Plastic surgery is a transformative experience. There’s no doubt that enhancing your facial features can help you to feel more confident and put you on the path toward an improved quality of life. For most patients, regardless of the surgery, the recovery aspect is the most uncomfortable and longest phase of the process. It’s important to remember that your face needs time to heal after a rhinoplasty at our Tennessee-based practice, so you’ll need to schedule a few weeks of downtime to give yourself time to rest. With that in mind, there are some steps that patients can take to shorten their recovery time and reduce their risk of any complications or setbacks. Here’s what our team recommends:
Reduce Swelling
Most patients experience a significant amount of swelling right after having a nose job. This swelling can continue to some degree for up to a year, but can be particularly uncomfortable during the first few weeks of recovery. The soft tissues that make up the nose tend to swell more than other parts of the body, which is why it takes such a long time for the effect to go down.
Keep your head elevated by placing extra pillows under your back or resting in a recliner, instead of lying flat on your back. If your surgeon advises it, you can try using cold compresses or ice packs to keep swelling down, or take prescription medicine.
Skip Heavy Exercise
Although you can engage in light activity, doctors discourage patients from engaging in sports or other vigorous exercise for many weeks after a nose job. The tissues in your nose need a long time to heal, and doing too much exercise too soon could increase nose bleeds or swelling. Plus, there’s always the risk of taking a ball or elbow to the face. Speaking of which …
Protect the Nose
Your nose will be particularly vulnerable to trauma, so take steps to avoid damage that could slow recovery. Wear a protective mask, helmet, or nose guard if you do eventually go back to playing sports.
Avoid Some Medications
It’s common to experience some bleeding after a nose job. Don’t take blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications, or other supplements that increase bleeding for several weeks before and after the surgery—as long as it’s medically safe for you to avoid them.
Have questions about how to reduce your downtime after nose surgery? Get in touch with our Nashville Plastic Surgery Institute team for more tips on recovering from your rhinoplasty. Call us at 615-932-7700, or submit a contact form to request a consultation.