After Rhinoplasty

After rhinoplasty surgery, follow your doctor's instructions as well as guidelines provided by the medical staff to help assure a smooth and easy recovery.

Right After Rhinoplasty Surgery:

When you wake up after surgery, you will most likely feel the effects of the anesthesia and you will not be fully coordinated. The medical staff will monitor your vital signs and care for you in the recovery area, until you are ready to leave and return home. The surgeon and staff will provide you instructions that will help guide you through the recovery process after your procedure and for the following weeks. Follow these instructions, even if you do not feel well enough. Your designated driver and care-taker will also be given a few instructions to help comfort and care for you during your recovery process.

The staff will ensure that you are fully awake before leaving the medical premises. It is important that you inform the medical staff if you do not feel well or if you are experiencing any difficulties. If you had general anesthesia, you will stay usually for two hours after the surgery. This can change depending on how your body reacts to the surgery. If you had partial or mild sedation, you will be able to leave about an hour after surgery

A bandage or compression garment will be placed over your nose. You might be asked to wear the bandages or compression garment for a few days after rhinoplasty surgery.

Before leaving, the staff will instruct you on what medications to take, when to bathe, what special care you will require after surgery and when to schedule an appointment to see your surgeon again.

You will likely return home after rhinoplasty surgery; in rare cases, your surgeon might recommend an overnight stay. Following surgery, you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.

External sutures, if used, are usually removed four to five days after surgery. The external cast is usually removed after one week. If internal stents were used, they are removed four days to two weeks after surgery.

At Home, After Rhinoplasty

Most surgeons prescribe antibiotics, pain medications and steroid medication after surgery. If you fill those prescriptions before your surgery, you will have one less thing to worry about upon your return home. Your surgeon might recommend cold compresses for one or two days after surgery followed by alternating hot and cold compresses for one or two additional days. Most people choose to remain home for a week. Although it is safe to be outdoors, it is highly recommended that you wear a hat to protect your nose from the sun.

Within a week, you will re-visit your surgeon and he or she will remove the bandages and/or the compression garment.

You will need to refrain from exercise for at least 24 hours after rhinoplasty surgery. After this, you might be asked to do light exercise to improve the blood flow and to help you recover faster. Most likely, you will be able to return to work within a few days. After several weeks, you can resume normal leisure and recreational activities.

You will be asked not to take hot baths for at least a week. It is also a good idea to protect your face from the sun and avoid extreme heat.

Post Rhinoplasty Recovery Tips:

• You will need someone to drive you from the medical facility to your home.
• You will need to have someone help you one to three nights after surgery, especially if you have children.
• Have your surgeon's phone number at hand in case you need to ask your surgeon a question.
• Have a timer or written schedule of when to take your medications.
• Make sure you have everything you will need for post-surgery care, such as clean towels, ice packets, comfortable clothes, bandages or special garments.
• Ask your surgeon if you will need a special diet after surgery and if there are foods that are recommended during the first few days.
• Ask your rhinoplasty surgery doctor how long after surgery you will be able to drive.
• Plan on activities that will entertain you, such as reading books, watching movies or making puzzles. These activities can keep your mind occupied and distract you from pain or discomfort, as well as making your recovery more enjoyable.
• Avoid extreme heat or cold.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity and exercising until advised by your surgeon.

Keep in mind that it will take at one to two months for swelling and scarring to heal.

Following these instructions will reduce your risks and will increase your chances of having a successful recovery and great outcome from your rhinoplasty surgery.

Traveling After Rhinoplasty Surgery

Traveling can put a lot of stress on the body, especially after rhinoplasty surgery. Do not schedule travel right after your procedure. Your surgeon might restrict you from airplane travel for at least 10 days. Airplane travel increases the risk of blood clots.

Additionally, your body might require additional time to recover, and if you have not healed enough, you might experience pain and discomfort during your trip.

Additional Therapies after Rhinoplasty Surgery

Your surgeon might recommend additional treatments or therapies after surgery. The goals of these additional treatments include helping you recover faster, complementing your surgery and diminish scarring, swelling or pain.

Ask your surgeon if he or she recommends additional treatments or therapies.

Emergency after Rhinoplasty Surgery

Although today's medical procedures have very high success rates, there are always risks after surgery. If you experience any situation that does not seem normal after your surgery, contact your doctor immediately. If you present a true medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

Questions About What to Expect After Rhinoplasty Surgery:

• How long will I have to stay in recovery?
• How will I feel after rhinoplasty surgery?
• How much pain should I expect?
• How long can I expect to fully recover from my nose procedure?
• Am I required to have someone drive me home after rhinoplasty surgery?
• What kind of care will I need at home?
• Are there activity limitations, and for how long?
• What kind of diet should I keep after my rhinoplasty surgery?
• What symptoms should I watch out for and report?
• When should I contact my gastric bypass surgeon?
• What medications do I need to take after surgery?
• Is there anything that I should refrain from after my rhinoplasty surgery (for example, heat or sun)?
• Do I need bed rest after my rhinoplasty surgery and for how long?
• How long before I can go back to work?
• Do I need to wear bandages or special garments? And if so, for how long?