Prepare for Rhinoplasty: Pre-Operative Checklist
This is your list to check off after shopping (shopping list is available). It is in no way complete, as all lists will be different due to personal tastes and needs.
___ Clean your house - or have it cleaned
___ Unless you will have someone to cook, shop for recovery food and treats like pudding, Jell-O, frozen dinners; do this beforehand or cook your own and freeze it.
___ Take out the trash, recyclables, etc. so you don't have to worry about it
___ Have all of your laundry taken care of
___ if you are having someone take care of you, make a list for them to make it easier (bills, thermostat settings, errands).
___ Purchase all of your medications, vitamins and dressings beforehand in case your pharmacy is in short supply.
___ Purchase a Thermometer if you don't have one, it is imperative you check your temperature regularly for for any fever. Many times, a high fever is a sign of infection.
___ Place all medications either in a weekly pill case or in labeled containers, by day and time if need be.
___ Purchase your Arnica Montana, Bromelain, Vitamedica, etc. (CosmeticSurgeryShop.com) but ask your doctor first.
___ Have lots of movies, books, magazines or videogames on hand.
___ A laptop is a great thing to have during recovery
___ If no lap top, maybe a Gameboy or a Playstation/Nintendo set up near you - you will get bored lying in bed all day.
___ Have someone watch your dog, cat, children during your initial recovery time
___ If you can't have them cared for, tend to their needs beforehand, i.e. put cans of food on the counter with the can opener so you don't have to reach for it. Change the litter box as well. You don't want to expose yourself to more germs than you have to as well as bending over is not allowed.
___ Have lots of fluffy pillows on hand, however adjustable, home care pillows are also a plus.
___ A comfortable recliner is a great post-operative bed, if not your bed is perfectly fine, just keep your upper body elevated.
___ Have a bucket with a lid at your bedside and on the ride home - essential. This is in case you get sick on the way home and keeps you from bending over into the toilet.
___ A nightstand with all of your medications, ample light, bottled water, a few packages of crackers, remote control (with new batteries) & the phone (fully charged)
___ Extra blankets, anesthesia can give you the chills after surgery
___ Buy ice packs, bags of frozen peas
___ A heating pad, hot water bottle or microwaveable pack is great for a sore back (which you may get from sleeping elevated for long periods)
___ A "go-fer" - a significant other or an older child will suffice
___ Have some crackers, Cheeze-its or Goldfish to help alleviate nausea - especially on the ride home - bring a bottle of water to for the ride home. Sipping cool water helps alleviate nausea as well as gets rid of the taste in your mouth if you do vomit.
___ Place anything you may need at hip level so that you have no need to reach or bend down. This means canned and dry goods in the kitchen and toiletries in the bathroom. Bending over is bad for you.
___ Have your robe and slippers (or several pair of thick socks) nearby
___ Have a few comfortable oversized shirts that open from the front on hand, as well as some sweat pants or pajama bottoms. This way you don't have to struggle with pulling garments over your head.
___ Have a hand mirror nearby so you don't have to get up to preen.
___ If you have long hair, a few scrunchies are great to put your hair back with to keep it out of your face, unknotted and out of the way.
___ Purchase some hand and make-up removal towelettes so you can freshen up without having to get out of your bed or chair
___ Have a good moisturizer on hand.
___ A box of Kleenex is great to have on hand, you may become emotional from of your medications.
___ Make time for yourself before your surgery; pour a bath, light some candles, listen to some music - relax. Try to gather your thoughts and soothe your mind.
___ The night before you will be asked to wash with Dial antibacterial or Hibiclens soap to help rid your body of its naturally occurring Staph on the skin's surface.
___ Wash your hair the night before surgery - it may be a long time before you get to do that again.
___ Remove any fingernail and toenail polish so that they will be able to better determine if you are getting enough oxygen during surgery. The nails turn blue-ish from lack of oxygen and reddish with too much carbon dioxide. Although there are oximeters for this purpose it's still a good precaution.
___ Talk to your spouse or family about any concerns that you may have, they may have some insights or questions you haven't thought of - and they may be experiencing pre-op anxiety as well.
___ Ask your surgeon for valium or ask if you may take an over the counter (OTC) sleeping medication, but sure you ask your surgeon first. These may help with tense muscles and tense minds. It can be very difficult to sleep.
___ Black out your windows so that when you do get to sleep - regardless of the hours - you can stay asleep.
___ If you think television, video games and reading are eventually going to bore you or stress your eyes - have a discman on hand with your favorite relaxing CDs.
___ Have fresh film or a disposable "post-op photo" camera on hand. Especially if you are considering documenting your procedure online (on a personal site or a Cosmetic Surgery site like this one)
___ Have your journal and a few fresh, fully inked pens ready if you are wanting to document your post-operative thoughts in writing. Or it may be easier to type it into a lap top or speak into a miniature recorder. Remember fresh batteries!
___ A body pillow is quite helpful, especially when you are allowed to sleep without major elevation.
___ Just in case the lights go out, have a flash light on your nightstand.
___ If you don't have a laptop and you have online friends who are wanting to hear from you - have your significant other post or email them with your recovery news. They may worry about you if they haven't heard from you in a week. Give him/her a list of the addresses and URLs
___ Have an answering machine connected to the phone next to your recovery area. Getting woken up when you just got to sleep can severely hamper your rest and recovery. Don't forget to turn down the sound and turn off the ringer.
___ If you decide to look at yourself while you are bruised, please remember that the bruising is very temporary and will subside. The bruising is worsened by the injections of local anesthetic and epinephrine around the nose and eye area. do not panic, in a few days you will notice that the bruises getting better.
___ Last but not least, RELAX. If you are stressed out it can really affect your recovery. Try to remember that you will heal, you will be less sore and that you are going to look great. Just be patient. Rhinoplasty takes a long time to fully reap the benefits. Your swelling will go down, don't worry.
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