Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery that allows you to effectively correct post-traumatic consequences, fully restore tissue structures, correct nasal breathing, as well as correct the shape or size of the nose for aesthetic purposes.
The procedure is a complex type of surgical intervention, since this organ functions continuously, participating in the breathing process, warming, humidifying and disinfecting the air. Due to its complexity, the recovery period takes longer than other types of plastic correction and requires the patient to strictly follow the surgeon's recommendations and prescriptions.
The speed and characteristics of rehabilitation are individual and depend on many factors: the complexity and volume of the surgical intervention, the correction methods, the patient's state of health, the doctor's qualifications, etc.
Stages of rehabilitation after rhinoplasty
The exact schedule of the recovery period in each clinical situation is determined individually, but any rehabilitation can be conditionally divided into several stages.
On the day of rhinoplasty
The correction lasts an average of 2-4 hours, most often it is performed under anesthesia, so the first day after the intervention the patient is in the clinic under observation. Drowsiness, weakness and apathy may appear for several hours, but these symptoms quickly disappear and after 3-4 hours the patient can move independently and eat food. There may be difficulty breathing through the nose 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.
I stage - the first 7 days after the correction
During this period, the patient's nose is fixed with a splint that prevents displacement of the structures, and silicone splints are placed in the nasal passages that allow 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, it is necessary to take the medicines recommended by the doctor, rinse your nose, maintain complete rest, avoid any physical activity, sleep on your back with the head of the bed raised and refrain from wearing makeup.
II stage - 7-14 days after plastic surgery
The patient's well-being improves, pain disappears, hematomas dissolve, the main edema begins to decrease, 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 on physical activity, hot and cold water procedures, use of decorative cosmetics and exposure to sunlight remain.
III stage - 2 weeks-1 month after rhinoplasty
All signs of surgery disappear on the face and there is an improvement in the shape of the nose. By the end of stage 3, physiotherapy 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.
IV stage - 6 months-1 year
During this period, the nose acquires the desired ideal shape, scars become invisible, all tissues are completely restored, and at the same time all restrictions and prohibitions are removed. After one year, cosmetic manipulations in the nose area are permitted.
What is particularly important for the patient to pay attention to during the recovery period?
Particular attention should be paid to the hygiene and safety of the nose. It is recommended that you adhere to the following rules:
- Do not remove or cut the threads yourself;
- avoid mechanical effects on the nose area;
- treat the operated area with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection;
- When discharge appears, you should not blow your nose, you should carefully clean the nasal passages with sterile cotton swabs;
- It is permissible to rinse the nose with a solution of sea salt.
If symptoms such as hyperthermia (temperature above 38 degrees), nausea, rash, hyperemia, increased pain at the site of intervention, prolonged nosebleeds, shortness of breath occur, you should 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 your head raised on the bed - 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 aimed at activating the facial lymph nodes is allowed, which also reduces swelling, improves blood supply and regeneration (active actions are not allowed, the massage consists of applying light pressure with fingers on the principle: "finger touch" "- "light pressure for 30 seconds" - "relaxation");
- For faster resorption of hematomas, it is allowed to apply special ointments recommended by the doctor.
Physiotherapy procedures have also proven themselves well, the patient is prescribed microcurrents, ultrasound therapy, phonophoresis and mesotherapy. All manipulations are performed after removing the bandage, the specific type of procedure and its frequency are determined by the doctor, taking into account the patient's condition.
Post-op appointments with a plastic surgeon
The patient should see a plastic surgeon for follow-up at certain times:
- 7 days after manipulation;
- 1 month after the intervention;
- 2 months later;
- after 3 months;
- after six months;
- after a year.
After about 7-10 days, the doctor will remove the plaster cast. If the condition worsens or complications develop, an urgent visit to the surgeon is necessary.
Use of drugs
The use of any local and systemic drugs should be done 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 can be recommended in the autumn and winter postoperative period. A sea salt solution is prescribed to rinse the nose, sometimes ointments are recommended to optimize blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
Nutrition and diet
The postoperative period includes some dietary restrictions. Resting the face is an important condition for proper and rapid regeneration, which is why it is recommended to minimize the activity of the masticatory muscles.
On the day of the plastic surgery, you must adhere to a light diet of liquid meals, the next day, regular food intake is allowed, but for 2 weeks you must avoid rough and hard foods that require chewing power, the food itself mustbe at a comfortable temperature. For 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 stick to a partially balanced diet - 5-6 times a day.
Limits
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 doing them. It is also recommended during rehabilitation to refuse:
- active blowing of the nose - only careful cleaning of the nasal passages is permissible;
- sleeping on the stomach and on the side - it is optimal to rest in a supine position;
- wearing any glasses for at least 2 months, including corrective glasses;
- weight lifting and physical activity;
- visiting a solarium, bath, sauna;
- shower in extreme temperatures.
Various experiments with traditional medicine are strictly prohibited, especially for "solutions" of food, hot compresses of salt, etc. It is also important to remember that during the first two weeks you should not touch your nose, so you should be carefulof a comfortable wardrobe, it is better to use clothes with zippers or buttons.
We can see the result
The first visible result can be assessed approximately one month after the correction, when the postoperative manifestations disappear. The nose acquires a clearer shape after 6-8 months, and the final result is after a year. In non-operative 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 heat effect dilate blood vessels and capillaries, which can provoke bleeding, increase swelling and slow down the regeneration of soft tissues. You can visit the solarium no earlier than 6 weeks after rhinoplasty, when the hematomas are completely removed and the edema syndrome has passed.
When can you play sports after rhinoplasty?
Sports exercises provoke an increase in heart rate and increased blood circulation, especially a rush of blood to the face, therefore all activities should 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 a rather important physical activity that should be avoided during the first 2-3 weeks after the correction, otherwise bleeding, increased swelling is possible, and any slightest touch of the nose can deform the organ and affect the final result.
When can you wash after surgery?
Taking a shower is allowed 3-5 days after the correction, only the water should be warm. It is important to avoid wetting the plaster cast, it must remain dry, as the first change is possible at least 5 days after placement.
When can you drink alcohol after surgery?
Ethyl alcohol, contained 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 for at least a month after surgery.
How long does the swelling last after surgery?
Tissue swelling is a standard occurrence after rhinoplasty. Swelling reaches its maximum peak approximately 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 decrease. Noticeable symptoms disappear within 1-3 weeks. Residual compaction, invisible to others, disappears after 6-8 months.
How long after surgery can I go to the bathroom?
For 2 months after rhinoplasty, you should not expose your body to strong heat or sudden temperature changes. Accordingly, during this period you should avoid visiting baths, sunbathing (including solariums) and contrast showers.
Conclusion
Rhinoplasty is a rather complex plastic surgery, which is performed not only for aesthetic, but also for therapeutic purposes. The degree 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. To make sure that the recovery period is as comfortable and fast as possible, that various complications will not develop and that the final result meets your wishes, it is extremely important to treat the recommendations of the plastic surgeon responsibly in the postoperative period and tofollow all his instructions strictly.