Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery that allows you to effectively correct post-traumatic consequences, fully restore tissue structures, correct nasal breathing, and also adjust the shape or size of the nose for aesthetic purposes.
The procedure is a complex type of surgical intervention, as this organ works continuously, participating in the respiratory process, heating, moisturizing and disinfecting the air. Due to its complexity, the recovery period is longer compared to 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 surgical intervention, correction methods, the patient's health status, the doctor's qualifications, etc.
Stages of rehabilitation after rhinoplasty
The exact timing 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 to 4 hours, most of the time it is carried out under anesthesia, therefore on the first day after the intervention the patient remains in the clinic under observation. Drowsiness, weakness and apathy may occur for several hours, but these symptoms disappear quickly and after 3-4 hours the patient can move independently and eat. There may be difficulty in nasal breathing due to nasal pain and swelling. Bruises usually appear around the eyes and near the nose. The next day the patient receives all the necessary recommendations and is discharged home.
Stage I - the first 7 days after correction
During this period, the patient's nose is fixed with a splint, which prevents displacement of the structures, and silicone splints are inserted into the nasal cavities, which allow nasal breathing to be maintained. All of this can cause discomfort in the first few days - a feeling of constriction, a foreign body, a feeling of heaviness. Furthermore, the immediate postoperative period is characterized by pain, intense swelling and possible bruising.
At this stage it is necessary to take the medications recommended by the doctor, rinse your nose, maintain absolute rest, avoid any physical activity, sleep on your back with the head of the bed elevated and not wear makeup.
Stage II - 7 to 14 days after plastic surgery
The patient's well-being improves, the pain passes, the bruises disappear, 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 splint, sutures and removes the splints. Restrictions on physical activity, hot and cold water procedures, use of decorative cosmetics and exposure to the sun remain.
Stage III – 2 weeks to 1 month after rhinoplasty
All signs of surgery disappear on the face and an improvement in the shape of the nose is observed. At the end of stage 3, 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.
Stage IV - 6 months to 1 year
During this period, the nose acquires the desired ideal shape, scars become invisible, all tissues are fully restored and at the same time any restrictions and prohibitions are lifted. After a year, cosmetic manipulations in the nose area are allowed.
What is especially important for the patient to pay attention to during the recovery period?
Particular attention should be paid to nasal hygiene and safety. It is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Do not remove or cut the sutures;
- avoid mechanical impacts on the nasal region;
- treat the operated area with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection;
- When there is discharge, you should not blow your nose, and you should carefully clean the nasal passages using sterilized cotton swabs;
- It is allowed to rinse your nose with a sea salt solution.
If symptoms such as hyperthermia (temperature above 38 degrees), nausea, rash, hyperemia, increased pain at the site of the intervention, persistent nosebleed, shortness of breath appear, you should immediately consult a plastic surgeon.
Recommendations from a plastic surgeon to speed up and facilitate the recovery period
To make the rehabilitation period faster, more comfortable and without complications, it is advisable to follow some of the surgeon's recommendations, namely:
- after the manipulation, sleep only on your back with the head of the bed elevated - this will increase the outflow of liquid from the head and the swelling will be less pronounced;
- use cold compresses to reduce swelling - the compress is placed in the area close to the nose, and not on the organ itself;
- after removing the splint, massage is allowed, aimed at activating the facial lymph nodes, which also reduces swelling, improves blood supply and regeneration (active actions are unacceptable, massage consists of applying light pressure with the fingers in accordance with with the principle: "finger touch" - "light pressure for 30 seconds" - "let go");
- For faster resorption of bruises, special ointments recommended by your doctor can be applied.
Physiotherapy procedures have also proven themselves well: the patient is prescribed microcurrents, ultrasound therapy, phonophoresis and mesotherapy. All manipulations are carried out 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-operative consultations with a plastic surgeon
The patient must consult a plastic surgeon for follow-up 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 about 7 to 10 days, the doctor will remove the plaster splint. If the condition worsens or complications arise, an emergency visit to the surgeon is necessary.
Medication use
The use of any local and systemic medications should only be carried out as prescribed by the plastic surgeon. If necessary, analgesics to relieve pain, diuretics to reduce swelling, medications to improve microcirculation and vitamin therapy in the autumn and winter postoperative period may be recommended. A sea salt solution is prescribed to rinse the nose; ointments are sometimes recommended to optimize blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
Nutrition and diet
The post-operative period involves some dietary restrictions. An important condition for correct and rapid regeneration is facial rest, which is why it is recommended to minimize the activity of the masticatory muscles.
On the day of plastic surgery, you should adhere to a light diet of liquid dishes, the next day, regular food intake is allowed, but for 2 weeks you should avoid rough and hard foods that require chewing force, the food itself it should be at a comfortable temperature. For a month after plastic surgery, it is recommended to limit the consumption of salty, sweet and smoked foods - foods that retain fluid in the body and, consequently, increase swelling. To improve metabolic processes, it is advisable 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 careful with your health and focus on personal feelings: if any action is accompanied by discomfort, you should avoid carrying it out. It is also advisable to refuse during rehabilitation:
- actively blowing your nose - it is only allowed to carefully clean the nasal passages;
- sleep on your stomach and side - the ideal is to rest on your back;
- wear glasses for at least 2 months, including corrective glasses;
- weight lifting and physical activity;
- visit solarium, bathhouse, sauna;
- bathing in extreme temperatures.
Various experiments with traditional medicine are strictly prohibited, especially for "solutions" made from food, hot compresses made from salt, etc. It is also important to remember that in the first two weeks you should not touch your nose, so you should be careful. For a comfortable wardrobe, it is best to wear clothes with zippers or buttons.
Visible result
The first visible result can be assessed approximately one month after correction, when postoperative manifestations disappear. The nose becomes lighter after 6 to 8 months, with final results within a year. In non-surgical rhinoplasty, the final result is visible a few hours after the procedure.
Common questions
When can you go to the solarium after surgery?
Ultraviolet irradiation and thermal effect dilate blood vessels and capillaries, which can cause 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 bruises have completely resolved and the edema syndrome has passed.
When can you exercise after rhinoplasty?
Sports exercises cause an increase in heart rate and an increase in blood circulation, especially blood flow 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 significant physical activity that should be avoided in the first 2-3 weeks after correction, otherwise bleeding, increased swelling is possible, and any slightest touch to 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 correction, only the water should be warm. It is important to avoid getting the plaster wet, it must remain dry, as the first change is possible at least 5 days after application.
When can you drink alcohol after surgery?
Ethyl alcohol, contained in all alcoholic beverages without exception, slows down tissue regeneration and negatively affects blood vessels and the heart, therefore it is extremely important to give up alcoholic beverages for at least a month after surgery.
How long does swelling last after surgery?
Tissue swelling is a standard phenomenon after rhinoplasty. Swelling reaches its maximum peak approximately 3 days after correction, when swelling is noticeable in the nose, eyelids, cheeks and, in some cases, the chin, and then begins to gradually decrease. Visible manifestations disappear within 1 to 3 weeks. Residual compaction, invisible to others, disappears after 6-8 months.
How long after surgery can I go to the spa?
For 2 months after rhinoplasty, you should not expose your body to strong heat or sudden changes in temperature. Therefore, during this period you should avoid going to baths, sunbathing (including solariums) and contrast showers.
Conclusion
Rhinoplasty is a very complex plastic surgery, carried out not only for aesthetic purposes, 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. To ensure that the recovery period is as comfortable and quick as possible, that no various complications arise and that the final result corresponds to your wishes, it is extremely important to responsibly follow the plastic surgeon's recommendations in the post-operative period and strictly follow all your instructions.