Nasal Surgery: Preparing for Surgery

Nasal surgery may be done at your healthcare provider’s office, a surgery center, or a hospital. You will be told how to get ready for surgery. Follow these directions carefully. And be sure you have your questions answered before the procedure.

Before surgery

Follow all the instructions you are given. Plus:

• Tell your healthcare provider about any medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicines, herbs, and supplements. You may need to stop taking some or all of them before surgery.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you have a pacemaker or other implantable medical device.

• Sign a form consenting to the surgery. Be certain all of your questions are answered before you sign.

• Ask your healthcare provider if you should stop any aspirin or ibuprofen before surgery.

• Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before surgery.

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

• Have an adult family member or friend drive you home after surgery.

You may spend the night in the hospital. But this is uncommon. Your healthcare provider can talk about this possibility with you. 

Anesthesia

You will be given medicine to keep you from feeling pain during surgery. This is called anesthesia. Your healthcare provider will talk with you about the type you will have. You may have 1 of 3 types.

• Local anesthesia. This numbs the nose and area around it. You will remain awake. Expect to hear noises and see movement during the surgery.

• Monitored anesthesia care. This makes you drowsy or lightly asleep during surgery. You can still expect to hear some sounds.

• General anesthesia. This puts you into a state like deep sleep during surgery. You will hear and remember nothing.