If you are considering rhinoplasty to reshape your nose or resolve aesthetic flaws like a hump or bulbous tip, a successful recovery can be as crucial as an effective surgical technique. With that in mind, it’s as essential to prepare for your nose surgery as it is to choose your rhinoplasty surgeon.
Your nose is your central facial feature and has a powerful influence on your appearance. Miniscule alterations can result in massive changes in how others see you and your self-esteem. This post will inform you how to approach your recovery and what to avoid during the healing process.
1. Blowing Your Nose
The pressure required to blow your nose can damage healing tissues, potentially causing bleeding or displacing carefully restructured internal structures. As you approach your surgery date, avoid anyone who seems sick. Practice good hygiene and use hand sanitizer faithfully. If you find yourself sniffling on the day of surgery, it could delay the procedure.
2. Wearing Glasses
If you typically wear glasses, please switch to contact lenses during your rhinoplasty recovery. Because glasses rest on the nose bridge, they can affect the natural healing process and leave indentations in vulnerable soft tissue after surgery.
3. Taking a Shower
If you usually shower daily, you will need to switch to taking baths to keep your nasal tissues dry after surgery.
4. Direct Sun Exposure
Even after you have your bandages removed, nose tissue and incisions will still be sensitive to direct sunlight. To avoid discoloration, do not expose your healing nose to UV rays. Wear appropriate SPF sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face from the sun.
5. Touching Your Nose
Though it will be tempting to examine your new nose, resist the urge to touch or peek at it. It may be painful and negatively impact proper healing. Also, avoid any activity that could cause nose trauma, like contact sports.
6. Lying Flat on Your Back
During the healing process, you should sleep and relax with your head above your heart to increase blood flow to your face and nose. Lying flat may increase the risk of bleeding and swelling. Many patients rest in a recliner or use special foam pillows to elevate their noses.
7. Consuming Alcohol or Nicotine
Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco during your nose surgery recovery, as these habits may increase the risk of potential complications. Nicotine restricts oxygen in the bloodstream, and alcohol thins your blood.
8. Wearing Makeup
While you may wish to wear makeup to cover post-surgical bruising, please do not put any makeup on or around your nose until your plastic surgeon gives you the all-clear.
After rhinoplasty surgery, you will go home with detailed instructions to follow for optimal recovery and to ensure you achieve the best possible benefits from your nose job.
Reshape Your Nose Today
The New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery offers surgical and non-surgical treatments to help you reach your cosmetic goals. Call us at (504) 533-8848 or contact us today to schedule a consultation.
