Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery that allows you to effectively correct post-traumatic consequences, completely restore tissue structures, correct nasal breathing, and also adjust the shape or size of the nose for aesthetic purposes.
The operation is a complex type of surgical intervention, because this organ functions continuously, participates in the process of breathing, heating, humidifies and disinfects the air. Due to its complexity, the recovery period lasts longer compared to other types of plastic correction and requires the patient to strictly adhere to the surgeon's recommendations and instructions.
The speed and characteristics of rehabilitation are individual and depend on many factors: the complexity and scope of the surgical intervention, the correction method, the patient's health condition, the doctor's qualifications, etc.
Phases of rehabilitation after rhinoplasty
The exact time of recovery in each clinical situation is determined individually, but each rehabilitation can be conditionally divided into several stages.
On the day of rhinoplasty
The correction lasts an average of 2-4 hours, it is usually done under anesthesia, so the first day after the intervention the patient is in the clinic for observation. Drowsiness, weakness and apathy may occur for several hours, but these symptoms quickly disappear and after 3-4 hours the patient can move and eat independently. There may be difficulty in nasal breathing due to nasal splints and swelling. Hematomas often appear around the eyes and near the nose. The next day, the patient receives all necessary recommendations and is discharged home.
Phase I - the first 7 days after correction
During that period, the patient's nose is fixed with a splint, which prevents the structures from moving, and silicone splints are inserted into the nasal passages, which enable nasal breathing to be maintained. All this can cause discomfort in the first days - a feeling of tightness, a foreign body, a feeling of heaviness. Also, the early postoperative period is characterized by pain, severe swelling and possible hematomas.
At this stage, you need to take the medicines recommended by your doctor, rinse your nose, rest completely, avoid any physical activity, sleep on your back with the head of the bed raised and refrain from wearing make-up.
Phase II - 7-14 days after plastic surgery
The patient's condition improves, the pain disappears, the hematomas recede, the main swelling begins to subside, but remains on the tip of the nose, back and sides. After about 10 days, the doctor removes the plaster cast, sutures and removes the splints. Restrictions remain on physical activity, hot and cold water procedures, use of decorative cosmetics and exposure to sunlight.
Phase III - 2 weeks-1 month after rhinoplasty
All signs of surgery disappear on the face, and the shape of the nose is improved. By the end of the 3rd phase, physiotherapeutic procedures are indicated to strengthen the new structures of the nose. After 3-4 weeks, the patient can return to the usual rhythm of life and go to work.
Phase IV - 6 months-1 year
During this period, the nose takes on the desired ideal shape, scars become invisible, all tissues are completely restored, and at the same time, all restrictions and prohibitions are lifted. After one year, cosmetic manipulations in the nose area are allowed.
What is especially important for the patient to pay attention to during the recovery period?
Special attention should be paid to the hygiene and safety of the nose. The following rules are recommended:
- Do not remove or cut the threads yourself;
- avoid mechanical influences on the nose area;
- treat the operated area with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection;
- When there is discharge, you must not blow your nose, you must carefully clean the nasal passages with sterile cotton swabs;
- Rinsing the nose with a sea salt solution is allowed.
If symptoms such as hyperthermia (temperature above 38 degrees), nausea, rash, hyperemia, increased pain at the intervention site, persistent nosebleeds, difficulty breathing, immediately visit a plastic surgeon.
Recommendations from a plastic surgeon to speed up and ease the recovery period
In order for the rehabilitation period to pass faster, as comfortably as possible and without complications, it is recommended to use some of the surgeon's recommendations, namely:
- after the manipulation, sleep only on your back with the head of the bed raised - this will increase the outflow of fluid from the head and the swelling will be less pronounced;
- use cold compresses to reduce swelling - the compress is placed on the area next to the nose, not on the organ itself;
- after removing the splint, a massage is allowed, which aims to activate the lymph nodes of the face, thereby reducing swelling, improving blood circulation and regeneration (active action is unacceptable, the massage consists of light pressure with the fingers according to the principle: "finger touch" - "light pressure 30seconds" – "release");
- For faster resorption of hematomas, it is allowed to apply special ointments recommended by the doctor.
Physiotherapy procedures also proved to be good, the patient is prescribed microcurrents, ultrasound therapy, phonophoresis, mesotherapy. All manipulations are carried out after removing the bandage, and the specific type of procedure and its frequency is determined by the doctor, taking into account the patient's condition.
Postoperative examinations at the plastic surgeon
The patient must visit a plastic surgeon for control at certain times:
- 7 days after manipulation;
- 1 month after the intervention;
- 2 months later;
- in 3 months;
- in six months;
- in a year.
After approximately 7-10 days, the doctor will remove the plaster cast. If the condition worsens or complications arise, an urgent visit to the surgeon is necessary.
Medication use
Application of any local and systemic drugs should be carried out only according to the prescription of the plastic surgeon. If necessary, analgesics to relieve pain, diuretics to reduce swelling, drugs to improve microcirculation, and vitamin therapy in the autumn and winter postoperative period can be recommended. A sea salt solution is prescribed for rinsing the nose; ointments are sometimes recommended to optimize blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
Nutrition and diet
The postoperative period includes certain dietary restrictions. An important condition for proper and fast regeneration is facial rest, so it is recommended to minimize the activity of the masticatory muscles.
On the day of plastic surgery, you should adhere to a light diet with liquid meals, the next day, regular food intake is allowed, but for 2 weeks you must avoid coarse and hard food that requires chewing force, the food itself should be at a comfortable temperature. One month after plastic surgery, it is recommended to limit the consumption of salty, sweet, smoked foods - foods that retain fluid in the body and, as a result, increase swelling. To improve metabolic processes, it is recommended to adhere to fractional balanced meals - 5-6 times a day.
Restrictions
Rhinoplasty does not limit the patient's social life, but during the recovery period it is recommended to be more attentive to your health and focus on personal feelings: if any actions are accompanied by discomfort, then you should avoid performing them. It is also recommended during rehabilitation to refuse:
- active blowing of the nose - only careful cleaning of the nasal passages is allowed;
- sleeping on your stomach and side - it is optimal to rest on your back;
- wearing glasses for at least 2 months, including corrective glasses;
- weight lifting and physical activity;
- visit to the solarium, bath, sauna;
- showering at extreme temperatures.
Various experiments with traditional medicine are strictly prohibited, especially for "solutions" made from food, warm salt compresses, etc. It is also important to remember that for the first two weeks you should not touch your nose, so you should be careful of a comfortable wardrobe, it is better to use clotheswith zipper or buttons.
Visible result
The first visible result can be evaluated approximately one month after the correction, when the postoperative manifestations disappear. The nose takes on a clearer shape after 6-8 months, and the final result in a year. With non-surgical rhinoplasty, the final result is visible a few hours after the procedure.
FAQ
When can you go to the solarium after surgery?
Ultraviolet radiation and the thermal effect expand blood vessels and capillaries, which can cause bleeding, increase swelling and slow down the regeneration of soft tissues. You can visit the solarium no later than 6 weeks after rhinoplasty, when the hematomas have completely receded and the edema syndrome has passed.
When can you exercise after rhinoplasty?
Sports exercises cause an acceleration of the heart rate and increased blood circulation, especially a rush of blood to the face, so all activities must be postponed for 2-3 months, and the return to professional sports - for at least six months.
When can you have sex after rhinoplasty?
Sex is quite a significant physical activity that should be avoided in the first 2-3 weeks after correction, otherwise bleeding, increased swelling are possible, and every slightest touch of the nose can deform the organ and affect the final result.
When can you wash after surgery?
Showering is allowed 3-5 days after correction, only the water should be warm. It is important to avoid wetting the plaster, it must remain dry, because the first change is possible at least 5 days after application.
When can you drink alcohol after surgery?
Ethyl alcohol, which is found in all alcoholic beverages without exception, slows tissue regeneration and negatively affects blood vessels and the heart, so it is extremely important to give up alcoholic beverages at least one month after surgery.
How long does the swelling last after surgery?
Tissue swelling is common after rhinoplasty. The swelling reaches its maximum peak about 3 days after the correction, when swelling is noticeable on the nose, eyelids, cheeks and, in some cases, on the chin, and then gradually begins to subside. Noticeable manifestations disappear within 1-3 weeks. The remaining tightness, invisible to others, disappears after 6-8 months.
How long after surgery can I go to the bathroom?
For two months after rhinoplasty, you must not expose your body to strong heat or sudden changes in temperature. Consequently, visits to baths, sunbathing (including solariums) and contrast showers should be avoided during this period.
Conclusion
Rhinoplasty is a rather complex plastic surgery that is performed not only for aesthetic, but also for therapeutic purposes. The level of complexity is determined by the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organ and its continuous functioning. The duration of rehabilitation after plastic surgery is variable and depends on the type of surgical intervention, the complexity and scope of the correction, and the individual characteristics of the patient. In order for the recovery period to be as pleasant and fast as possible, to prevent various complications from developing and for the final result to meet your wishes, it is extremely important in the postoperative period to responsibly understand the plastic surgeon's recommendations and strictly adhere to all his instructions.