The days leading up to your Rhinoplasty surgery, can be an exciting and anxiety provoking time. Knowing what to expect during the recovery process can help. While results will vary from patient to patient, we’re providing you with a general guideline for you to follow.
The day of your surgery, you will be going home with a splint on your nose as well as sutures. For some, the sutures will dissolve, while for others, they will have their sutures removed in about a week. Some patients may have additional splints inside their nose as well. These will be removed at your one-week post-op visit.
On the day of your surgery, you will also leave the hospital with gauze dressing beneath your nose, also known as “moustache dressing”, that you’ll need to change once it becomes saturated. Bruising and swelling will begin right away and breathing through your nose will be reduced to congestion post surgery.
We recommend sleeping with your head elevated for the first few days, avoid blowing your nose and be sure to keep your throat moist with losenges. You should also be sure to drink lots of fluids after surgery, as your throat can become dry and irritated.
As early as the next day, you can begin to clean your nose with hydrogen peroxide and then polysporin to keep the area moist. Saline spray is great to use throughout the day to reduce congestion as well. On day 2 you can start to wash your face carefully, as well as shower, as long as you do not get your splint wet.
After one week, you will return to our clinic to have your splint removed as well as sutures if required. You may also return to sleeping more comfortably at night, on your side if you wish, as long as you don’t have the tendency to roll over on to your face. For about one month, expect to see bruising and swelling, continue to refrain from strenuous exercise, from wearing your glasses and from blowing your nose. The good news is, you will now start to feel like your old self again.
At 6 weeks post-op, you can resume your regular strenuous exercise routine, playing sports and wearing glasses. However, we do recommend you avoid the sun by staying protected with a hat and sunscreen and avoid tanning for up to one-year post surgery.
Aug 11th 2017