Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that changes the aesthetic or functional features of your nose. For this reason, you need to pay attention to certain points in the recovery process after rhinoplasty. Because when you carefully go through the healing phase, the results will be perfect. In this context, we have compiled 12 factors that you should pay attention to in the rhinoplasty recovery process. By paying attention to these factors, you can achieve perfect results. At the same time, you can experience a fast recovery process.
Recovery Process After Rhinoplasty
If we look at the recovery process after rhinoplasty, we can say that it consists of 6 stages. In this context, the recovery process is 1st week, 2nd week, 3-4th week, 6th week, 3-6 months and 1 year. If we examine these stages;
Week 1: Initial Recovery Period
- Swelling and Bruising: Swelling and bruising in the nose and around the eyes are quite common in the first 48 hours after rhinoplasty. Swelling may become more pronounced, especially under the eyes.
- Tape and Cast: Your surgeon may apply a cast or bandage to the nose. This helps stabilize the nose and supports the healing process.
- Pain and Discomfort: There may be mild pain, a feeling of pressure or discomfort around the nose. It can usually be controlled with prescription painkillers.
- Breathing:Your nose may become blocked, which can make breathing difficult. However, this is generally temporary.
- Bed Rest:Sleeping with your head elevated for the first 1-2 days will help reduce swelling. Rest is very important.
- Intranasal Bleeding and Crusting: You may experience some minor nosebleeds for a few days, and this is completely normal.
- Tape and Cast Change: Your surgeon may remove the nasal cast usually by the end of the 7th day. However, swelling inside the nose will continue.
Week 2: Healing Continues
- Swelling Begins to Decrease:2. Towards the end of the week, the swelling and bruising in the nose will significantly decrease, and the bruising on the face will mostly disappear.
- Cleaning the Inside of the Nose: Your doctor may give you instructions for cleaning the inside of the nose and the crusts. Keeping the nostrils clean in this way will reduce the risk of infection.
- Less Pain: Pain usually decreases. However, tenderness and tightness may persist. In this context, sensitivity on the nose may still persist and the pain will be much milder.
- Improvement in Appearance: The external shape of the nose may still be swollen, but some patients may achieve a better appearance during this period.
Week 3-4: Swelling Decreases, Results Begin to Become Clear
- Reduction of Swelling:Swelling in the nose will greatly decrease over the course of 3-4 weeks. However, there may still be slight swelling at the tip of the nose and the root of the nose.
- Clearer Appearance:During this period, the nose begins to take its final shape and your doctor can show you the new shape of your nose more clearly.
- Social Interaction:If you have returned to work, you can walk outside comfortably. The bruising is mostly gone, but tenderness around the nose may still persist.
- Physical Activity:Light exercises can be started, but activities that will put pressure on the nose (such as lying on the nose or taking blows) should be avoided.
Week 6: Full Recovery Period
- Complete Nose Shape is Visible:By the end of the 6th week, the nose begins to take shape to a large extent and the swelling around the nose has largely disappeared. However, it may still take some time for it to take its final shape.
- Physical Activity:Light sports and exercises can be done. However, direct pressure on the nose area should be avoided. In addition, high-paced activities and impacts should definitely be avoided.
- Skin Sensitivity Decreases:The skin on the nose becomes less sensitive. However, some areas may still feel numb.
- Tip of the Nose: Swelling at the tip of the nose may also occur at this stage. However, this will decrease over time.
3-6 Months: The Nose Begins to Take Shape and Heal
- Final Shape:3. After 1 month, the nose becomes very close to its operational shape. However, the final aesthetic results of the nose are usually not fully apparent until 6 months.
- Complete Reduction of Swelling:Most of the swelling disappears during this period. However, there may still be a small amount of swelling at the tip of the nose.
- Cartilage and Tissue Healing: Cartilages and tissues are morebegins to heal. This helps the nose gain a more natural and smooth appearance.
- Nose Tip Parts: The tip of the nose becomes more prominent and takes on a natural shape, while healing under the skin continues.
1 Year: Results Are Fully Visible
- Full Results:Full results after rhinoplasty are usually clear at the end of one year. The nose continues to take shape throughout the year after surgery. The final shape emerges during this period.
- Cartilage and Skin Adaptation: The cartilage and skin inside the nose completely heal and adapt to the new shape of the nose.
- Swelling and Numbness Pass: Swelling and numbness throughout the nose completely pass. If there is still swelling, bruising or numbness, you may need to see your doctor.
- Aesthetic Results:The results are now clear and the aesthetic appearance of your nose is permanent. However, minor swelling or tenderness may still occur from time to time.
What Should Be Done to Speed Up Recovery After Rhinoplasty?
There are certain points to consider during the recovery process after rhinoplasty. These points will speed up the person’s recovery process and also help the person have a comfortable and relaxed recovery process. In this context, here are the things to do to speed up the recovery phase of rhinoplasty;
- Avoid Blowing Your Nose
Blowing your nose after rhinoplasty, applying pressure to the nose area, and excessive movement on the skin can increase swelling and make recovery more difficult. It can also cause damage to the stitches in the nose. For this reason, when cleaning your nose, you should not press on your skin with slow and gentle movements. In addition, you should not force the crusts inside the nose and clean your nose in accordance with your doctor’s recommendations.
- Stay Away from Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Unless Prescribed
The drugs used during the healing process should be taken with great care. Anti-inflammatory drugs are of great importance, especially at this point. Because these types of drugs (NSAIDs) can increase the risk of bleeding and cause swelling in the nose to increase. Therefore, if you must use these types of drugs, use them under the supervision of a doctor.
- Do not take painkillers or other medications without your surgeon’s approval
Painkillers or other medications can help the healing process. However, taking these medications without your surgeon’s approval can be dangerous. Therefore, be sure to use these medications under the supervision of a doctor. Otherwise, it can make healing more difficult or lead to complications.
- Take Time to Rest and Recover
Rest is the most important part of recovery after rhinoplasty. For this reason, you should get enough sleep and rest so that your body can focus on the healing process. At this point, definitely try to sleep regularly.
- Go Outside and Take a Walk
After rhinoplasty, taking light walks can speed up the healing process. For this reason, try to walk at regular intervals. However, you should avoid excessive exercise and activities that will put pressure on the nose area.
- Take a Shower Instead of a Bath
For the first few Try to take showers instead of long baths during the week. This way, you can protect your nose by preventing your head from getting wet. You can also prevent swelling from increasing by keeping your head elevated.
- Eat Healthy and Drink Plenty of Water
A healthy and balanced diet greatly speeds up the healing process. Therefore, consuming foods rich in vitamins and minerals can support the body’s repair. You can also keep your skin moist by drinking plenty of water.
- Stay Away from Black Pepper and Spicy Foods
Black pepper, spices and acidic foods can irritate the nose due to their structure and prevent healing.
It can negatively affect the swelling process. For this reason, you should avoid such spicy foods as much as possible.
- Reduce Salt Intake and Limit Salt Consumption
Salt can generally increase water retention in the body and cause swelling to continue. For this reason, after rhinoplasty, you can limit salt intake and ensure that swelling goes away more quickly.
- Pay Attention to Your Post-Operative Appointments
Be careful not to miss appointments recommended by your doctor after rhinoplasty. For this reason, go to your appointments without fail during the periods determined by your doctor. In this way, your recovery process can be monitored correctly and any complications can be detected early.
- Keep Your Head as Elevated as Possible While Resting
You should rest with your head elevated for the first few weeks. In this way, you can help reduce swelling by balancing the blood flow to the head area. In addition, any possible swelling will heal faster.
- Be Patient During the Healing Process
Finally, since the rhinoplasty healing process is a phase that requires patience, be as patient as possible. In this way, you can reduce the psychological pressure during the healing process and allow your body to heal. At the same time, you will be psychologically relaxed.
FAQ
After rhinoplasty operation, you can consume foods such as Pineapple, Blueberry, Kiwi, Ginger, Walnut and Almond. This will speed up your healing process.
It usually takes a long time for the swelling to subside after rhinoplasty. The main reason for this is that the nose is located in the centre of the face and has many vessels and connective tissues. Therefore, inflammation and bleeding in the tissues after rhinoplasty may cause swelling to persist for a long time.
