Studies suggest that the ideal minimum age to undergo the procedure is 17 years old. This is because, in this age group, the facial bone structures are almost entirely formed, with very few changes in the future. Candidates for the procedure are people who:
- they have a desire to improve some aspect of the nose’s appearance;
- suffered some trauma (or infection) that changed the shape of their noses;
- had a congenital disability (such as cleft lip) corrected when they were younger and want to refine the results;
- they felt that their noses changed shape with aging, with the tip being drooped, for example;
- They suffer from the continual feeling of a stuffy nose, and treatment with nasal sprays does not lastingly improve the blockage.
How Is The Preparation For Rhinoplasty?
In addition to anamnesis and clinical and laboratory tests, the preoperative period of rhinoplasty or nose surgery (ทำ ดั้ง which is the term in Thai) requires 8-hour absolute fasting for food and beverages, including water. Thus, in the period before the operation, the patient cannot even chew gum. Fasting is necessary to avoid complications during anesthesia.
Ten days before the procedure, it is forbidden to take anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin and AAS (or any substance containing salicylic acid, such as Engov®). The same recommendation applies to natural medications. As these drugs are antiplatelet agents, they increase bleeding during surgery.
In the 04 days before the procedure, alcoholic beverages should not be ingested. Alcohol dehydrates the skin and worsens the healing process. Also, mixing alcohol and medication is contraindicated. Regarding cigarettes, it is necessary to stop smoking as soon as possible.
On the day of surgery, you must go to the hospital without earrings, rings, piercings, or any metallic accessories that can be removed. This is because the electric scalpel used during the procedure throws electricity into the patient’s body, and these objects can cause burns. Glasses, contact lenses, and mobile orthodontic appliances should also be removed.
It is necessary to take all exams and evaluations from other specialists, such as the cardiologist. Do not forget to show up with the requested advance notice to admit your hospital and start the preoperative preparations calmly.
Important tip: buy the medications that will be used in the postoperative period before surgery. In this way, you facilitate your routine in a period when rest is essential.