Speedy Recovery After Rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty is a fairly invasive procedure that impacts the structure of your face and nose. As would be expected with such a procedure, the recovery period is something that many patients are concerned about. If you are considering a nose job, then you probably have a lot of questions about the recovery period. In particular, you may be interested in learning how you can shorten your recovery period and what you can do to achieve the best results. There are many factors that may impact the length of recovery and the level of discomfort you may experience. These include the amount of revision being done, the doctor’s skill, steps you take before and after the procedure, and how well your body responds to anesthesia and injury in general.

First, let’s discuss the things you can do before your surgery to increase your comfort and the speed of your recovery. Your recovery period should be a time of rest and relaxation. It is crucial that you give your body time to recovery after this important procedure. In essence, your body will have suffered a great trauma, and you must respect your body and allow it to heal. Our bodies are designed to heal on their own, and the best thing we can do is to rest so they can heal. Try to take care of important personal matters before the surgery, so that you won’t need to deal with them immediately afterwards. Get your bills paid, your house in order, and have a care support system in place. Think about what things you may need or want after the surgery. You likely will not want to go out in public for a few days, so make sure you have friends or family who you can call if you need something from outside of your home. Taking care of these things before the surgery, will allow you to focus on relaxing so your body can recovery after the surgery. Healthy bodies heal faster, so it’s best to stop smoking several months before the surgery, and to be in the best physical shape possible. Exercise, eat well, and maintain healthy habits in the weeks leading up to your surgery. You should also refrain from any medications than increase the likelihood of bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other vitamins and herbs. Your doctor will provide you with pre-operative instructions, and it is in your best interest to follow them.

After the surgery, you will need to care for your body so that it is able to recover. As mentioned above, be sure you have post-operative care arranged, whether it is a family member or professional health care provider. It is generally recommended that you do not go back to work for 2 weeks following the surgery. Social outings and other strenuous activities must be avoided. Pick out some books or movies that you’d like to enjoy during the recovery period. Arrange to have a close friend or family member visit you occasionally when you feel well enough for some company. Be sure to stay well hydrated during the recovery period by drinking plenty of water. Until you are feeling well enough to eat solid foods, chicken broth, Jello, and Gatorade will help keep you nourished and hydrated. Your doctor will give you specific post-operative care instructions, which will include which medications to take and which ointments you should apply. Dr. Rizk states that one of the best things a patient can do is to apply ice to the lower eyes for 2 days following the surgery to reduce swelling and bruising. Keeping the head elevated with pillows for the first 2 weeks is also essential to reducing swelling. For 6 weeks following the procedure, it is recommended that you keep the nasal passages moist by using a saline spray and Bactroban ointment. It is crucial that you follow these instructions so that your nose and body can heal quickly and properly.

Finally, it must be stated that the surgeon’s skill and the technique chosen will contribute to the length of the recovery period. Dr. Sam Rizk specializes in rapid recovery rhinoplasties, and is able to perform these with the assistance of 3D telescopic technology. 3D technology allows Dr. Rizk to make smaller incisions that will heal quickly. Additionally, it allows Dr. Rizk to see inside of the nose and avoid disturbing blood vessels during the surgery, thus minimizing the amount of bleeding and swelling that may occur. When using this technology, Dr. Rizk’s patients often experience recovery periods of 5 days, rather than the standard 2 weeks required in traditional rhinoplasty approaches. For more information on rapid recovery rhinoplasties and what measures you can take to recovery more quickly, be sure to talk to your doctor in great detail during your pre-operative appointments.