When we undergo a nose surgery it is important to follow a series of precautions for an optimal postoperative period. As a general rule, recovery is usually simple and most patients can resume their normal routine within a few days after the operation.
What are the first days after surgery like?
It is normal for the patient’s face to be swollen and even bruised during the first few days. The definitive results of rhinoplasty are visible after two weeks, when the face is decreasing swelling. Initially, the effects felt after surgery are:
- Swelling in the face.
- Nasal packing.
- Possible headaches.
What advice can we follow to overcome these discomforts?
To make the postoperative period more bearable, the specialist will prescribe an anti-inflammatory analgesic to reduce pain. In addition, in the first days it is important to follow the following advice:
- Keep absolute rest.
- Keep calm, since it is possible that the eyes and nose may swell. Although it may seem to be getting worse, it will disappear in a few days.
- Try to keep your head elevated.
- In case of nosebleeds, the patient should not blow or scratch.
- The specialist may ask to be with plugs or plaster in the nose.
Some other recommendations to follow are:
- Do not perform any type of physical exercise or sport.
- Drink water to avoid dry mouth.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco, as they hinder recovery.
- Sleep with your face upwards, never on your side.
- It is not recommended to sunbathe or be cold.
- If glasses are used, it is better to wear contact lenses.
- Sneeze with your mouth open to avoid blowing your nose.
- The patient can wash his face avoiding the nose area.
In short, if the postoperative period is good, the recovery will also be good. It is important to follow the specialist’s recommendations and be patient. Until the recovery is not complete it is not advisable to return to normal activities.
Most often between four and six weeks the nose is already well and you can return to normal life. Once the patient is recovered, he/she only has to worry about applying sunscreen to the nose during the first months.
The Elena Jimenez Clinic works individually with each nose, to analyze the nasal structures and always achieve the naturalness and fit of the face of each patient in front of a unique nasal aesthetics.