Rhinoplasty is popularly known as a nose job. It is a very complex surgery that requires extensive experience and a facial plastic surgeon’s skilled hand. There are two types of surgery that one can get, cosmetic surgery or reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic surgery alters the nose’s appearance, and reconstructive surgery restores the nose’s function and form. If you chose to get a nose job, ensure that you get it from a certified plastic surgeon. Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure that lasts for about one and a half hours to three hours. Listed below are tips to have a smooth nose job recovery.
Protect Your Nose
Once you have undergone surgery, you will have to ensure that your nose is protected at all times during the recovery period. Your nose will be vulnerable, so it can easily get injured. If you get hit by anything on your nose, or you fall in your face, it will backtrack your recovery time. If the injury is severe, you may have to undergo another surgery to rectify the damage. Therefore, avoid indulging in any strenuous activities and exercise during your recovery period.
Ensure that your nose is safeguarded when you get back to your routine. Ensure that your nose is well protected until you have fully recovered.
Take Time Off Work
Before you book your nose job appointment, ensure that you have taken at least a week off work so you can fully rest and allow yourself time to recover. It is essential to take time off because you get sufficient time to relax and rest, which will speed up your recovery time. You will also have enough time to adjust to your new look and get to feel like yourself. After surgery, your nose will be a bit swollen and bruised, but that bulkiness will go down in a week. There might be a bit of bruising still visible after a week, but it will not be anything makeup cannot conceal.
Swelling
As aforementioned, after your nose job, your nose will be swollen. So when you take time off for recovery, use a cold compress ice pack to make the swelling subside. The significant swelling will go down in a week, but in some instances, you may have a minor swell that could last up to a year before it subsides completely. If the pain is persistent, or you have used an ice pack compress, and the swelling has not gone down, contact your surgeon to recommend what to use.
Self Care
Have a self-care routine during your recovery period. Ensure you are well hydrated because drinking a lot of water helps your body heal. Get sufficient sleep and rest during the first week after your nose job to ensure your body is well-rested. While the recovery period may be boring and even draining, ensure that you do things that cheer you up. Relax and indulge in non-taxing activities, like reading your favorite book, watching a movie, or listening to uplifting music.
Before your surgery, ensure that you have already planned how you will spend your time during recovery. Take baths instead of showers to avoid getting your bandages wet. Use a damp cloth to clean your face, as it will ensure your bandages stay fresh. Your bandages will be taken out by your surgeon, probably after the first week of your surgery.
Follow Up Appointments
Your surgeon often lets you know when you need to go back for a follow-up checkup after your surgery. It could be a day or two after the surgery. It is essential to go to all the follow-up appointments during your recovery period. Depending on the kind of rhinoplasty performed, your surgeon may want to remove stitching or packing materials from your nose. Your surgeon monitors your healing process during the follow-up appointments to ensure that your nose is healing how it is supposed to, and they also check to ensure the swelling is subsiding. Therefore, ensure you do not miss any appointments.
Dry Throat
During the first few days after your surgery, you will not breathe through your nose, so you will have to breathe through your mouth. Doing this will probably cause you to have a dry throat. To manage your dry throat, ensure that you have stocked on throat lozenges for temporary relief, soothing teas, especially those with honey, and a humidifier next to your bed. Make sure you drink enough water as it will significantly help with the dry throat.
Avoid Taking Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Unless your surgeon has specifically prescribed it, avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medication. Anti-inflammatory medication can increase your blood flow and swelling, which could slow down your recovery or lead to bleeding.
Ensure that you also avoid taking painkillers or any other medication that your surgeon has not approved. You will experience discomfort and pain during the first week of recovery after your surgery. Your surgeon will prescribe medication that you should take post-op. Ensure you stick to the given dosage because not doing so could hinder your recovery.
Take Walks
Instead of indulging in intense exercise during your recovery, take walks. Walking will increase circulation in your entire body gently, and because the fluid will be moving in your body, your nose will start healing. It also prevents fluid buildup and swelling in your body and significantly reduces stress. Increased heart rate and breathing from your walk ensure sufficient oxygen flow in your body, which helps speed up the healing process.
Generally, having a smooth nose job recovery is quite simple. Ensure you do everything that your surgeon instructs you to do. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always ask during your consultation. If your pain is persistent or your swelling does not go down, ensure that you get in touch with your surgeon. Ensure that the surgeon who does your rhinoplasty in New Jersey is certified and experienced.
