Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery that allows you to effectively correct the consequences after trauma, fully restore tissue structure, correct nasal breathing, and also adjust the shape or size of the nose for aesthetic purposes.
This procedure is a complex type of surgical intervention, because this organ works continuously, participating in the process of breathing, heating, humidifying and disinfecting the air. Due to its complexity, the recovery period takes more time compared to other types of plastic correction and requires the patient to strictly follow the surgeon's recommendations and prescriptions.
The speed and characteristics of recovery are individual and depend on many factors: the complexity and amount of surgical intervention, the method of correction, the state of health of the patient, the qualifications of the doctor, etc.
Stages of recovery after rhinoplasty
The exact time of the recovery period in each clinical situation is determined individually, but any recovery can be conditionally divided into several stages.
On the day of rhinoplasty
The correction lasts an average of 2-4 hours, it is most often performed under anesthesia, so the first day after the intervention the patient is in the clinic under observation. Drowsiness, weakness, and apathy may occur for several hours, but these symptoms quickly disappear and after 3-4 hours the patient can move freely and eat food. There may be difficulty in nasal breathing due to nasal debris and swelling. Hematomas often appear around the eyes and near the nose. The next day the patient received all the necessary recommendations and was discharged home.
Stage I - the first 7 days after correction
During this period, the patient's nose is fixed with a splint, which prevents structural displacement, and a silicone splint is inserted into the nasal passage, which allows nasal breathing to be maintained. All this can cause discomfort in the first days - feeling of tightness, foreign body, feeling of heaviness. Also, the early postoperative period is characterized by pain, severe swelling, and possible hematoma.
At this stage, it is necessary to take the medicines recommended by the doctor, rinse your nose, rest completely, avoid any physical activity, sleep on your back with the head of the bed raised, and avoid wearing makeup.
Stage II - 7-14 days after plastic surgery
The patient's well-being improved, pain disappeared, hematomas disappeared, the main swelling began to subside, but remained at the tip of the nose, back and sides. After about 10 days, the doctor removes the plaster splint, stitches, and removes the splint. Permanent restrictions on physical activity, hot and cold water procedures, use of decorative cosmetics and exposure to sunlight.
Stage III - 2 weeks-1 month after rhinoplasty
All signs of surgery disappeared on the face, and an improvement in the shape of the nose was observed. Towards the end of stage 3, physiotherapeutic procedures are indicated to strengthen the new structure of the nose. In 3-4 weeks, the patient can return to the normal rhythm of life and go to work.
Stage IV - 6 months-1 year
During this period, the nose acquires the desired ideal shape, scars become invisible, all tissues are fully restored, and at the same time any restrictions and prohibitions are lifted. After a year, cosmetic manipulation in the nose area is allowed.
What should the patient pay particular attention to during the recovery period?
Particular attention must be paid to the hygiene and safety of the nose. It is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- Do not remove or cut the sewing thread yourself;
- avoid mechanical impact on the nasal area;
- treat the treated area with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection;
- When there is a discharge, you should not blow your nose, you must clean the nasal passages carefully and use a sterile cotton swab;
- It is allowed to rinse the nose using a solution of sea salt.
If symptoms such as hyperthermia (temperature above 38 degrees), nausea, rash, hyperemia, increased pain at the intervention site, persistent nosebleeds, shortness of breath appear, you should immediately visit a plastic surgeon.
Recommendations from plastic surgeons to speed up and ease the recovery period
To make the recovery period go faster, as comfortably as possible and without complications, it is advisable to use some of the surgeon's recommendations, namely:
- after the manipulation, sleep only on your back with the head of the bed raised - this will increase the outflow of fluid from the head and the swelling will be less noticeable;
- use a cold compress to reduce swelling - the compress is placed on the area next to the nose, and not on the organ itself;
- after removing the splint, massage is allowed, aiming to activate the lymph nodes of the face, which also reduces swelling, increases blood supply and regeneration (active actions are not acceptable, massage consists of applying light pressure with your fingers according to the principle: "finger touch " - "light pressure for 30 seconds" - "release");
- For faster absorption of the hematoma, a special ointment recommended by the doctor is allowed to be applied to it.
Physiotherapy procedures have also proven themselves well; patients are prescribed microcurrent, ultrasound therapy, phonophoresis, and mesotherapy. All manipulations are performed after removing the bandage; the specific type of procedure and its frequency is determined by the doctor, taking into account the patient's condition.
Post-surgery appointment with the plastic surgeon
Patients must visit a plastic surgeon for follow-up at certain times:
- 7 days after manipulation;
- 1 month after intervention;
- 2 months later;
- in 3 months;
- in six months;
- in a year.
After about 7-10 days, the doctor will remove the plaster splint. If the condition worsens or complications develop, an emergency visit to the surgeon is necessary.
Use of medications
The use of any local and systemic drugs should be carried out only as prescribed by the plastic surgeon. If necessary, analgesics may be recommended to relieve pain, diuretics to reduce swelling, drugs to improve microcirculation, and vitamin therapy in the fall and winter after surgery. A solution of sea salt is prescribed to rinse the nose; Ointments are sometimes recommended to optimize blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
Nutrition and diet
The postoperative period involves some dietary restrictions. An important condition for proper and rapid regeneration is facial rest, therefore it is recommended to minimize the activity of the masticatory muscles.
On the day of plastic surgery, you should adhere to a light diet of liquid dishes, the next day normal food consumption is allowed, but for 2 weeks you must avoid rough and hard food that requires chewing power, the food itself should be at a comfortable temperature. For a month after plastic surgery, it is recommended to limit the consumption of salty, sweet, smoked foods - foods that retain fluid in the body and, as a result, increase swelling. To improve metabolic processes, it is advisable to adhere to fractional balanced meals - 5-6 times a day.
Restrictions
Rhinoplasty does not limit the patient's social life, but during the recovery period it is recommended to be more careful about your health and focus on personal feelings: if any action is accompanied by discomfort, then you should refrain from doing it. It is also advised during recovery to refuse:
- active nose blowing - it is only allowed to carefully clean the nasal passages;
- sleep on your stomach and side - it is optimal to rest in a position on your back;
- wear any glasses for at least 2 months, including corrective glasses;
- weight lifting and physical activity;
- visit solarium, bath house, sauna;
- shower in extreme temperatures.
Various experiments with traditional medicine are strictly prohibited, especially for "solutions" made from food, hot compresses made from salt, etc. It is also important to remember that for the first two weeks you cannot touch your nose, so you should be careful with a comfortable wardrobe, it is better to use clothes with zippers or buttons.
Visible results
The first visible results can be evaluated about a month after the correction, when the postoperative manifestations disappear. The nose gets a clearer shape after 6-8 months, with the final result in a year. With non-surgical rhinoplasty, the final result can be seen a few hours after the procedure.
Frequently asked questions
When can you go to the solarium after surgery?
Ultraviolet radiation and heat effects dilate blood vessels and capillaries, which can trigger bleeding, increase swelling and delay soft tissue regeneration. You can visit the solarium no earlier than 6 weeks after rhinoplasty, when the hematoma has completely resolved and the edema syndrome has passed.
When can you exercise after rhinoplasty?
Sports training triggers an increase in heart rate and an increase in blood circulation, especially blood flow to the face, therefore all activities must be suspended for 2-3 months, and return to professional sports - at least six months.
When can you have sex after rhinoplasty?
Sex is a rather important physical activity that should be avoided in the first 2-3 weeks after correction, otherwise bleeding, increased swelling are possible, and any slight touch on the nose can change the shape of the organ and affect the final result.
When can you wash after surgery?
Bathing is allowed 3-5 days after correction, only the water should be warm. It is important to avoid getting the plaster cast wet; it must remain dry, because the first change may be at least 5 days after application.
When can you drink alcohol after surgery?
Ethyl alcohol, which is contained in all alcoholic beverages without exception, slows tissue regeneration and has a negative effect on blood vessels and the heart, so it is very important to avoid alcoholic beverages for at least a month after surgery.
How long does swelling last after surgery?
Tissue swelling is a standard phenomenon after rhinoplasty. Swelling reaches its maximum peak about 3 days after correction, when swelling appears on the nose, eyelids, cheeks and, in some cases, on the chin, then gradually begins to subside. Significant manifestations resolve within 1-3 weeks. Residual compaction, invisible to others, disappears after 6-8 months.
How long after surgery can I go to the bathroom?
For 2 months after rhinoplasty, you should not expose your body to strong heat or sudden temperature changes. Accordingly, for this period you should refrain from visiting baths, sunbathing (including solarium) and contrast baths.
Conclusion
Rhinoplasty is a rather complex plastic surgery that is performed not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for therapeutic purposes. The level of complexity is determined by the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organ and its ongoing function. The recovery period after plastic surgery is variable and depends on the type of surgical intervention, the complexity and scope of the correction, and the individual characteristics of the patient. To ensure that the recovery period is comfortable and as fast as possible, that various complications do not develop, and that the final result corresponds to your wishes, it is very important to take the plastic surgeon's recommendations responsibly in the postoperative period and adhere to all strictly. the instructions.