Procedure prep
Fasting Before Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)
Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose, usually under a general anesthetic. Alongside the standard fasting, a key part of preparing well is stopping the medicines and supplements that increase bruising and bleeding, since the nose bruises easily.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Aspirin and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) — usually stopped beforehand, as they increase bleeding and bruising. Confirm timing with your team. See medications to stop.
- Other blood thinners (clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — need a clear plan; confirm with your surgeon.
- Supplements — fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, ginseng and high-dose garlic can thin the blood; many surgeons ask you to stop these a couple of weeks before.
- Diabetes and blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a sip of water. See diabetes tablets.
When this surgery may be delayed
- A cold, blocked nose, sinus or skin infection around the nose
- Fever, a new cough, or a chest infection
- Recent use of blood-thinning medicines or supplements not stopped as advised
- Very high blood pressure
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and your insurance or clinic paperwork
- A current list of all your medicines, supplements, doses, and allergies
- Any imaging or clinic photos and your consent paperwork
- A button-up top so you don't pull clothing over your face afterward
- A ride home and someone to stay with you
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Will I have a splint on my nose, and packing inside — for how long?
- Which supplements and painkillers must I stop, and when?
- How much bruising and swelling should I expect, and for how long?
- When will I see the early result, and when is it final?
- What can't I do afterward (blowing my nose, glasses, exercise)?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need to stop fish oil and vitamin E before a nose job?
Supplements like fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo and high-dose garlic can thin the blood, which increases bleeding and bruising — and the nose and eyes bruise easily. Most surgeons ask you to stop them, along with aspirin and anti-inflammatories, for a week or two before rhinoplasty. Always tell your surgeon everything you take.
Will I have black eyes after rhinoplasty?
Bruising and swelling around the eyes and nose are common after rhinoplasty, especially if the nasal bones are reshaped, and can last a couple of weeks. Stopping blood-thinning medicines and supplements beforehand, and keeping your head elevated afterward, helps reduce it.
When will I see the final result of my nose surgery?
You'll see a change once the splint comes off after about a week, but swelling settles slowly. The early shape keeps refining over months, and the truly final result — especially at the tip — can take up to a year. Patience is part of the process.