Patients having surgery are often concerned with privacy. Cosmetic surgery in particular is an extremely personal decision. Some patients tell family and friends about their surgery and some patients tell absolutely no one. All patients can expect strict confidentiality in regards to their medical care. Additionally, a private waiting area is available to patients that prefer not to wait in the main reception area during their early postoperative period.
Patients are asleep and comfortable during surgical procedures. Most commonly, this is achieved using intravenous sedation. Patients wake up very soon after surgery is completed. Intravenous sedation is a type of anesthesia, sometimes called "twilight anesthesia" therefore, all patients must have a responsible adult stay with them through the night following surgery and patients may not drive for 24 hours after their procedure.
Restrictions from work are generally 1 to 2 weeks for minor surgery and 2 to 3 weeks for more extensive surgery or multiple procedures. It is important to avoid bending, lifting, and straining during this postoperative period.
Aerobic activities should be avoided for at least 2 weeks following surgery. Any activity that potentially increases your blood pressure and heart rate will increase the amount of time it takes for postoperative swelling to resolve. Additionally, contact sports should be avoided for 6 weeks following nasal surgery.
Most surgical procedures are done on an ambulatory basis. Since you will go home after receiving sedation, you will need to make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home, stay with you overnight, and drive you to our office for your first postoperative appointment the next morning. Patients having surgery must stay in the immediate Winston-Salem area overnight, within 30 minutes of our office.
Postoperative bruising and swelling begins to resolve at the end of the first week. Full resolution of bruising or swelling may take 2 to 3 weeks. However, you may camouflage bruising fairly easily with makeup and our esthetician is available for a post-surgical consultation.
After any surgical procedure some discomfort can be expected. All patients are provided with pain medication in the event that it is needed. Our patients sometimes use this prescription medication for 2 to 3 days after surgery and then switch to extra strength Tylenol. Patients often report very little discomfort after surgery.