Although your nose is one of the smallest parts of your body, having surgery performed on it can take a huge toll on you. While you want to make sure your rhinoplasty is done properly, the aftercare can affect your final results just as much. With any surgery, there are basic post-op instructions such as get plenty of rest, do not perform strenuous activities, et cetera. However, there are things you must do after having a nose job that you might not be aware of. If you are wondering how to care for your new nose properly, here is some information to help you out.
The Days Following Your Surgery
You might not realize this, but it is important that you have someone with you for at least your first night after surgery. One of the reasons why this is so important is because the after-effects of the anesthesia can cause you to have a loss of memory, feel groggy, and more. You need not exert yourself by trying to perform daily tasks such as preparing meals, cleaning, et cetera, especially on the first day. For the first couple of days, you’ll want to apply cool clothes to your eyes and forehead approximately every half hour which can be too much to do on your own. The main thing you should be focused on is getting plenty of rest, and keeping your head elevated by sleeping in a recliner or doubling up on your pillows.
Caring for Your New Nose
One of the most important things you’ll need to do following your surgery keeps your incision clean by applying hydrogen peroxide with a cotton swab a few times each day. Although your stitches will usually dissolve on their own, you want to keep them lubricated by applying an ointment after each cleaning as this can help speed up the process. While it is important to keep your nose clean, you also want to avoid getting your bandages wet as well which is why it would be best to switch to baths while you are healing.
How To Reduce Swelling
Swelling is something that you can expect to deal with for the first few days. One of the ways to minimize swelling is by keeping your head elevated for at least a couple of weeks. Make sure you aren’t performing any strenuous activities, lifting heavy items, bending over, or being out in the sun. These are some of the things that can actually make the swelling worse and hinder your ability to heal as fast as possible. If you notice that your nose seems larger or upturned after your splint is removed, there is no need for alarm as this will typically subside in time.
Eat the Right Foods
While diet is probably one of the least things you might consider after having a nose job, it is actually an important factor in your healing process. Not only does eating the right foods help to support your immune system and help you heal, but certain foods should be avoided for that same reason. After you leave The Rhinoplasty Center, you’ll want to avoid agitating your nose at all costs. This means you’ll have to stay clear of foods that are tough to chew as this can cause strain on your wounds.
Wearing Eye Glasses
If you are wondering how you are going to wear your glasses after your surgery, with a few adjustments it is certainly possible. Once your splint is removed you might find it quite difficult to wear your glasses normally as you’ll have to avoid applying pressure to your nose. To combat this, you could try resting your glasses on your cheeks for the next month and a half. However, the best way to avoid irritating your wounds is to wear contact lenses while you are healing.
Things You Should Avoid
While you might be aware of common things to avoid such as heavy-lifting, smoking, sleeping on your stomach, et cetera, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some additional things to avoid while you are recovering from your rhinoplasty:
- Shirts that pull over your head.
- Yawning with an opened mouth for at least two weeks.
- Sniffing or blowing your nose for the next 14 days.
- Sneezing through your nose; try to sneeze through your mouth instead.
- Brushing your top teeth with an adult-size toothbrush; use a baby toothbrush instead.
- Driving for a couple of weeks.
- Sports that involve physical contact for at least six weeks.
Things To Look Out For
If you notice some bleeding after your surgery, try elevating your head while lying down, and remain as relaxed as possible as this can help stop the bleeding. You can apply a cold compress around your nose and eyes to see if this helps as well. However, if the bleeding doesn’t stop or you feel excessive pain, have a fever, or anything out of the ordinary, you should contact your doctor right away. Although it is normal to experience swelling as well as discoloration, excessive swelling, redness, and pain might be a sign of an infection.
Caring for your nose after rhinoplasty can take some adjusting as you must keep yourself from doing things that you normally do. Anything involving your nose or even your face as a whole should be avoided as much as possible as you don’t want anything to alter your final results. Keep pressure off of your nose during the healing stages as this can influence its final shape. You must also remember that while your nose might be healed in just a matter of weeks, you won’t see the full results of your surgery for about 12 months. During this time, it is important to avoid activities that could injure your nose, and most importantly have patience.
