The swelling will peak the second or third day after your surgery. Generally, it will be worse when you first arise in the morning—proof that it's better to remain elevated as much as possible.
Many people are ready and able to go back to work within 1 to 2 weeks after their nose job. After day three, you should start to feel more comfortable and up to slowly getting back into a routine. Bandages are typically removed seven days after your rhinoplasty procedure.
Use ice packs or cool compresses on areas around your nose which are swollen or bruised. Don't apply ice directly to your nose or the skin on your face. Natural supplements such as arnica and bromelain may help to aid the healing process and reduce any swelling and bruising after surgery.
Walking after rhinoplasty is great for a few reasons. It helps you avoid boredom, for one thing. It can also help keep you regular and can help reduce muscle soreness or weakness, which can result if you sit still for too long. Walking also gets your blood flowing, which helps reduce swelling.
Another important step in minimizing rhinoplasty swelling is drinking plenty of water. By staying hydrated, you can flush toxins out of your body, helping the swelling to dissipate more quickly.
2 Weeks After Rhinoplasty: At this point, you will probably experience a dramatic reduction in post-op swelling, and any bruising will likely have disappeared. As swelling recedes, the new shape of the nose becomes more apparent and distinguishable.
Bland foods with balanced protein and carbohydrates that are like a Mediterranean diet are felt to be helpful to reduce inflammation. The key is to stay hydrated with water and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption.
You'll need to sleep in an elevated position for at least one week, however, it's generally recommended that you wait around 10-14 days before returning to your regular sleeping positions.
After the first week
You can also start to rinse out the nose with a mild saline solution. You can also put the saline solution on a cotton swab to carefully scrub the inside of your nose. After about a month to six weeks, your nose should be able to handle your regular cleaning routine.
Nose taping after rhinoplasty is beneficial for many reasons. The primary benefit is that it helps to decrease swelling fluctuations after the procedure. It also helps improve: Bruising.
Sleeping on your side or stomach is not recommended for several weeks after the procedure because it places unnecessary pressure on your nose. Resting on your back in an elevated position cuts down on congestion and minimizes swelling after rhinoplasty surgery.
Since the nose retains fluid (for up to a year) following surgery, the massaging motions and compression help push the edema or tissue fluid out of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. This can help mold the nose into a more refined, narrow shape as well as straighten the nose.
It might be several months before you see the full effect of the operation, and up to 6 months for the swelling to completely go. After about a week: Stitches can be removed (unless you had dissolvable stitches). The splint may also be able to come off. At 3 weeks: Bruises, swelling and redness may have faded.
Nose Tip Swelling After Rhinoplasty
The nose tip swells more than other face parts after a nose job. This is because the nasal tip is located on a cartilaginous tissue and consists of soft tissue and thick skin; therefore, its skin conforms to the new contour slower and causes swelling.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
It also increases your risk for hematoma, or a collection of blood beneath the skin, and can make swelling worse.
After a rhinoplasty procedure, don't be surprised if your smile is temporarily affected by post-operative swelling. The effect is temporary and your smile will return to normal after the initial swelling has dissipated. This may take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
Don't touch your nose: Patients should take great care to avoid putting any pressure on their nose, including even touching the nose, for at least 1 – 2 weeks after surgery, or until Dr. Khorsandi advises that it is okay to do so.
The reality is that many rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty patients can appear wider at 3 weeks out than they did before surgery. This can be especially noted if grafting was performed as part of your nasal reshaping process. Stay calm and allow the healing process to unfold.
Three weeks post-rhinoplasty, about 70 percent of swelling is gone. This is the time when a patient starts to recognize the changes and begins to appreciate the new shape of his or her nose. It's ok, actually quite normal, to feel a little self conscious at this time.
The swelling experienced after surgery should subside after about four weeks and it's at this point that you will begin to notice marked improvement in the shape and size of the tip of your nose.
The taping helps reduce swelling and promote healing. The tape should be worn continuously until the second week after surgery. The third and fourth week you will tape your own nose before you sleep.
Although it is difficult, it is extremely important to be patient throughout this process, as the swelling that persists in the tip may cause your nose to appear asymmetrical or bulbous. While this can be frustrating, it is a normal part of the recovery process and the swelling in the tip will continue to dissipate.