both surgical outcomes and healing quality. Start preparing your skin two weeks before surgery.
Daily skincare routine:
- Wash face twice daily with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen every morning (even on cloudy days)
- Use a fragrance-free moisturizer if your skin feels dry
- Keep skin clean and well-hydrated
What to avoid:
- Tanning beds and excessive sun exposure (two weeks before)
- New skincare products (risk of allergic reaction)
- Harsh exfoliants or chemical peels
- Retinol products (stop one week before surgery)
- Facials or spa treatments (stop one week before surgery)
Healthy, well-prepared skin heals more predictably and reduces complication risks. If you have questions about specific skincare products you use, discuss them during your pre-operative consultation.
The Week Before Surgery: Final Preparations
The final week before your rhinoplasty requires focused attention to detail. We provide a detailed pre-operative checklist during your consultation, including specific instructions about which accredited surgical facility you’ll visit.
One Week Before
Fill all prescriptions and purchase recovery supplies (cold compresses, extra pillows, saline spray, soft tissues). Prepare and freeze soft meals for easy reheating. Arrange transportation, and have someone who will drive you to stay during the procedure. Confirm someone can stay with you 24-48 hours post-surgery. Get button-up shirts that won’t pull over your head.
Three Days Before
Confirm your surgery time and facility location with our office. We perform surgeries at premier medical centers, including HonorHealth and Abrazo campuses. Verify clothing is ready: button-up shirt, loose pants, slip-on shoes. Keep enough soft foods and beverages. Arrange pillows for elevated sleeping. Charge electronic devices. Stop all remaining supplements.
Night Before
Shower thoroughly with antibacterial soap. Remove all makeup, lotion, deodorant, and hair products. Don’t apply anything to your skin after showering. Set out morning clothing and multiple alarms. Review pre-operative instructions.
Stop all food and beverages (including water) after midnight. This fasting requirement is mandatory for anesthesia safety.
Surgery Morning
Take a second shower if instructed. Don’t apply any products. Don’t wear nail polish. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and payment method. Leave jewelry, contact lenses, watches, and valuables at home.
What to Expect on Surgery Day
Understanding what happens on surgery day helps you feel prepared and confident.
Arrival and Pre-Operative Preparation
Arrive at the designated time for your rhinoplasty procedure at our surgical facility. Staff will complete the final paperwork and verify your medical information. You’ll change into a surgical gown and receive preparation for anesthesia.
Your surgeon reviews the surgical plan one final time and addresses any last-minute questions. The anesthesia team discusses your options, either local or general anesthesia, based on your personalized treatment plan.
During Your Procedure
Your rhinoplasty surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. The surgical team uses the technique discussed during your consultation (either open or closed rhinoplasty), depending on your goals and facial structure.
Our surgeons may increase or reduce the size of your nose, change the width or length of the nasal bridge or tip, reshape the nostrils, or adjust the space between the nose and lip. If necessary, excess bone or cartilage will be removed, or tissue may be added from the nose, ear, ribs, or pelvis.
Recovery and Discharge
After surgery, you’ll spend time in the recovery area before returning home the same day. Splints and nasal packing will be placed during the first few days of recovery. Sutures are typically removed within five to 10 days.
We provide detailed aftercare instructions and schedule follow-up appointments to make sure that you’re healing properly. Our team remains available to you at all times throughout your recovery journey.
We encourage patients to view rhinoplasty before and after photos during their recovery journey. Seeing gradual healing stages and final outcomes helps set realistic expectations about swelling, refinement, and final contour over the first year after surgery.
Why Choose Elite Plastic Surgery
We’re a family-owned practice led by brothers Dr. Rozbeh Torabi, Dr. Radbeh Torabi, and Dr. Ramyar Torabi, all board-certified surgeons. Dr. Rozbeh and Dr. Radbeh are board-certified plastic surgeons who perform rhinoplasty with extensive training and experience.
Our surgeons are trained with leading rhinoplasty specialists and consistently deliver natural-looking results that enhance facial harmony. We’ve helped patients from Chandler, Phoenix, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, and throughout Arizona achieve their aesthetic goals.
We offer multiple services, including primary rhinoplasty (first-time nose reshaping for cosmetic or functional concerns), revision rhinoplasty (correcting unsatisfactory results from previous surgeries), ethnic rhinoplasty (enhancing nasal appearance while preserving cultural identity), functional rhinoplasty (correcting deviated septum and breathing problems), and non-surgical nose job (injectable treatment for minor contour adjustments).
We don’t perform cookie-cutter procedures. Every surgical plan is customized to your facial structure and proportions, ethnic characteristics, breathing function needs, aesthetic goals, skin thickness and healing characteristics, and lifestyle requirements. We combine surgical precision with artistic sensibility to create results that look natural and function optimally.
While many factors affect the cost of rhinoplasty, including anesthesia, facility, and surgeon expertise, our priority is delivering long-term satisfaction and safety. We focus on achieving results that balance aesthetics and function, providing value that extends beyond pricing alone.
Prepare Confidently for Rhinoplasty Surgery in Chandler with Our Team
Preparing for surgery becomes manageable with clear guidance and an experienced surgical team. The time you invest in preparation directly translates to smoother surgery and a more comfortable recovery.
Contact Elite Plastic Surgery at (480) 291-6895 or [email protected] to schedule your consultation for rhinoplasty in Chandler, AZ. Our Chandler office serves patients throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and surrounding communities.
During consultation, one of our surgeons evaluates your nasal structure, discusses your goals, and creates a personalized surgical plan. You receive detailed preparation instructions specific to your procedure. Contact us to begin your journey toward your aesthetic goals.