Yawning should also be avoided as extreme facial expressions may result in permanent damage to the rhinoplasty and the patient may not get their desired results. It is best to avoid extreme expressions for the first few weeks after getting the rhinoplasty done.
Limit facial muscle movements — This sounds obvious, but during your recovery you need to limit things such as laughing and smiling (only ask boring friends to stop by! No comedians on Netflix.). Be careful not to open your mouth too wide (yawning is a no-no). Keep your nose from stretching too much or from being hit.
You Can Sneeze
As long as you sneeze with your mouth open, to keep pressure off your nose, you'll be just fine.
SURGEON PROFILE
In a rhinoplasty where the bones need to be broken, they will usually be healed in 3 weeks and will not move afterwards. If the cartilage of the septum is crooked, it can sometimes deviate again even after healing is complete. Your surgeon can tell when healing is complete.
In summary, crying, laughing, and yawning are all activities that you should avoid or take caution with for the first few weeks after rhinoplasty surgery. While they will not physically ruin your results, they can cause temporary swelling and bruising.
Days 1 to 3
During the first 72 hours after your rhinoplasty, focus on taking it easy and letting your body rest. This is usually when the most tenderness, swelling and bruising will occur.
What to Do if You Accidentally Bump Your Nose. If you've accidentally bumped your nose after recently undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure, you should immediately apply a cold compress to help to reduce any swelling.
Nose taping is often recommended for 1-3 months after a rhinoplasty procedure. Dr. Miller provides patients with clear instructions for recovery care and taping.
Gently touching the nose after the splint is removed is fine. However avoid any trauma or blows to the nose for 6 weeks (to avoid injuring the newly positioned bones and cartilage).
Some patients may notice they seem to have a piggy nose after rhinoplasty. This is common and should not be a cause for concern. A nose upturned after rhinoplasty is mostly due to swelling and should resolve as the nose continues to heal. Keeping the head elevated and limiting activities should help resolve the issue.
Don't blow your nose for a week, but you may sniff backwards if needed. For the first week, do not lift anything over 10 pounds, bend forward with your head down, or strain in any way. Also, do not run or do any aerobic exercise that first week, however, you may walk as much as you like.
Rhinoplasty Recovery Rule #4: No Kissing!
And this goes for kissing babies, children, or even pets for six weeks after surgery. While it sounds crazy, bumps from toddlers' heads are actually a huge cause of breaks after rhinoplasty surgery!
You should avoid any sexual activities for two weeks after rhinoplasty because having sex release a large amount of adrenaline, which may cause nasal swelling and bleeding that may alter your surgical results. In addition to that, doctors recommend avoiding pursing the lips such as in kissing.
Avoid yawning or wide mouth opening for two weeks. Avoid nose blowing or sniffing through the nose for two weeks. Use a baby toothbrush on the upper teeth for two weeks following surgery.
Successful rhinoplasty surgeries make for happy patients, a proven fact of the procedure. Many rhinoplasty patients feel more confident, self-assured, and generally happier about their quality of life.
Because it can take up to 12 months for the nose to fully settle into its new form, the smile may feel a little stiff for some months. It is important to remember that a skilled surgeon will strike a balance between achieving an aesthetic goal and preserving a natural feel.
Swelling and Bruising.
Tissue injury, whether accidental or intentional (e.g. surgery), is followed by localized swelling. After surgery, swelling increases progressively, reaching its peak by the third day. It is generally worse when you first arise in the morning and decreases throughout the day.
How long should I wait after nasal surgery to kiss my partner? – I tell patients to wait 6 weeks before returning to contact sports, so if you consider kissing a contact sport, then 6 weeks. If not, then you can kiss your partner as soon as you are able to do so painlessly.
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.
Thus, sleeping on your side or stomach will not likely negatively impact your results, but it is important to be aware that it may result in additional swelling and/or bruising, thereby prolonging your recovery.
It's normal to get an itchy nose after rhinoplasty from the post-operative bandages, however, touching, scratching or massaging your nose after rhinoplasty is a big no-no. Using a saline intranasal spray along with a gentle moisturizer on the skin after the bandages are removed can help to keep nasal itching at bay.
Recovery typically progresses quickly. You'll feel the worst in the days right after surgery, but should improve every day. If you stay on top of your pain medication and get plenty of rest, rhinoplasty recovery doesn't have to be, and shouldn't be, a painful experience.
Your body must work extra hard after surgery, so it is normal to feel fatigued during the first few days post-op. Resting during this time is important, so you don't overwork your body. Additionally, when you sleep, your body is able to dedicate more blood flow to the injured muscles and tissues.
I recommend you not trying to 'overcome' this feeling as it is completely normal. Plus, smiling in this early period of rhinoplasty recovery can sometimes damage the surgical reconstruction that was performed – leading to a suboptimal result as time goes on.
Hard Foods
Hard to chew, sticky, and crunchy foods are on top of the list of foods to avoid after Rhinoplasty. It can contribute to your swelling, cause discomfort or even pain, and add to Rhinoplasty recovery time.