13 Tip To Speed Up Your Rhinoplasty Recovery Time
Dr. Paul Angelchik is a Phoenix plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Angelchik is well-trained and experienced in all forms of plastic surgery, namely breast enhancement and facial rejuvenation. He has been serving patients for over 20 years. Dr. Angelchik brings his surgical experience, expertise, and quality care to patients in and around Phoenix, Arizona.
If you’ve been researching your options for rhinoplasty, then you know it comes with one of the longest recovery periods of any plastic surgery procedure. Although it can be daunting to think about your downtime, it’s important to know that your plastic surgeon will be available at every step of the way. There are also a few ways you can make sure your rhinoplasty recovery goes smoothly and quickly. Here are just a few to keep in mind as you schedule your consultation.
1. Follow Instructions
Despite whatever you may read online, your plastic surgeon’s detailed recovery instructions should be the first thing you consult. This is because it’ll include instructions about medications, surgical site care, and when to return for a follow-up – all of them customized to your unique needs. If you have any questions about these instructions, don’t hesitate to contact your plastic surgeon.
2. Listen to Your Body
If anything feels wrong during any stage of your recovery, make sure to play it safe. It’s always better to be proactive about complications like infection rather than reactive. Your plastic surgeon will make sure you know what symptoms to watch out for, so make sure to pay close attention.
3. Elevate Your Head
Keeping your head elevated serves many important purposes. It reduces swelling ( and therefore reduces pain) and bleeding, as well as reduces the chance that you disrupt your results by rolling over at night. You should plan to sleep this way for about 6 weeks after surgery. Sleep in a recliner or use 2-3 pillows to keep you heald elevated. If you don’t normally sleep on your back, consider sleeping like this for a week before surgery to adjust.
4. Use Ice Packs
Cold compresses can also help reduce discomfort and swelling for the first few days after surgery. Frozen peas in a sandwich baggie applied to each eye makes a great ice pack and will not harm the skin. When the peas thaw out, they can be replaced with another baggie. Rest
Getting plenty of rest is the quickest way to recover. Make sure to get a full night’s rest and take your prescribed pain medications if you’re unable to sleep because of discomfort.
5. Eat Enough Healthy Foods
Eating healthy and sufficiently is just as important as rest. Your body will need plenty of building blocks to repair tissues, so make sure to eat plenty of protein, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. It can be difficult to cook and prepare food after surgery, so prepare some balanced reheatable meals and easy-to-grab snacks ahead of time.
6. Stay Cool
Hot environments like steamy showers, hot tubs, or saunas can seem tempting during your recovery, but it’s important to avoid them. Heat can exacerbate swelling, disrupting your recovery process. Plan to avoid these environments as well as hot foods or warm weather for a few weeks after your surgery.
7. Avoid Blowing Your Nose
Congestion can be frustrating after your surgery, but it’s essential to avoid blowing your nose for the first 2 weeks after surgery. Swelling can cause your nasal passages to close, disrupting breathing. Your plastic surgeon can prescribe a saline spray to help you manage it in the meantime.
8. Don’t Exercise
If exercise is a regular part of your schedule, this might be difficult. But, you should avoid strenuous exercise for about 6 weeks after surgery. You should also avoid any activities where the nose might get injured such as martial arts or ball sports. This is because too much activity can increase swelling and disrupt your results. Make sure to wait until your plastic surgeon indicates you can return to your regular regimen.
9. Avoid Wearing Glasses
This might seem strange, but glasses can negatively impact your results when they sit on the bridge of the nose for too long. During your recovery, the tissues of the nose will be especially fragile and susceptible to reshaping, meaning you should avoid wearing any kind of glasses until indicated otherwise. In the meantime, switch to contacts or plan on going without for a few weeks.
10. Avoid Sunlight
It can be hard to remain indoors, especially if the weather is beautiful, but sunlight can increase your chances of scarring. It’s best to stay indoors or use SPF 30+ if you plan to go outside for brief periods of time.
11. Stop Smoking
This is best done at least 6 weeks ahead of your procedure, since any smoking can decrease your body’s healing ability and make you more prone to wound healing and infection issues.
12. Have Patience
The best rhinoplasty results take time, so make sure you have plenty of patience with your body. Despite your initial recovery taking a few weeks, it can take up to a year for all swelling to subside and for your nose to settle into its final shape. Enjoy the journey for what it is and follow these steps, and you’ll love your new nose in no time.
Schedule a Consultation
There’s a lot to learn about rhinoplasty, but your board-certified plastic surgeon can help. To meet with Dr. Paul Angelchik and get started, we invite you to contact our Glendale office by calling or filling out our online form.
