Rhinoplasty is a plastic operation that allows you to effectively correct post-traumatic results, fully restore tissue structures, correct nasal breathing, and adjust the shape or size of the nose for aesthetic purposes.
The procedure is a complex type of surgical intervention, because this organ works continuously, participates in the breathing process, warms, humidifies and disinfects the air. Due to its complexity, the recovery period takes longer than other types of plastic correction and requires the patient to strictly follow the surgeon's recommendations and prescriptions.
The speed and features of rehabilitation are individual and depend on many factors: complexity and volume of surgical intervention, correction methods, patient's health condition, doctor's specialty, etc.
Rehabilitation stages after rhinoplasty
In each clinical case, the exact time of the recovery period is determined individually, but any rehabilitation can be conditionally divided into several stages.
Rhinoplasty day
The correction lasts an average of 2-4 hours, most often it is performed under anesthesia, so the patient is under observation in the clinic on the first day after the intervention. Drowsiness, weakness and apathy may occur within a few hours, but these symptoms disappear quickly, and after 3-4 hours the patient can move independently and eat food. There may be difficulty in nasal breathing due to nasal splints and swelling. Hematomas often appear around the eyes and near the nose. The next day, the patient receives all 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 that prevents displacement of the structures, and silicone splints are placed on the nasal passages, which makes it possible to maintain nasal breathing. All this can cause discomfort in the first days - a feeling of tightness, a foreign body, a feeling of heaviness. Also, the early postoperative period is characterized by pain, severe swelling and possible hematomas.
At this stage, you should take the medicines recommended by the doctor, rinse your nose, rest completely, avoid any physical activity, sleep on your back with the head of the bed raised, and avoid makeup.
II stage - 7-14 days after plastic surgery
The patient's well-being improves, pain disappears, hematomas disappear, the main swelling begins to decrease, but remains on the tip of the nose, back and sides. After about 10 days, the doctor removes the plaster splints, stitches and removes the splint. Restrictions on physical activity, hot and cold water procedures, use of decorative cosmetics and exposure to sunlight remain.
III stage - 2 weeks-1 month after rhinoplasty
All the signs of surgery on the face disappear, and the shape of the nose improves. At the end of the 3rd stage, physiotherapeutic procedures are indicated to strengthen the new structures of the nose. In 3-4 weeks, the patient can return to the normal rhythm of life and go to work.
IV stage - 6 months-1 year
During this period, the nose takes the desired ideal shape, scars become invisible, all tissues are completely restored, and at the same time, any restrictions and prohibitions are removed. After one year, cosmetic manipulations in the nose area are allowed.
What is especially important for the patient to pay attention to during the recovery period?
Special attention should be paid to nasal hygiene and safety. It is recommended to observe the following rules:
- Do not remove or cut the sutures yourself;
- avoid mechanical effects on the nose area;
- treat the operated area with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection;
- During discharge, you should not blow your nose, clean the nasal passages carefully and with sterile cotton swabs;
- It is permissible to rinse the nose using a solution of sea salt.
If symptoms such as hyperthermia (temperature above 38 degrees), nausea, rash, hyperemia, increased pain at the intervention site, continuous nosebleeds, shortness of breath appear, you should immediately consult a plastic surgeon.
Recommendations of a plastic surgeon to speed up and facilitate the recovery period
In order for the rehabilitation period to pass faster, as comfortably and without complications as possible, it is recommended to use some recommendations of the surgeon, namely:
- after the manipulation, sleep only on your back with the head of the bed raised - this will increase the outflow of fluid from the head and the swelling will be less noticeable;
- use cold compresses to reduce swelling - the compress is placed not on the organ itself, but on the area near the nose;
- after removing the bandages, a massage aimed at activating the facial lymph nodes is allowed, which reduces swelling, improves blood supply and recovery (active movements are not acceptable, the massage consists of applying light pressure with your fingers: "finger touch" " - "light pressure for 30 seconds" - "release");
- For faster resorption of hematomas, they are allowed to apply special ointments recommended by the doctor.
Physiotherapy procedures have also proven themselves well, the patient is prescribed microcurrents, ultrasound therapy, phonophoresis and mesotherapy. All manipulations are performed 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 appointments with the plastic surgeon
The patient should visit a plastic surgeon for examination at certain times:
- 7 days after manipulation;
- 1 month after intervention;
- 2 months later;
- within 3 months;
- in six months;
- in a year.
After about 7-10 days, the doctor will remove the plaster splint. If the condition worsens or complications develop, an urgent visit to the surgeon is necessary.
Use of drugs
The use of any local and systemic drugs should be carried out only as prescribed by the plastic surgeon. If necessary, analgesics to relieve pain, diuretics to reduce swelling, drugs to improve microcirculation, and vitamin therapy can be recommended in the fall and winter after surgery. A sea salt solution is prescribed to rinse the nose, sometimes ointments are recommended to optimize blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
Nutrition and diet
The postoperative period involves some dietary restrictions. Rest of the face is an important condition for proper and quick recovery, so it is recommended to minimize the activity of the chewing muscles.
On the day of plastic surgery, you should follow a light diet of liquid dishes, regular food intake is allowed the next day, but you should avoid rough and hard foods that require chewing force for 2 weeks, the food itself should be at a level. comfortable temperature. For a month after plastic surgery, it is recommended to limit the consumption of salty, sweet, smoked foods - foods that retain fluid in the body and, as a result, increase swelling. To improve metabolic processes, it is recommended to follow 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 about your health and pay attention to your personal feelings: if any movement is accompanied by discomfort, you should refrain from performing them. During rehabilitation, it is also advisable to refuse:
- active nose blowing - only careful cleaning of the nasal passages is allowed;
- stomach and side sleeping - it is optimal to rest in a supine position;
- wear any glasses, including corrective glasses, for at least 2 months;
- weight lifting and physical activity;
- solarium, bath, sauna visit;
- shower at extreme temperature.
Various experiments with traditional medicine, especially "solutions" made from food, hot compresses made from salt, etc. is strictly prohibited. It is also important to remember that you should not touch your nose for the first two weeks, so you should be careful. for a comfortable wardrobe, it is better to use clothes with zippers or buttons.
Visible result
The first visible result can be evaluated about a month after the correction, when the postoperative manifestations disappear. The nose takes a clearer shape after 6-8 months, and the final result is after a year. With non-surgical rhinoplasty, the final result is visible a few hours after the procedure.
Frequently asked questions
When can you go to the solarium after the operation?
The effect of ultraviolet radiation and heat dilates blood vessels and capillaries, which can cause bleeding, increase swelling and slow down the recovery of soft tissues. You can visit the solarium no later than 6 weeks after rhinoplasty, when the hematomas have completely disappeared and the edema syndrome has passed.
When can you exercise after rhinoplasty?
Sports training causes an increase in heart rate and blood circulation, especially blood flow to the face, so all activities should be postponed for 2-3 months, and return to professional sports - at least six months.
When can you have sex after rhinoplasty?
Sex is a very important physical activity that should be avoided during the first 2-3 weeks after correction, otherwise bleeding, increased swelling are possible, and any small touch organ in the nose can deform and affect the final result.
When can you wash after the operation?
Taking a shower is allowed 3-5 days after the correction, only the water should be warm. It is important to prevent the plaster from getting wet, it must remain dry, because the first change is possible at least 5 days after application.
When can you drink alcohol after surgery?
Ethyl alcohol, which is contained in all alcoholic beverages without exception, slows tissue recovery and has a negative effect on blood vessels and the heart, so it is extremely important to avoid alcohol for at least one month after surgery.
How long does the swelling last after surgery?
Swelling of tissues after rhinoplasty is a standard phenomenon. Swelling reaches its maximum peak about 3 days after correction, swelling is noticeable in the nose, eyelids, cheeks and in some cases on the chin, and then gradually begins to decrease. Visible manifestations resolve within 1-3 weeks. Residual compression, invisible to others, disappears after 6-8 months.
How long after surgery can I go to the bathroom?
You should not expose your body to strong heat or sudden temperature changes for 2 months after rhinoplasty. Accordingly, you should avoid visiting baths, sunbathing (including solariums) and contrast showers during this period.
The result
Rhinoplasty is a rather complex plastic surgery performed not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for therapeutic purposes. The level of complexity is determined by the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the body and its continuous activity. The rehabilitation period after plastic surgery is variable and depends on the type of surgical intervention, the complexity and volume of the correction, and the individual characteristics of the patient. In order to ensure that the recovery period passes as comfortably and quickly as possible, that various complications do not develop, and that the final result meets your wishes, it is extremely important to take responsibility for the plastic surgeon's recommendations in the postoperative period and strictly follow all recommendations. his instructions.