Speed Up Your Healing: 8 Must-Know Tips for Rhinoplasty Recovery
In the US alone, 22000 rhinoplasty operations are performed each year. While it may seem like a drastic surgery, many people are surprised to find it has a quick recovery time and can be relatively pain-free. So how can you benefit from this surgery?
Either for medical or cosmetic purposes, rhinoplasty can have a very positive impact on your life. Read on as we discuss everything you need to do for a quick rhinoplasty recovery.
- Take Doctors Advice
Each body and surgery is unique. You can read articles on general ways to recover, but no one will know you as well as your own doctor. That is why it is imperative to follow their advice.
There will be lots of temptations that occur getting you to ignore what they say. Going back to work early and hitting the gym when you think you feel better are two main culprits. However, the doctor will have advised against this for a reason.
Make sure you follow all guidelines on how and when to take medication. You may also have information on cleaning and dressing, which should be given care and attention. If not, you risk infection and could jeopardize the outcome.
- Take Time to Recover
Rhinoplasty is a major operation. You need to give your body time to rest, recover and heal. This means limiting any strenuous activities.
Sports are a definite no-go until your doctor has given you the all-clear. If you bump or knock your face, it could be disastrous. Even if you feel fully healed, your body may still be repairing on the inside and could be weak for some time.
- Don’t Blow Your Nose
In the early rhinoplasty recovery stages, you will feel extremely congested. Our natural human reaction to this is to blow our noses. This is something you should avoid.
You are most likely to feel like this in the first week when the splint and packing are in place. Blowing your nose causes a lot of strain and impacts a tender area. Doing so can result in a bleed.
It is normal to be unable to breathe through the nose for around two weeks. Your senses of taste and smell may also take a hit until you are fully recovered. You can read more here about the operation and its recovery time.
- Elevate the Head
After surgery, turning to your side when sleeping can cause a number of problems. Not only is it very uncomfortable, but it can cause more bruising and swelling. In some cases, it can even displace the nose.
Prop yourself up with pillows and cushions. A travel pillow that wraps around the neck is a good choice. You may also think about sleeping in a recliner.
- Use Cold
The first week after the operation, and especially the first 72 hours, are the times when most swelling will occur. This can be the most uncomfortable of the rhinoplasty recovery stages. A cold compress applied indirectly through a cloth or towel will help reduce swelling and ease some of the discomforts.
- Plan Ahead
The rhinoplasty recovery timeline lasts for a year. This is not as bad as it sounds at first, and you can resume many of your normal activities fairly quickly. Planning ahead will not only aid recovery but allow you to manage your time more effectively.
The first week will be the most uncomfortable. After around three days you can start moving around and doing light duties. After the splint is removed, you should still avoid heavy lifting and exercise.
By the second week, most of the bruising should have gone down. Weeks three or four will be when you can go back to doing exercise and working out with light cardio. At six weeks you can resume strength activities.
Depending on the person, three to six months should be the point where normal feeling will resume. This will be your smell, taste, and any tingling around the area will subside. At the one-year point, the whole process should have concluded.
- Eat Healthily
It is inevitable that after your operation, you will feel lousy. This often means turning to comfort foods. However, this is the time when you must strive to maintain a healthy diet.
Make sure you have lots of vitamins and mineral-rich food. This gives the body everything it needs to perform its functions and stave off illness and infection. Lots of foods rich in vitamin A and C are ones to strive for.
Protein is responsible for building and repairing the body so is also advised. You can get this from meat, eggs, fish, and yogurt. Make sure you are getting healthy proteins with good fats in them.
- Opt For a Bath
When washing, a bath should always take precedence over a shower. The supports, splints, and bandages in place to protect your nose need to be kept dry. This is almost impossible to do in the shower.
Take the opportunity to pamper yourself. Get washed in a hot bath with your favorite salts. Use a damp cloth, patted around the bandages to wash your face gently.
- Make Your Post Op Appointments
Even if you feel fully healed, you must attend your post-op appointments. They are in place not just to help you heal, but to see how the surgery has gone and make corrections if needed. To get the best results, you need to make sure you attend each one.
Rhinoplasty Recovery
In summary, rhinoplasty recovery takes time. Do not rush it, and take care of yourself as you heal. All of this will contribute to the results you desire.
If you found this article helpful, we have many more to assist you. From health to well-being, we can keep you fit and looking good in the coming year.
