After Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure. Once the surgery is completed, you ill be observed in the recovery room for a few hours and then discharged home.

Someone must be available to drive you home.

You will have a small splint placed across the nose to protect it and maintain the stability of the bones and soft tissues. The average duration of a nose splint varies from 5-8 days

In some individuals, the physician may also place a nose packing. This packing made of soft gauze is usually removed the next day

All individuals who undergo Rhinoplasty have some degree of facial swelling. This swelling may affect the entire face and can be decreased by sleeping with the head elevated for the first 48 hrs. One can also apply a cool compression on the face area to limit the swelling. In most cases, the swelling decreases over the next 2-4 days.

The bruising around the nose and eyes may not appear attractive but is generally mild and not threatening. This bruising usually resolves over the next 4-7 days.

One should not rub or compress the nose for the first 2 weeks after surgery. Heavy sneezing and blowing the nose should be avoided for the first 10 days

If the surgeon uses absorbable sutures, then these will disappears in a matter of months and do not require removal. Unabsorbable sutures usually require removal in 5-9 days.

Most individuals stay at home to recover from surgery and this period is variable. In most cases it may last 7-14 days.

All heavy exercises should be halted until the nose has fully healed and the splint removed.

Exposure to sun should be limited for the first 2-3 months or skin discoloration may occur. Use of a sunscreen is heavily recommended

After the Rhinoplasty, it is no unusual for the nose to be sensitive to the slightest touch and pain.

Physical exertion, sun exposure or sporting activities are an absolute contraindication as this can lead to trauma and disrupt the nasal surgery

For those who wear glasses, it may be difficult to wear the glasses because of the splint on the nose.

To ensure that the Rhinoplasty has been successful, follow-up is required and anything unusual should be reported to the physician.

The final cosmetic result of Rhinoplasty is usually seen after 9-12 months. The initial results though will be evident once the swelling and bruising diminish in 2-3 weeks.

In about 10% of individuals, secondary or revision Rhinoplasty is required. In most cases this is minor surgery or a touch up to repair the minor imperfections of the surgery

Rhinoplasty is done to improve cosmesis and is rarely covered by medical insurance. Only in the rare cases of trauma or deviated septum with difficulty breathing is the surgery partially reimbursed.

The results of Rhinoplasty are permanent; however, the normal aging process will also affect the new nose sometime in future

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