Rhinoplasty - information, surgeons, prices

Browse the site to learn more about rhinoplasty recovery, including how to find the rhinoplasty surgeons who offer the guaranteed lowest price for all your nose surgery needs.

Following surgery, a splint is usually applied to help the nose maintain its new shape. This type of dressing is usually kept on the nose for 5-7 days to stabilize the nose and control swelling. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints may also be placed inside the nose to stabilize the septum, however, these are always small and removed within a few days after surgery. All dressings, splints, and stitches will be removed by one, or at most two, weeks after surgery.

After a rhinoplasty procedure, particularly during the first twenty-four hours, the face will feel puffy, the nose may ache, and patients may experience a dull headache. But rest assured, any discomfort can easily be controlled with pain medication prescribed by the surgeon! Patients should plan to stay in bed with their head elevated for the first day of recovery.

Swelling and bruising around the eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce the swelling and provide relief from discomfort. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks or so, though subtle swelling-unnoticeable to anyone but the patient and surgeon may remain up to several months.

A little bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, and feelings of stuffiness are common during the first few weeks. Patients are typically asked not to blow their nose for a week or so while the tissues heal.

Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to work (provided it’s not too physical) or school a week or so after the procedure. Rhinoplasty patients are usually able to resume normal activities within a few weeks. The surgeon will provide more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities.

After the procedure, patients can expect the following:

• The inside of the nose will be packed with special gauze.
  
• The bridge of the nose will be covered with a splint, commonly made of plaster of Paris, in order to minimize swelling and keep the nose in its new position while it heals.
  
• Tape may be placed over the nose to keep the dressings in place.
  
• Nurses will record vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing pattern and blood pressure, will inspect dressings for signs of bleeding, and will replace the outside dressing if necessary.
  
• Breathing through the mouth is necessary until the packing gauze is removed.
  
• Swelling and bruising will occur, mainly around the eyes. The swelling should go down in a few days, and the bruising should go away in the first week or two.
  
• It will be necessary to wait four or five hours before eating and drinking, however, once these few hours are over, there are no restrictions on what the patient may eat.
  
• Getting up out of bed and moving around is possible a few hours after the operation.

• Avoiding strenuous activity (jogging, swimming, bending, sexual relations or any activity that increases blood pressure) is necessary for two to three weeks after the procedure.
  
• Avoiding hitting or rubbing the nose, or getting it sunburned, is required for eight weeks.
  
• It is necessary to be gentle when washing the face and hair or using cosmetics.

Patients may wear contact lenses when they feel like it, but glasses are another story. When the splint is off, glasses will have to be taped to the forehead or propped on the cheeks for another six to seven weeks, until the nose is completely healed.

The surgeon will schedule frequent follow-up visits in the months after surgery, in order to check on the healing progress. Any unusual symptoms between visits should be reported to the surgeon, and patients should feel free to contact the surgeon with any questions relating to what they can or cannot do.

Following surgery, the face will be bruised and swollen and it is easy for patient’s to forget that soon they will be looking much better! It is natural for patients to feel slightly depressed in the days following the procedure, however this is understandable, and soon will pass, with a new sense of confidence and self-esteem! Day by day, the nose will begin to look better, patient’s spirits will improve, and within a week or two, they will no longer look as if they’ve just had surgery.

Healing can be a slow and gradual process, and some subtle swelling (usually only apparent to the patient and surgeon) may be present for months, especially in the tip.

It is common for family and friends to say they don’t see a major difference in the nose, however, patients should keep in mind why they had the surgery and whether they met their goals. Full results aren’t always visible until months after the surgery, and rhinoplasty is the most common and successful cosmetic procedure! It is also important to take note that full benefits of rhinoplasty aren’t always seen until a year after the procedure as the last 1 or 2 percent of swelling of the nose generally disappears very slowly.

Some guidelines for recovering from rhinoplasty at home include:

• Make an appointment for a check-up with the surgeon after about one week.

• Be sure to ask what medications are for (if they are dispensed at the hospital) and how often, and for how long they must be taken.
  
• When antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to take the whole course.
  
• Hold the head upright as much as possible.
  
• Bandages and packing gauze may be left in place for up to a week or so, then the surgeon will remove the dressing and take out the nasal packs.
  
• Follow all instructions on how to best keep the nose clean.
  
• Avoid blowing the nose.
  
• Contact the surgeon immediately if there are any sudden nosebleeds.
  
• Plan to be off work for around two weeks.
  
• Avoid contact sports (or any activities that may knock the nose) for about six weeks.
  
• Broken nasal bones may hurt or ache for up to eight weeks. Discuss appropriate pain relief with the surgeon and remember that aspirin can increase the risk of nosebleeds.

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