Rhinoplasty is a popular procedure both men and women go through today. The surgical procedure involves reshaping the structures of the nose and nasal cavities to make them both attractive and functional. It’s an effective way to improve the symmetry of the facial features and ensure the nose is proportional to the entire face. Generally, the procedure can make a difference in your overall look to boost your self-confidence.
The nose is one of the structures comprising the complex anatomy of the face. It plays a crucial role in your respiratory system. Any surgical procedure involving the nose can be complicated. Its success will depend on various factors, including the surgeon’s experience and self-care during the recovery period.
Similar to any surgical procedure, expect some downtime from rhinoplasty. Even before going through the surgery, it’s crucial to know about the recovery process, ensuring you’re familiar with the proper steps to take for a smooth and hassle-free recovery and healing. If you’re planning to get the procedure and you’re in the state of Texas, checking out reliable Houston rhinoplasty surgeons is a good starting point.
After the surgery, you’re likely to experience swelling and bruising. You’ll need to spend two to three weeks recovering. While it’s crucial to allow the natural healing phase, here are several tips to support a speedy recovery:
- Allot Time To Rest For The First Seven To Ten Days
If you have a busy schedule, make it a priority to take a break during the initial seven to ten days. Any vigorous activity, such as sports or a full-body workout, can put undue pressure on your body and increase your chances of hitting your nose, all of which might delay your recovery.
Although some believe they don’t need a lengthy time away from work after getting a rhinoplasty, you better think twice. It’s best to rest at least ten days off from work for recovery. If you return to work soon, it can affect and prolong your recovery time.
- Apply A Pack Of Frozen Peas Or Crushed Ice To Minimize The Swelling
During the initial three days after rhinoplasty, apply a bag of frozen peas or a pack of crushed ice over the eye and cheek area since it’s where most of the swelling and bruising occurs. The cold will promote the constriction of the blood vessels to reduce the swelling, allowing your nose to heal faster.
- Avoid Using Anti-inflammatory Medications
If you want to manage the discomfort after nose surgery effectively, it’s best to consult your doctor regarding pain management options and only use the recommended medication.
Although it might seem appropriate to use anti-inflammatory medications, avoid using them. These medications can dilate the blood vessels, which will increase both the swelling and bleeding and prolong the healing period.
- Follow All Post-Operative Appointments
After the procedure, you have to carefully attend all the post-operative appointments so your doctor can carefully monitor your recovery. Even if you feel good, don’t skip your appointments. If you miss out on these follow-up appointments, you’ll never know if a problem might be present, potentially delaying full recovery.
- Avoid Spicy Food
The initial three weeks after rhinoplasty is the most crucial phase of your recovery. If any irritation to the nose or nasal passages occurs, it’s likely to result in complications. With this in mind, you need to avoid any spicy foods. Remember that spices such as chili powder can irritate the sinuses and worsen the swelling. If any irritation to your nose occurs, it can delay your recovery.
- Limit Your Salt Intake
Swelling will likely occur after the procedure. One way to prevent it from getting worse is to limit your salt intake since it increases fluid retention. With this in mind, consider following a low-sodium diet during the initial two weeks after the procedure. It’s best to stick with a diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and high-fiber foods.
- Stick With A Healthy Diet And Keep Your Body Hydrated
After the procedure, make sure you follow a healthy diet. Remember that your nutritional status will help speed up your recovery. With this in mind, consume various foods containing essential nutrients to support a speedy recovery. These foods include leafy green vegetables, healthy fats, organ meats, and cruciferous vegetables, among others.
You also need to ramp up your water intake throughout the day. Water helps hasten your recovery by flushing out toxins from anesthetics while also reducing the chances of infection.
- Keep Your Head Elevated At Night
After a rhinoplasty, sleeping on the side can be uncomfortable and might delay your recovery by causing further swelling and bruising or even displacing your nose. One way to avoid this is to keep your head in an elevated position during nighttime for six weeks after the procedure.
Propping your head over two or three pillows or utilizing a foam wedge will work best. An option is to sleep in a recliner. If you tend to toss and turn while sleeping, you can keep your head in place using a travel pillow or protect your head with rolled-up towels.
- Take Daily Walks
An activity you can engage in during the recovery is walking. It promotes circulation throughout the body, allowing your nose to heal. As you go out for daily walks, it also helps minimize stress while preventing swelling or fluid buildup in your body.
Final Thoughts
Rhinoplasty can provide an aesthetic boost to your face while improving your self-confidence. Expect a lengthy recovery period once you decide to go through the procedure. Luckily, the tips in this blog post can make the healing from the surgical procedure more comfortable and ensure speedy recovery while getting the best results.
