Choosing to have a rhinoplasty is a difficult decision. Should I get it done? What surgeon should I use? What can I expect? Now that you have answered these questions and scheduled your procedure, a whole new set of questions arises. This article will explain what to expect in the following weeks, what activities to avoid and possible dangers during recovery.
The first 24 hours are vital to recovery. Patients will be instructed to return home and engage in as little activity as possible for the next seven days. Although many will be prescribed a pain medication, extra-strength Tylenol will suffice. Bleeding and swelling of the face is common to this procedure, allow a week for the swelling to subside. During this first week your doctor may encourage you to walk around the house but to avoid bending at the waist, specifically to lift anything. At night find an extra 2-3 pillows to elevate your head to reduce the incidence of bleeding.
The following weeks will find the patient feeling much improved yet still experiencing a slight tenderness around the nasal area. During this time the patient can slowly start to resume more strenuous activities but avoiding contact sports for 3-4 months after the procedure. Since it takes at least six weeks for the bones in the nose to heal, listen to your body and avoid serious sports and getting a sunburn during this time.
Although many enter the procedure confident in their decision to get a rhinoplasty, the recovery time finds many patients experiencing a mild depression due to pain, discomfort and physical appearance. If this should happen to you, speak with your doctor about the best medical options to counteract this.
Several months after the procedure you will start to notice and enjoy the new nose that your surgeon has constructed for you. After so much recovery time it will be a relief to see that it was all worth the pain. However there are patients who decide that, despite hours spent with the surgeon, their nose is not what they had expected it to look like. At this point it is time to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss a revision. If he or she doesn’t agree with your decision then seek a second opinion immediately! Check online forums for patients in your area to find what surgeons they used for revision.
Despite the pain and special care that the average rhinoplasty patient will have to experience up to several months after the procedure, most would agree that their new nose has given them a new outlook on life and they would recommend the procedure to other people.
Faster Recovery From Rhinoplasty Surgery
The worst part of undergoing a Rhinoplasty, in most cases, is the recovery period. This seems to be true, since most patients are extremely excited and anxious to view the final result of the surgery. Fortunately, there are a few things that can be done to both speed up the recovery process and ensure proper healing.
What To Do To Ensure A Speedy Recovery
One of the most important things to do to enjoy a speedy recovery is to make sure to get adequate rest. Our bodies complete the majority of the healing process while we sleep. Attempting to return to normal activities too soon after surgery could slow down the recovery process and in very unfortunate cases, lead to injury. In addition, refrain from touching your nose more than is absolutely necessary. This may be difficult for some patients, but excessive rubbing or contact could re-open wounds and lead to continued swelling. Disturbing the wounds, even slightly, will greatly slow down the healing process and may even lead to the skin not adhering to the bone and cartilage properly. During the healing process, it is also important to avoid products that may thin the blood or increase blood flow. Many pain killers, such as aspirin and Motrin, and certain herbs and vitamins, like Vitamin E, will thin the blood and discourage proper clotting. Also, any activity or exercise that increases the heart rate and blood flow, could cause delayed bleeding to occur. In some cases, delayed bleeding will lead blood to pool and require surgical draining. If surgical draining is required, the recovery period could be extended exponentially.
How To Support Proper Healing During The Recovery Process
To ensure proper healing, learn how to effectively change the tape over the surgery site in place. Your surgeon should show you how to do this after surgery, and it is very important to follow his or her instructions as closely as possible. Proper taping allows the skin to adhere to the bone and cartilage smoothly and look as natural as possible. Also, it is best to keep the head elevated during healing and to sleep on your back with your head propped up on a few pillows until the nose is completely healed. This will also help to avoid accidental bumping and unnecessary contact during sleep. If the surgery site is properly cared for, the Rhinoplasty patient can enjoy a speedy recovery period and enjoy their new look as soon as possible.