What to Expect After Rhinoplasty?

More than many cosmetic surgery procedures, rhinosplasty has an almost visceral, emotional reaction in post op. The effects are right there, literally in front of your face and the first week or so can be a bit troubling for those who undergo the procedure. To borrow a quote from the late, great Alexander Graham Bell, “preparation is the key to success.” If you know what to expect going in, the procedure and the week that follows will fly by. Here’s what you can look forward to:

You’ll have a cast around your reshaped nose for at least a week. There’s no escaping this as your nose will require maximum protection in the days that follow.

Swelling and bruising around the eyes is a definite possibility. Extending to the cheeks, it’s this consequence that keeps people from heading outdoors and interacting with people the most.

Sleeping on your back will be the norm. For the first week, you’ll have to be careful. Mind you, there is a cast in place, but that won’t help you should you wind up on your stomach. This also might be a good time to have some alone time should you sleep with a partner.

While we encourage people who undergo surgery from our facial cosmetic surgeon to head out there and proudly live life as you normally would, we understand the thought of being at work or even the grocery store is a lot for some people. Take matters in your hands pre-op. If you foresee an issue facing the world as you sport a cast on your face, be sure to hold off on any reading or binge-watching TV shows until the recovery week. Set yourself up with entertainment for your post-op. week at home.

It’s easy for people to fall into the trap of getting into “post-op. blues.” It can even be enough to make someone regret the decision to go through with facial cosmetic surgery. Trust us when we say it gets better and not even much longer than after the first week. Once the cast has been removed the swelling will have reduced and that will continue until your nose is picture ready. But as for exercising you’ll only need 2 weeks which means that, if you’re prepared for what’s to come, you’ll be able to brave the storm and see the light at the end of the tunnel sooner, rather than later.