Nasal Surgery: Preparing for Surgery

You’re scheduled to have nasal surgery. Nasal surgery may be done at your doctor’s office, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. Your doctor will tell you how to prepare for surgery. You’ll also discuss what type of anesthesia you’ll receive and when you can expect to return home.

Before Surgery

Here are a few things you can do to prepare for surgery:

• Tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking. Ask if you should take any the morning of surgery.

• Don’t take any medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen during the 2 weeks before surgery.

• Don’t smoke.

• Don’t drink or eat after midnight the night before surgery.

• Be certain you don’t have a cold or sunburn the day of surgery.

• Don’t wear makeup or contact lenses to surgery.

• Arrange to have an adult family member or friend drive you home after surgery if needed.

• Be aware that you may have to spend the night in the hospital, though this is rare.

Anesthesia

You’ll be given local anesthesia, monitored anesthesia care, or general anesthesia to keep you pain-free during surgery.

• With local anesthesia, you’re awake during surgery. Your nose and the area around it will be numbed. You may be given medication to make you drowsy. Expect to hear tapping, grinding, or scraping sounds during the surgery.

• With monitored anesthesia care, an anesthesiologist gives you medication through an IV (intravenous) line to keep you drowsy or lightly asleep during surgery. You can still expect to hear some sounds during surgery.

• With general anesthesia, an anesthesiologist gives you medication throughout surgery that keeps you fully asleep. This medication is given through an IV in your arm. A tube will be placed down your throat to help you breathe during surgery.