Rhinoplasty Recovery – Dealing with Pain and Other Effects
Rhinoplasty, a nose job as it is commonly known, is a popular surgical procedure that can increase or decrease the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip, narrow the nostrils, change your nose’s angle and correct breathing problems. If you’re considering rhinoplasty in Gainesville, consider the following information regarding rhinoplasty recovery.
Pain – Rhinoplasty patients can expect to experience some pain immediately following their procedure. Most patients report that they only need to take prescription pain relievers for a few days following surgery and can move on to using milder, over-the-counter pain relievers within a week of the procedure. In most cases, rhinoplasty causes discomfort to your nose and sinuses for about three weeks.
Nasal Splints and Packing – During the initial recovery process, your nose may be covered in bandages and protected by a splint. Your sinuses may be packed with gauze. The splint and bandages will be removed after about a week, and the packing will come out at around the same time or shortly after.
Bruising and Inflammation – Facial bruising and swelling are common after rhinoplasty. You should expect to spend at least a week with bruising around your eyes.
Avoid Bumps and Injury – Injuring your nose during the recovery process can cause setbacks and complications. Much of your nasal tissue will be swollen and tender during your rhinoplasty recovery, so any injury will be painful as well as detrimental to your recovery. Take care to avoid bumping your nose and consult Dr. Allison immediately if you do injure yourself during recovery.
Get Plenty of Rest – Getting enough rest is important for proper recovery. Rest doesn’t necessarily mean spending your days in bed, but it does mean allowing yourself the space and time you need to relax, as well as avoiding strenuous activity.
Be Patient – During your first postoperative visit, all dressings, casts and sutures will be removed. Although your nose will still be swollen, you will immediately recognize the changes made during your rhinoplasty. After the first three weeks, the majority of your swelling will be gone however some swelling will remain in minimal amounts for months after the surgery.
To learn more about rhinoplasty recovery in Gainesville, contact David W. Allison, MD at 703-754-8228 or website to schedule a surgery consultation with Dr. Allison.