Many people would like to have a rhinoplasty, either for cosmetic or health reasons, but often become timid at the idea because they are unsure of what the recovery will be like. Actually, recovery from a nose job may not be nearly as bad as you may have imagined it. Let’s discuss what rhinoplasty recovery is actually like so that you will know what to expect.
The first day or two after
In most cases, you will be required to stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring. For the first few days, you will likely want to take the pain medication prescribed to you by your surgeon. This will help ease any of the discomfort you might be feeling.
It is advised that you take up to two weeks off work to ensure you have the time to rest and let your body heal. Some people choose to take even longer off from work because they experience bruising and swelling. By the third or fourth day, you may be able to switch to over the counter pain medications to manage your discomfort.
Congestion
More annoying than any pain, congestion is one of the side effects of rhinoplasty. That’s because the inside of the nose will likely swell a great deal in the wake of a procedure. While the inner nasal walls are swollen, you may have trouble breathing.
However, congestion should start clearing up within a few weeks of the surgery. That’s because the swelling will slowly go down.
Irritation may occur, especially at night when you are trying to sleep. There are some things you can do and things you can avoid in order to ensure your nose heals as quickly as possible. If you follow these directions, you should find it much easier to avoid the irritation.
Tips for rhinoplasty recovery
- Use a saline spray to keep the inside of your nose moist.
- Use an ointment if one has been given to you by the surgeon. If your nose is dry and becoming irritated, talk to your surgeon about getting an ointment to keep it moist during healing.
- Do not blow your nose until your surgeon has given you clearance to do so.
The follow up
Depending on your procedure and how it was done, some of the things you may need consider after the surgery are:
- Having a cast on your nose
- Stitches that need to be removed around a week or a week and a half later.
- Bruising that will vary depending on your own body and that will fade in a week or two.
If you have a reason for why you need a nose job, then do not let your fear stand in the way. Recovery usually only takes a week or two at the most and any discomfort you may experience can be managed with prescription or over the counter medication.
If you have questions or concerns about rhinoplasty see your local doctor who will arrange for you to see a nose surgeon.