You’ve had your consultation for a rhinoplasty in Tucson, you’ve made your decision, and you’ve scheduled your surgery. Now all there is to do is wait … right? Actually, there are some steps you can take right now to make your recuperation as easy, comfortable, and brief as possible. Start with brushing up on instructions for caring for yourself after surgery.
Hygiene
On your surgery day, your surgeon provides you with thorough instructions for caring for your incisions and your nose. Therefore, the tips here are just guidelines that will likely help you understand what to expect after surgery. It’s important to keep your nose moist, usually with a saline solution. This prevents the delicate nasal tissues from drying out and can help speed healing. It also makes the entire process more comfortable. To help combat swelling, use a cold compress (not ice) against your nose as often as feels comfortable. Finally—and this guideline is often the toughest to follow—don’t blow your nose! Doing so can put trauma on your incisions.
Activity
Since rhinoplasty affects such a localized area of the body, it’s not necessary to be laid up in bed after your surgery. In fact, it’s important to engage in light activity as soon as possible, as being immobile for too long can lead to blood clots. There are certain activity restrictions you should be mindful of. For example, be sure to avoid bending over and lifting heavy objects for at least a week. You should also stay away from contact sports and other activities that present a high likelihood of damaging the nose. Your rhinoplasty recuperation is a great time to catch up on that Netflix series you’ve been meaning to watch or finally conquer the Sunday crossword.
Sleeping
Believe it or not, there’s a right way to sleep after rhinoplasty. Keeping your head elevated isn’t a guideline specific to your waking hours. It’s also important to keep your head propped up overnight, either with a stack of pillows or by sleeping in a recliner. This helps to minimize swelling and also keeps your incisions healing at a healthy rate. It’s also a good idea to sleep alone to avoid bumping your nose against your partner in the night. Finally, avoid sleeping on your side. This can also help to minimize swelling and ensure you feel comfortable and pain-free in the morning.
Rhinoplasty has 1 of the most notably easy recovery processes in the world of plastic surgery. But that doesn’t mean you can return to your regular activities immediately, either. If you have a specific question about rhinoplasty recovery, or if you simply want to know more about what to expect, I welcome you to reach out to my practice. We’ll help you navigate your own recuperation whenever you have concerns.
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