Your Best Outcome

There are a number of things you can do to optimise your overall facial plastic surgery experience and outcome.

We discuss several recommendations in your consultations before surgery and also stay in touch with you regularly afterwards to help keep you on track for the smoothest recovery process.

While everyone’s health and support levels are unique – here are some things you can do:

Before surgery

Avoid the following two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery:

• ASPIRIN or aspirin-based products eg, Cardiprin, Cartia, ibuprofen (Nurofen) & naproxen (Naprosyn/Naprogesic).

• Some complimentary medicines such as – vitamin E, Garlic tablets, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Horseradish, Evening Primrose Oil, St John’s Wort, Flaxseed oil, Fish oil tablets, (Omega 3 & 6), turmeric, grape seed extract, and Co-enzyme Q10.

• EXCESS CAFFEINE – coffee, teas and Coke (no more than 2 cups/cans per day), green tea, & drinks containing Guarana.  Withdrawal from a high caffeine intake can give you headaches on the day of fasting and after the operation.

• EXCESS ALCOHOL slows the healing process significantly
• SMOKING – Preferably you won’t be smoking at all, however it’s essential to stop two weeks prior to surgery. Your doctor may refuse surgery if you continue.

Preparation is key to an uneventful recovery. Wherever possible, try to have meals prepared in advance and organise for help with any domestic matters. We will also supply you with a list of items to have available to help in the weeks post-surgery.

After surgery

• Rest as much as possible to decrease the risk of bleeding, infection and excessive swelling.
• No office or external work for two weeks, however you may work from home. Minimal housework; gentle walking is ok.
• No exercise or sports for two weeks post-op. After two weeks you can start exercising with a graduated plan.
• You may shower but NOT too hot.  If you have an external nasal cast, keep it dry.
• No heavy sunglasses/reading glasses should rest on the bridge of the nose for six weeks if the nasal bones have been affected as part of your rhinoplasty surgery. Consider wearing contact lenses.
• We offer LED light treatments that may help speed up the healing process.
• POSTURE – Try to keep your head up as much as possible.
  • It is better to sit up than lie down and don’t stoop over
  • Sleep with several pillows to help prop you up. Please do not lie flat. These measures help promote venous drainage and decreased swelling.
• EATING – Softer foods may help a tender throat. Very spicy food may irritate the nose. Please keep a low sodium diet to prevent any water retention or swelling.

We help prepare you by providing detailed instructions that are specific to the surgery you have undertaken. For example, following a rhinoplasty, we will advise on everything from correctly blowing your nose, to sneezing and daily nasal care.

Post-Op Appointments

• First appointment – between four to seven days post-surgery. Dr Marcells’ Nurse will see you and remove any sutures/splints or packs. For rhinoplasty your cast will stay on for up to 14 days.
• Follow up appointments – up to two to three weeks post-surgery I assess your progress and then organize your future appointments somewhere between three to six months further.

It’s important to plan for your surgery and recovery process. After surgery, don’t do too much too soon. Follow instructions and be assured that we will be staying in touch.  It is very rewarding to work together for your best outcome.

For more information or to book a consultation, contact us

Before-and-After Photos: 

1. (Main image, top photos). One year and nine months after a primary rhinoplasty procedure, that was performed using Preservation and Structural techniques. Our patient had typical concerns: breathing difficulties, a bump, bulbous drooping tip which plunged with smiling. Now at almost two years post-op her nose looks completely natural and elegant. It is straight and defined on the front view. The bump is gone. The bulbous droopy tip is nicely refined and supported and no longer plunges with smiling. The nostril shape is neat, and importantly, her breathing is excellent. 
2. This shows the detailed changes in the Right Lateral view of our patient at only two weeks after a primary rhinoplasty, that was performed using Preservation and Structural techniques. There is no bruising and minimal swelling. The result is natural-looking and elegant. Our patient had typical concerns: breathing issues, a large bump with a bulbous droopy tip and excessive nostril view. She particularly didn’t like that her tip plunged with smiling and exacerbated all these features.
   At only two weeks post-op the large bump is gone. The bulbous droopy tip is nicely refined and supported. The nostril shape is neat and the excessive nostril view corrected. The tip no longer plunges with smiling. The nose is slim and straight on the front view.

Outcomes experienced by one person do not necessarily reflect what another person may experience.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks which we discuss in detail as well as answering any of your questions in consultation.