How long is the recovery period for nose surgery?

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Rhinoplasty recovery period

For many people, the most stressful and sensitive situation after nose surgery is the time to remove the dressing and see the result. Also, the recovery period of nose job can also be associated with a lot of anxiety. However, seeing the desired result requires people's patience. There is a six-week recovery period before you can fully enjoy the results of your procedure; But it is not as long as it seems. In this article, the timeline of the recovery period after nose surgery and the dos and don'ts during this period are discussed.

6-week recovery period

The duration of recovery and complete recovery is different for each person; But in general, this period does not last more than 6 weeks. The timeline of the recovery period for most people is as follows:

The first 24 hours after surgery

During the first 24 hours after the operation, you may feel sleepy; Especially if you receive sedation or general anesthesia. But if you only receive local anesthesia and stay awake during the procedure, you won't feel drowsy afterward. After anesthesia or a sedative injection, do not drive for 24 hours after waking up.

It is okay to rest at home for the first 24 hours after surgery. In fact, we recommend that you do as little activity as possible in the first 24 hours after the operation and have absolute rest.

48 hours after surgery

Two days after the operation, you may still feel tired. You cannot drive for 24 hours after taking prescription painkillers. So, if you're taking prescription painkillers and need to leave the house, ask someone close to you to drive. We strongly recommend that you start walking two days after your procedure to get the blood flowing in your body.

For 48 hours after surgery, you should still focus on rest. If you're taking a prescription that can make you drowsy, it's best to engage in small activities that keep you entertained without requiring a lot of concentration. For example, instead of playing an intense computer game, watch your favorite movies.

Five days after surgery

Five days after the operation, you can go to work or university. If your job is not administrative and requires a lot of physical activity, you should wait until ten days after your operation to return to work. At this stage, your health will return to the state before nose surgery, but the skin of your nose has not yet completely healed.

Two weeks after surgery

Every body heals at a different rate. Many people who work in a warehouse or construction job can return to work within ten days after the operation. In general, you don't need to take more than two weeks off work. However, you must inform your supervisor that you are recovering from surgery and during the recovery period of nose job.

Follow your doctor's advice

In order to speed up your healing process as much as possible and shorten your rhinoplasty recovery period, it is very important that you follow all of your doctor's instructions. Just because you feel good doesn't mean the underlying cartilage has settled or repaired to its final shape and position.

During the initial consultation and again after the operation, you will be given specific instructions about the medications to take after the operation, how to clean the skin around the nose, when you should return for your appointment, and more. If you have any questions, please let your doctor know as soon as possible so that the necessary guidance can be given.

Keep your head up

Although most Iranians sleep on their side at night, it is very important to sleep on your back and keep your head elevated for the first six weeks after surgery. If you sleep on your stomach or side at night, you may feel comfortable; But regardless of how you feel, you will significantly prolong your rhinoplasty recovery period.

Include plenty of vegetables and protein in your diet

Your nutrition is very important during the recovery period of nose surgery. Since you may not want to care about your diet in the days after the operation, prepare a meal plan and prepare healthy foods before the operation.

It is very important that your meals are based on colorful vegetables and protein. Protein is important; Because collagen is a protein that keeps your skin healthy and strong. Without this nutrient, your skin will take longer to heal. Colorful vegetables are also important; Because they contain essential micronutrients that your skin, bones and cartilage need to heal quickly.

Use a cold compress

During the first 72 hours after surgery, you may want to use a cold compress to reduce inflammation. However, you should be careful not to place the ice pack directly on your nose. Instead, hold it against one of your cheeks to make sure you don't accidentally displace any cartilage or bones in your nose.

Keep the environment cool

The coolness of the environment reduces the recovery period of nose surgery. This is very important during the first three to four weeks after the operation, which is why you should not participate in very vigorous aerobic exercise.

You should also avoid eating bowls of steaming soup, taking hot showers, relaxing in a steam room, or enjoying a dry sauna. When you shower, make sure you take a lukewarm shower and don't hold the shower water higher than your neck. Eat foods that are room temperature or colder.

Do not use glasses

It is very important to avoid wearing glasses for the first six weeks after the operation. This is the same reason you should not sleep on your back or side. To make sure you don't prolong the healing process, you should avoid putting pressure on your nose.

If you wear prescription glasses, ask your optometrist to prescribe lenses for you during the recovery period. If you wear sunglasses because of the strong sun, you can use a brimmed hat instead so that the sunlight does not hit your eyes.

Do not expose to direct sunlight

There are several reasons why it is important to protect your nose from the sun. First, exposure to the sun's UVC rays slows down collagen production and damages the collagen in your skin, which slows down your healing process. In addition, exposure to sunlight can increase your blood pressure and aggravate the feeling of swelling and pressure in the nose.

Conclusion

Rhinoplasty recovery period may seem long at first glance. But even if it takes six weeks, you'll be free to return to work or school within five to 14 days. In addition to keeping your blood pressure as stable as possible, follow the precautions we've outlined in this article to minimize your recovery time and get the best results from surgery. take a nose Note that your desired result from Nose Surgery largely depends on following the care measures during the recovery period. Therefore, do not fail to take these measures and take the treatment process seriously.

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About Dr. Rahmati

Subspecialist in plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, associate professor and faculty member of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, member of the Iranian Plastic Surgeons Association