You may want to see the results of a rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) procedure right away, but the recovery process will take some time. During this time, a number of steps can be taken that will speed up the process and ensure proper healing.
Recovery time after rhinoplasty
The average recovery time from rhinoplasty is one year. This may seem like a long time, but it becomes much more manageable when it is broken down into a time frame. The following steps in recovery from nasal surgery can vary from patient to patient, but usually something like this happens:
1 week after rhinoplasty:The splint applied during the rhinoplasty surgery can be removed and you can go outside without showing noticeable signs of the nose surgery, as long as there are no bruises around the eyes. This may take 2 weeks. It is safe to resume daily life.
2 weeks after rhinoplasty:Most of the swelling on the face after the rhinoplasty surgery has shrunk and most of the bruising has gone away.
3-4 weeks after rhinoplasty:You can safely return to normal physical activities such as jogging, swimming, and cycling.
6 weeks after rhinoplasty:Bones are stable, resistance training (weight lifting) can be resumed, glasses can be worn, and nose can be touched. Minimal injuries are no longer scary.
3-6 months after rhinoplasty:Numbness and unusual sensations in the nose should disappear.
1 year after rhinoplasty:The healing process is complete - the swelling should completely disappear.
Is there any way to speed up this timeline after nose surgery? In fact, there are many things you can do to make your recovery from nose surgery run smoother. We recommend the following:
1. Listen to your doctor
First of all, follow your doctor's instructions. You can read 100 of these articles online about rhinoplasty recovery, but nothing beats the information you get from your plastic surgeon. You will receive specific instructions on what medications to take, when to take them, how to care for the surgery site to prevent infection, and when you need to return for another check-up.
2. Listen to your body
Your plastic surgeon will be able to see how your rhinoplasty recovery goes from the outside, but only you will know how you are feeling. Listen to your body - if something is wrong immediately after your nose job, talk to your doctor right away.
3. Keep your head elevated for days or weeks after rhinoplasty
Sleeping on your side after rhinoplasty isn't just uncomfortable - it can shorten recovery time by preventing additional bruising and swelling. To avoid surprises after rhinoplasty surgery, you need to keep your head elevated for 6 weeks after surgery. One of the easiest ways to do this is to raise your head on two or three pillows. You can also sleep in a reclining chair. If you tend to move when you sleep, you can keep your head in place with a travel pillow or by surrounding yourself with rolled towels.
4. Use cold compresses after rhinoplasty
In the first 72 hours after nose surgery, using a cold compress can help reduce swelling. Be careful not to press the compress directly on your nose. Instead, place it on your cheeks to avoid accidentally moving bones or cartilage.
5. Get plenty of rest after rhinoplasty
The congestion you feel after nasal surgery can make it difficult to fall asleep, but rest is a vital part of the recovery process. Your body uses energy to heal itself, and getting a sound seven to eight hours of sleep each night gives your body time to recover that energy.6. Maintain a healthy diet after rhinoplasty
What does eating vegetables have to do with recovering from nasal surgery? Very significant, actually. A balanced diet after rhinoplasty surgery will help speed up the healing process by giving the body the nutrients it needs to heal itself.
Protein is an essential building block for skin, muscle, cartilage and blood. A diet of nuts, meat, eggs, yogurt, fish, and other protein-rich foods will help your body repair damaged tissues in and around your nose.
You will also want to make sure that you are getting a lot of vitamins in your diet, namely vitamin A and vitamin C. Vitamin A, which is usually found in dark, green leaves like spinach and kale, is a great immune booster that can help you fightwith infections after rhinoplasty surgery. Vitamin C plays an important role in the regeneration of collagen, a protein that connects your skin tissues. Citrus fruits, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli are good sources of vitamin C.
7. Remain calm after rhinoplasty surgery
Sauna, hot showers, and the heat of the sun can be a pleasant pastime, but they are not so good for your puffy nose. The heat will cause the tissues of the nose to swell even more, so it is best to stick to a cool, roomy diet, take a warm shower, and stay out of the heat for several weeks after the rhinoplasty procedure.
8. Do not blow your nose abruptly and profusely after rhinoplasty.
After a nose job, you may have difficulty breathing for several weeks, maybe even for several months. This sensation is caused by swollen nasal tissues. Resist the urge to blow your nose and talk to your doctor about using nasal saline to gently moisturize your nasal passages until the swelling subsides. You can resume actively blowing your nose 6 weeks after surgery.
How about sneezing? You can't just sneeze. Try sneezing through your mouth instead of your nose. It sounds disgusting, but it is better than damaging the fragile nasal passages and slowing down the recovery time of rhinoplasty.
9. Avoid vigorous exercise after rhinoplasty
In most patients, it takes about 6 weeks for the nasal bones to heal after surgery. Strenuous exercise should be avoided during this time. Even innocuous movements such as stretching, lifting or bending can increase the swelling of the nose. Wait for the doctor to give you the green light to return to your normal activities after rhinoplasty before you begin to ease your workout.
10. Don't wear glasses after rhinoplasty
Sunglasses, reading glasses, prescription glasses - anything that puts pressure on the nose as it heals can cause additional bruising, swelling, or even dents that will require a second rhinoplasty.
Your plastic surgeon will advise you when to start wearing glasses again. In the meantime, switch to contact lenses if you can. If you can't, wear the lightest frames possible, and only wear them when absolutely necessary. If necessary, you can put a splint under the glasses, the one that was on the nose after rhinoplasty. It can be used with any glasses.
11. Stay out of the sun after rhinoplasty
It is always helpful to protect the skin from too much sun exposure, but this is especially important after nose surgery. Not only does too much sun increase the nose's tendency to sunburn for several weeks and months after the procedure, but it can also cause scars to become darker and swelling more severe.
12. Don't smoke before and after rhinoplasty
Both before and after nose surgery, it is important not to smoke and, if possible, avoid secondhand smoke. Nicotine contained in tobacco products restricts blood flow, making it difficult for the body to heal itself and interfering with recovery from plastic surgery and especially nose surgery.
13. After rhinoplasty, be especially patient!
First of all, have patience. You will recover and have the rhinoplasty results you want - it just takes time. The above steps will not turn the one-year recovery process into a week-long one, but it will help speed up the processes and improve the postoperative result of rhinoplasty.
The recovery process after rhinoplasty is different for each patient. But from the moment you schedule your first rhinoplasty consultation, your doctor will accompany you every step of the way. If you have any questions about the recovery or the procedure itself, do not hesitate, call your doctor by phone or fill out the online contact form.
When it comes to revision rhinoplasty
When your nose surgery does not give the desired results, it can be a big disappointment. After spending a significant amount of money and dealing with a long and inconvenient recovery, you may face this terrible problem.
Either way: you are not alone. About a third of patients are consulted about the possibility of any correction or reoperation of the nose plasty.
The good news is that in some cases it is possible to achieve the desired appearance through non-surgical methods. But when it comes to revision rhinoplasty, follow these five steps to get ready for revision rhinoplasty.
1. Make sure your nose is completely healed after the first rhinoplasty surgery
First of all, your nose must be completely rebuilt after the first rhinoplasty in order to withstand another procedure. It usually takes an entire year to wait for a revision rhinoplasty. Premature revision surgery may not be justified as it may not resolve all postoperative problems. For this reason, it is recommended to discuss the procedure for revision of the nose only 12 months after the initial rhinoplasty.
2. Choose a new facial plastic surgeon carefully.
Revision rhinoplasty is more difficult than initial rhinoplasty as there can be many complex issues that need to be addressed with the nasal tissue already operated on. This requires a plastic surgeon with experience and knowledge to adequately address possible unforeseen problems.
Certification as a specialist is very important, but a qualified revision rhinoplasty surgeon should also actively pursue his education.
Dr. Farrior writes about himself this way: . . . . I use myself as an example so you know which doctor to look for: I have taught rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty nationally and internationally and have published numerous articles and book chapters on this topic. In 2013, I was elected President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and am the former President of the Florida FPS Society.
3. How to decide to schedule a revision rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty can be relatively simple - or extremely complex. It all depends on the following:
- What is the degree of impairment caused by the first rhinoplasty procedure?
- What is the amount of nasal septum cartilage removed during the first rhinoplasty procedure?
- What are the characteristics of your skin.
- What is the passage of the nasal airways after rhinoplasty.
The only way to know all of the above for sure is to schedule a consultation. During a physical examination, your surgeon will be able to determine if there was a significant loss of structural support during the primary rhinoplasty. If it has taken place, then often with repeated rhinoplasty, cartilage grafts have to be done. Such grafts can be obtained from the septum, which, according to rhinoplast surgeons, is the best source of material for correction.
If the septate cartilage has been previously removed or damaged, it may be necessary to harvest the cartilage from the ear or rib. Each of these types of transplants has pros and cons that will be discussed during the consultation.
4. Get complete information from your previous rhinoplast surgeon
A plastic surgeon can tell a lot just by looking at your nose. But in order to provide you with the maximum amount of information during the consultation, it is best to obtain and provide your pre-rhinoplasty photos and operational summary from a previous surgeon.
I understand that this may be an inconvenient request for some patients, but there is nothing shameful and forbidden in this. A medical record is your property that you share with your doctor, not the other way around.
5. Plan to revise the cost of rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty usually takes 2 to 5 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. It requires limiting physical activity for six weeks after surgery. Splints remain in place for eight days after surgery, and some degree of nasal congestion and swelling will occur during the same time. More information on postoperative restrictions will be discussed during the consultation.
Since the complexity and time spent on rhinoplasty is more than for the first rhinoplasty, the costs are higher. Typically, revision rhinoplasty costs 50-100% more than primary rhinoplasty.
If your new nose isn't what you hoped for, it's time to take the next step - seek professional advice.