Rhinoplasty is a surgical operation that allows you to change some parts of the nose such as bone, skin or cartilage to modify its size, shape or the proportions of this area of our face. Although this surgery is well known aesthetically since it is used to improve the appearance of a person, rhinoplasty is an operation that is also performed to repair deformities caused by an injury, reduce respiratory distress or correct a congenital anomaly.
However, as with other surgical operations, rhinoplasty can mainly cause bleeding and swelling in the nose after surgery so it is necessary that after the following days, we carry out a series of recommendations so that it heals correctly. If you want to know the care for the postoperative rhinoplasty, keep reading the following lines of this article of.
How long the postoperative period of rhinoplasty lasts
As we have advanced, rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery where you can remodel some parts of the nose such as cartilage, skin or bone to modify its shape and / or size and improve our appearance or solve some health problems, such as a deformity caused by an injury or a congenital anomaly that makes it difficult to breathe.
The problem with this type of surgical operation, especially an area as complex as the nose, is that after surgery a period of time of care and rest is required both to relieve the symptoms such as swelling and bleeding caused by this method, and to heal properly. However, how long can the postoperative period of rhinoplasty last?
In general, the postoperative period of a rhinoplasty usually lasts about 4 weeks and goes through three phases during that period:
- The first occurs during the first 2 days after the operation in which it is recommended that you avoid any type of activity.
- The second phase is between these 48 hours and a week after surgery where the symptoms produced by the operation will appear.
- And finally, the third phase usually lasts between 2 and 4 weeks after rhinoplasty, that is, between 1 and 3 weeks after the previous phase, in which the swelling will have decreased considerably and the patient will feel fully recovered.
How to deflate the nose after a rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is a surgical operation that can cause some symptoms such as inflammation or swelling, bruising under the eyes, nasal obstruction and headache after its completion. Although as we have indicated, these symptoms (especially swelling) can last between 2 and 4 weeks, there are some methods that can help you combat these discomforts.
Next, we will give you some recommendations to reduce inflammation of the nose after a rhinoplasty:
- Apply compresses with cold water: as we have indicated, after 48 hours after rhinoplasty is when the nose begins to swell. Therefore, it is important that during those 2 days you apply cold compresses to prevent the nose and face from becoming too inflamed. However, it is important that you only apply them to the areas surrounding the nose such as the forehead, cheeks and eyes. Never do it directly in the nose as it could cause it to become much more inflamed than it should.
- Try to have your head elevated: Another recommendation to reduce swelling is to try to keep your head elevated whenever you can. When you go to rest or sleep, place a few pillows under your head to maintain the position.
- Consume only the medications assigned by the doctor: In the event that your head hurts a lot, you have a nasal obstruction or the inflammation is too annoying, the doctor may prescribe some analgesic and decongestant treatments to help reduce the pain.
In this other article from you can find more indications on How to reduce inflammation of the nose after a rhinoplasty.
Postoperative rhinoplasty care
In addition to the above tips to help you reduce the inflammation caused by this surgical operation, below we will give you some recommendations so that the tissues of the nose heal correctly and the result is what you had expected. Follow the following care for the postoperative period of rhinoplasty:
- Follow a diet rich in vegetables and fruits: these foods are high in fiber, which can help you avoid digestive problems such as constipation. This is important during the postoperative period since constipation can cause tension and therefore, that you unconsciously exert pressure on the nose.
- Take a bath instead of showering: it is recommended that you use the bathtub to avoid wetting the bandages of the nose. In the event that you have to use the shower, it is important that you do not wet the operated area and wash the surroundings of the nose with cold water.
- Do not talk much or gesticulate during the first few days: any sudden movement in the face after the operation can be especially painful.
- Never blow your nose: up to 2-3 weeks after rhinoplasty it will be vitally important that you avoid that gesture since you will only be able to hurt yourself and slow down the healing of the nose.
- Don't sunbathe until 3 months later: use both creams and sunscreens that contain at least a factor of 30 sun protection. Do not wear sunglasses during that period as it could put pressure on the nose.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke: this must be done during the first 2 weeks, as it will only hinder the healing process. You should also not take foods that are very hot or need to be chewed too much.
- Brush your teeth very gently: this will considerably limit the movements of the upper lip.
- Don't wear overhead garments: Instead of these outfits, wear clothes that can be opened from the front or back, such as blouses, shirts, or jackets.
- Follow the care for healing: depending on the case, the doctor will give you some guidelines to heal the area of the operation and you will have to follow them to the letter so that the wound is not complicated or a very marked scar remains.
