Whether you have surgery scheduled and on the books or you're still doing your research, it's very helpful to know what to expect after rhinoplasty. Every surgery comes with its own unique set of preparation and recovery guidelines, along with some universal advice, and rhinoplasty is no different.
Your Rhinoplasty Pre-Operative Checklist
Being prepared for your rhinoplasty both physically and mentally can help ensure a speedy recovery and set you on a path to ideal outcomes and great results.
Preparing Your Body
To minimize bruising after rhinoplasty and lower the risk of bleeding during surgery, it's important to follow guidelines on certain medications to avoid and some supplements to start. You should avoid taking over-the-counter meds that can thin the blood, like aspirin and ibuprofen, for at least two weeks before surgery. We highly recommend taking a multivitamin to boost your immune system starting about two weeks before surgery. Starting two days before, you should begin taking an arnica supplement, which can greatly reduce bruising.
Gathering Your Care Supplies
While it's important to always have someone available for last-minute needs after surgery, it's best to purchase as much up front as possible to be prepared. Prescriptions can be filled two or three days in advance, so you have pain medications ready as soon as you get home from surgery. To care for the nasal area, you will want to have cotton swabs, hydrogen peroxide, medical tape, preferably paper tape, and some gauze squares on hand.
Asking For Help
This is one of the hard parts for some people, but you will need to be driven home after surgery, and you will also need some extra help around the house for at least the first 24 hours or longer. Proper healing is only possible with good rest, so even though you may not be in great pain, your body needs rest to heal. Leisurely walking is okay after about three days, but other vigorous activities should be avoided. Showering and sleeping will also be slightly modified after surgery.
Arranging Your Healing Environment
Setting up a comfortable environment at home where you can rest and recuperate is another important aspect of preparation. Gather entertainment such as books or magazines and plan what to do as you relax post-surgery. You will want to eat a light diet after rhinoplasty, which includes lots of fluids and mild, simple foods. Irritation of the nose during eating can occur if foods are too spicy or difficult to chew, which you will want to avoid.
Prepare For The Day
You will be instructed to stop eating around 8 p.m. the night before surgery, and you will receive guidance from your surgeon on any necessary medication changes. The night before and the morning of, you must thoroughly cleanse the face with a specific cleanser. You should wear comfortable clothes, no makeup, no hair accessories, and no jewelry for your surgical appointment.
Life After Rhinoplasty
After rhinoplasty, you will experience a period of recovery and adjustment; the initial recovery phase lasts about one to two weeks. Patients should closely follow their surgeon's postoperative instructions and maintain open communication throughout the recovery process.
Immediate Postoperative Period
After rhinoplasty, patients typically experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the nose and possibly the eyes. The surgeon will place a splint or cast on the nose to provide support and protect the surgical site. The cast or splint is typically removed within the first week during a follow-up appointment.
Manage Pain and Swelling
If you are in pain, take your pain meds to ensure that your body isn't working harder than it needs to be to facilitate healing. It's also very important to ice the nose and face or use cold compresses as much as possible. This will help soothe pain and calm swelling, which will promote healing. You should also plan on sleeping on your back with your head elevated for about a week after surgery to ensure that no unnecessary pressure is put on the face and drainage is happening.
Other Considerations
Along with great preparation and aftercare, one of the most important ways to ensure outstanding outcomes after rhinoplasty is to seek an expert like Dr. Frederic Newman. Dr. Newman is one of the top rhinoplasty surgeons in the country and can provide exceptional surgical skill and premier patient care.
