Question: I’ve scheduled my nose job and I’m very excited by I’m also very, very nervous. Is it possible to take a sedative on the day of my surgery or even the night before?
Answer: Many plastic surgeons, and the anesthesia providers with whom they work, are willing to prescribe a sedative medication for patients who are anxious around the time of surgery. This is especially common when patients are having a procedure under local anesthesia. The sedative can be given by mouth or by IV prior to the surgery, and is often continued during the surgery by IV. Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia, so the sedative effect is less important in this scenario, but is still an option to help the patient relax prior to surgery. This should be discussed with the plastic surgeon at the initial consultation so that he/she and the appropriate anesthesia provider are aware of the patient’s concerns. Prescribing a sedative medication the night before surgery is uncommon and may not be safe for a patient who never had this class of medications before, especially unsupervised at home.