Rhinoplasty, which is the most effective way of shaping the nose, allows people to have the nose of their dreams. It also gives effective results in solving some important functional problems. The recovery period after this important surgery may differ depending on the procedure performed and the general condition of the patients. However, there are some important tips you can apply to shorten the rhinoplasty recovery period. Do you want to recover faster after the procedure? Rhinoplasty recovery timeline and all the details that need to be done day by day are in our article.
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Day by Day Rhinoplasty Recovery
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. After the operation, the patients are kept under observation for a few hours and are discharged if there is no other problem. You can stand up and move around only 24 hours after the surgery. However, you still need to take at least 1 week off from school or work.
After the surgery, bruises and swellings occur in the nose area and on your face. This is normal and there is nothing to worry about. In the first days, you should take care to keep your head up and apply ice to the areas with swelling. Bruises and swellings will be significantly reduced one week after the surgery.
The splints and stitches placed on your nose during the surgery are removed one week later. After these procedures, very mild bruises and swellings may remain in the nose area. You can feel more comfortable in public by covering them with make-up. The general details of the rhinoplasty recovery process are as mentioned.
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Have Realistic Expectations!
It is very important to have accurate and realistic expectations regarding the rhinoplasty recovery process. Thus the process goes more smoothly for you.
A significant part of the candidates who consider rhinoplasty think that this surgery is very painful. However, most of the patients who come out of the surgery state that they do not have pain or have mild pain. Painkillers prescribed to patients with pain ensure that this period goes smoothly.
Since there isn’t much pain in the rhinoplasty recovery period, it is not considered a serious problem. The key issue here is the feeling of tightness. You will feel choked for a few days after the surgery. It will be difficult for a while to breathe and inhale the scents around. When you want to do these, you will feel pressure in your ears. These may be a little difficult for you, but they will go away automatically in a few days.
Take care to keep your head up in the early stages of the rhinoplasty recovery period. This way, you can breathe a little easier. Besides, by doing this, you contribute to the elimination of the swellings in a shorter time.
Read Also: Are the Results of Rhinoplasty Surgery Long-Lasting?
Rhinoplasty Recovery Timeline
You can return to your normal life only 1-2 weeks after rhinoplasty surgery. However, it cannot be said that you are completely recovered during this period. The average recovery time for rhinoplasty is 12 months. This period may seem very long to you, but it has different stages in itself. The recovery period after the surgery can be listed as follows:
- First Week: The splint in your nose is removed. If you do not have a lot of bruises around the eyes, you can go out in public with light make-up. In this period, you may continue your light daily activities within the knowledge of your doctor.
- Second Week: Swelling and bruises in the nose and facial area will be significantly recovered.
- Third-Fourth Week: You can start doing exercises such as swimming, jogging, and cycling.
- Sixth Week: The healing of bones is completed to a great extent. You can wear glasses, blow your nose and start weight training.
- 3-6 Months: All of the numbness and similar abnormal feelings in the nose and related area go away.
- Year 1: The exact shape of the nose is best revealed.
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11 Proven Tips for Rhinoplasty Recovery
You can make use of some tips to accelerate the rhinoplasty recovery period and to make it smoother. Thanks to these, you recover and you return to your daily life in a shorter time. Here are some tips to consider:
1. Don’t Be Impatient
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure and is quite complex. The recovery process may be different for each patient. In the end, everyone’s nose structure and procedures performed vary. Therefore, rhinoplasty recovery time may be different depending on the person. You must be patient during this period.
2. Don’t Expose to the Sun
After the rhinoplasty, your nose area becomes more sensitive to sunlight. Exposure to the sun at the beginning of the rhinoplasty recovery period will cause sunburns in the nose area. Besides, it can cause undesirable effects such as darkening of the scar and increased swelling.
3. Avoid Smoking
If you are a smoker, you should quit before the surgery. If you cannot quit, you should take a break before and after the surgery. Also, avoid smoking environments so that you do not become a passive smoker. The nicotine in cigarettes adversely affects blood flow and prolongs rhinoplasty recovery time.
4. Don’t Do Heavy Exercise
After the 6th week after the surgery, the bones recover to a great extent. Avoid heavy exercises until this period. Exercises that seem harmless, such as stretching, bending, and lifting, cause nasal swelling and adversely affect the process. Remember that you must get approval from your doctor to return to your exercise routine.
5. Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions
Consider the instructions given by your doctor so that the rhinoplasty recovery period goes smoothly. You can find very detailed articles about this period online. However, none of them can replace the instructions and advice given by your doctor. The reason is that your treatment is tailored for you. In this period, you will receive instructions on which medication to use, the frequency of having these medications, and what to do to prevent infection.
6. Don’t Wear Glasses
Glasses put pressure on your nose, regardless of their type. Stay away from glasses until the bones are completely recovered after the surgery. Wearing glasses during this period can cause swelling, bruises, and much more important problems. So much so that even the need for a re-operation may arise.
Your doctor will inform you when you can wear glasses. If you can’t see without glasses, prefer the lightest frame and wear it only when necessary. Besides, you can reduce the pressure of the glasses by placing the splint removed from your nose after the surgery under the glasses.
7. Keep Your Head Up
Rhinoplasty recovery time is closely related to which positions you keep your head after the surgery. If you lie on your side and do not keep your head up after the surgery, bruises and swelling will increase significantly. Your nose may even move from its place.
After the operation, you need to keep your head up for 6 weeks and sleep like this. You can get a few pillows under your head and support your sides as well. This way, your head stays up even while you sleep.
8. Don’t Blow
One of the effects that will appear after the operation is the feeling of tightness. This feeling can persist for several weeks and is caused by swollen nasal tissues. The feeling of tightness will create an urge to blow your nose. But don’t blow your nose.
If you feel very uncomfortable, use a saline spray to moisten the inside of the nose. Also, consider your doctor’s other recommendations on this issue.
During the rhinoplasty recovery period, the urge to sneeze may arise and it is very difficult to avoid them. But try to sneeze through your mouth. So your nose is less affected.
9. Don’t Expose to Heat
A hot soup or a steamy sauna will make you feel good and relax. However, their effect on your nose is not positive. Heat can increase swelling in your nose. This situation causes the recovery process to prolong and similar problems.
It is important to stick to a diet with cold foods after surgery. It is also necessary to avoid hot showers and prefer warm showers.
10. Apply Cold
Apply cold compresses to the points specified by your doctor to reduce swelling in the 3 days after the surgery. Do not apply cold directly to your nose. Instead, do it on your cheeks and areas near the nose.
11. Rest
Another point to be considered to shorten the rhinoplasty recovery period is related to rest. Let your body rest by sleeping 7-8 hours a day. Also, don’t tire yourself too much during the day.
The Importance of Appointments After Rhinoplasty
Your doctor will inform you when you should go for checks after the surgery. Your first appointment will probably be a few days after surgery. Do not miss these appointments.
There are different reasons for appointments in the rhinoplasty recovery period. Removal of splints and sutures placed during surgery are among these reasons. Besides, it is also thanks to these appointments that your doctor can follow the period closely and make sure that everything is going well.
CONCLUSION
The rhinoplasty recovery period can be affected by what you do and don’t do. Accordingly, the process sometimes lengthens, sometimes shortens. The experience of the specialist surgeons at Cosmeticium ensures that the recovery period is short and smooth. You can contact our doctors immediately to have the nose of your dreams and to ensure that the healing process goes smoothly.
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