Either following a referral from your GP or after deciding you wish to consider a rhinoplasty, you should contact our office to make an appointment to see Mr Patel.
The first consultations takes approximately 30 minutes.
During the consultation a medical history will be taken and you will be examined possibly including endoscopy of the inside of the nose using local anaesthetic spray.
This procedure is not painful and helps us to find the underlying causes of difficulties in breathing.
Mr Patel will take clinical photographs of you. With the use of a morphing software programme Mr Patel can show you likely outcomes of surgery. These images will be sent to you so you can take time to evaluate the changes.
At this stage, an initial surgical plan can be discussed. This is a great opportunity of discussing your particular preferences and desires in detail, and a chance for Mr Patel to show you what he thinks can be achieved. Discussions will also take place about the risks of surgery.
It is ideal when the patient brings a relative or close friend as advice given during the consultation can easily be forgotten. Questions on any aspects of the proposed surgery are encouraged and answered in full.
The patient is then advised to consider the proposed surgery and indeed seek further opinions, to complete the due diligence before making a decision to proceed with surgery.
The next stage is to arrange a follow up video consultation and go through the proposed surgery and for Mr Patel to answer any questions.
If the patient wishes to proceed with surgery, contact by email or phone is made with Mr Patel’s office to discuss possible dates. If the procedure is to be partly covered by medical insurance (Mr Patel is registered with all UK medical insurance companies), procedure codes will be given and the patient is advised to obtain authorisation for the operation and post-op consultations/procedures. A full quotation for the aesthetic component can be supplied on request. Please note that any shortfall of payment due to failure to pay by the insurance company will require the patient to settle all outstanding fees.
If there is a long delay between the last consultation and the surgical procedure (greater than three months), a preoperative consultation is advised so that any last minute questions can be answered and the nature of the procedure can be re-discussed.
On the day of surgery, please bring all admission documents, any imaging studies such as a CT or MRI scans and all current medications.
Although most operations are done as day cases, some patients need to stay overnight, so bring an appropriate amount of clothing.
You will arrive at the hospital around 0700 (times may vary) and the operation will usually be done the same morning.
The nursing staff will admit you to the ward and go through some administrative and nursing procedures.
Mr Patel and his anaesthetist will arrive approximately 30 minutes prior to the operation time and go through the procedure, ask you to sign consent forms.
On average, the actual surgery takes 2 – 3 hours.
After the operation, you will be taken to the Recovery Suite. Once you are fully alert, you will then return to the Ward.
You will be reviewed postoperatively and arrangements for departure from the hospital will be discussed. You will stay for a minimum of six hours to ensure full recovery from the anaesthesia has occurred.
All postoperative medications such as painkillers, antibiotics and antibiotic ointment will be given to you on departure.
There will be a variable amount of bleeding and nasal discharge after the surgery.
A nasal dressing can be applied to the base of the nose for the first 48 hours
You will have a cast over the nose and possibly biodegradable nasal packs inside your nose. This could result in a degree of nasal blockage. Some of the packing material may come out over the next few days, which is normal.
You are advised to keep the nasal cast dry when bathing. Arrangements will be made for your review appointment about a week after the operation.
- Bruising increases over one to two days after surgery but normally reduces significantly by Day 7.
- You may develop a sore throat after surgery. This is due to mild ulceration resulting from the anaesthetic process.
- Take painkillers regularly for the first two to three days and then take painkiller medication as required.
- Be liberal with the use of antibiotic ointment intranasally.
- Take painkillers before the outpatient visit in order to minimise discomfort when removing the cast and sutures.
- Please keep all post-operative consultations to ensure that healing has taken place to minimise the chances of complications.