After rhinoplasty surgery, many people can tell that their nose looks different. They may also feel something is off about the way they look or smell. These reactions are natural to rhinoplasty and other nose surgeries and do not mean anything wrong with the procedure.
The Rhinoplasty Procedure
The rhinoplasty surgery typically takes one to three hours to perform. First, the surgeon makes incisions inside the nose and removes or reshapes bone, cartilage, and/or tissue to change its shape. The surgeon can also add cartilage grafts or nasal implants to augment the structure.
Most rhinoplasty surgery options take place under general anesthesia, so the patient is unresponsive during surgery and will not feel any pain or discomfort while it takes place.
Following rhinoplasty surgery, nasal packing is used inside the nose to help maintain its shape while it initially heals. It also helps keep blood from accumulating inside, which can slow the healing process.
Nasal packing is temporary, and the surgeon will remove it shortly after the procedure or within a few days.
The Aftermath of Rhinoplasty Surgery
The initial recovery period for rhinoplasty can take three to five days, depending on how invasive the procedure was. After that, patients should rest and relax and stay away from strenuous activities for a few weeks.
The patient may feel some pain during recovery, but over-the-counter medications such as TYLENOL® can help ease discomfort.
Some rhino-plastic surgeries may require patients to wear a splint for several weeks after rhinoplasty surgery to prevent swelling.
What Can You Do and Not Do After the Procedure?
It would help if you did not drink through a straw during rhinoplasty surgery recovery, as this can cause the blood inside the nasal cavity to run. Instead, drinking from a cup is an acceptable alternative and will help you avoid accidentally swallowing or inhaling blood clots that may result in choking or coughing.
You should also avoid blowing your nose for rhinoplasty recovery, as this can cause the blood in the nasal cavity to trickle into the throat. It’s best to wait until after rhinoplasty surgery before you blow your nose.
Rhinoplasty Recovery At-Home Tips
When you have rhinoplasty surgery, it is a good idea to sleep on your back with your head elevated. Sleeping on your stomach makes it harder to breathe and puts you at greater risk for health and result-quality complications.
You must be careful while recovering from rhinoplasty and be sure that you do not bump into anything. These accidents could cause blood to get in your nose and slow down your recovery time, or it can cause other issues. Be safe with the healing process so that you do not have any complications.
If you are having trouble coming to terms with rhinoplasty and don’t feel like yourself anymore, try discussing your feelings and worries with a trusted friend or family member. They may offer support and advice or refer you to a therapist for rhinoplasty counseling.
Also, if you are having a hard time dealing with the rhinoplasty surgery recovery process on your own, go to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can advise you about resources that will help you deal with post-operative depression or rhinoplasty complications.