Tips for Rhinoplasty Recovery

Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery performed for either cosmetic or medical reasons or sometimes both. Approximately 200,000 rhinoplasty procedures are done annually in the US – which puts it in the top five of all plastic surgery procedures performed each year.

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a “nose job,” surgically changes the shape of the nose. The size, shape, or proportions of your nose can be altered by rhinoplasty.

Your nose is made of bone, cartilage, and skin. A rhinoplasty can change one or all of those elements. Depending on the reason for the rhinoplasty, some of these procedures can be covered by insurance (such as if it is needed for breathing).

How to Effectively Recover from Rhinoplasty

Like any other surgery, rhinoplasty carries risks, preoperative procedures, and postoperative procedures. Additionally, there is a recovery period that’s worth learning about beforehand.

Following rhinoplasty surgery, you can expect your eyes to be bruised for several days up to two weeks. Swelling is also typically occurs.

You can help your recovery process go more smoothly by following a few tips.

1. Follow your doctor’s instructions. Your instructions should include a detailed plan of what activities to avoid and what medicines you can take. Regardless of how you feel about the instructions you are given, your recovery will go much more smoothly if you follow them strictly. If you have questions – ask your doctor’s office.
2. Keep your head elevated when you are sleeping. Doing this will help to keep bruising and swelling at a minimum. Some offices even recommend six weeks of sleeping with your head higher than usual.
3. Get adequate rest. While you may be uncomfortable due to the surgery, it’s still essential to get plenty of sleep and to allow someone else to help with tasks during the day. Doing this allows your body to focus on the healing process.
4. Practice good nutrition. Even when not recovering from a procedure, eating a well-balanced diet is a good idea. It is even more vital while recovering because your body needs a good balance of nutrients to heal.
5. Cold compresses are good for swelling. Don’t put them directly on your nose! Place them on your cheeks instead. If you don’t have ice packs, a package of frozen peas can be a good substitute.
6. Exercise is out. Your doctor will tell you when you can return to your exercise routine. Typically, that is at least six weeks following the procedure. That’s because your nose can be injured more easily immediately following surgery and it will swell when your heart rate increases.
7. Don’t blow! You will likely feel congested for a few weeks after surgery. That is a side-effect of the swollen tissue. You should avoid blowing your nose and only sneeze through your mouth.
8. Use contact lenses if you have them. Glasses put pressure on your nose, which can hinder your healing process. Try to wear contact lenses instead. If you don’t have contacts, only wear the lightest glasses frames and only wear them when absolutely necessary.

Final Thoughts

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common forms of plastic surgery. But it’s still important that you take care after the procedure. If you have any questions about what you should or should not be doing, contact your plastic surgeon’s office.