Prop up your head You will have to sleep with your head elevated for 24-48 hours after surgery to help the bleeding slow down and help the swelling resolve.
Do not lie flat. Raise your head with two or three pillows. This can reduce swelling. Try to sleep on your back for the month after surgery.
Luckily, one week post-operatively, it is safe to resume sleeping on your back or side, provided that you are careful to avoid putting pressure on your nose.
The first week is the most critical period for rhinoplasty healing. After 7-10 days, patients can begin to use other sleeping positions. Be careful to avoid putting pressure on the nose, and if you can sleep comfortably on your back while elevated, continue to do so.
Do not bend over or perform aerobic activities for at least a week. Exercise raises your pulse and blood pressure, which could may result in increase blood flow to the nose and lead to increase drainage. Your head should be elevated with extra pillows (a reclining chair may be used) for one week after discharge home.
The use of saline irrigation eight to ten (8-10) times per day in each nostril can be quite helpful to moisturize the nose and clear debris. Also, if you can take decongestants, these will help. They can be either in a spray (Afrin) or pill form (Sudafed).
And general guidelines for sleeping after rhinoplasty are: In the early recovery period it is beneficial to sleep on your back, with your head elevated on a pillow for at least two weeks to avoid lying on the side or front of your nose, (which would put pressure on and deform the operated area).
1–2 days Your nose will feel sore, and much more stuffy than it did before the operation. Once the dressings are removed from your nose, you may still need to breathe through your mouth for a week or so.
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.
You should not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make any major decisions for at least 24 hours after surgery. Your anesthesia may make you groggy and it will be hard to think clearly. The effects should wear off in about 24 hours. Limit activities that could make you fall or put more pressure on your face.
You may experience a feeling of stuffiness for 1-3 weeks following surgery, but it should lessen over time. If your doctor prescribes any kind of medicines and you're still feeling heavy pain after a week or two, it's okay to contact them and ask for advice.
This is an excellent question. Septoplasty performed properly should not significantly weaken your nose. Techniques used to fix septal deviation should rely more on modification of cartilage rather than removal. Many times, however, there is excess cartilage causing deviation that can be safely removed.
If a bed is your only option, you can use pillows: stack 2-3 pillows under your head to keep it propped up, and place 1 or 2 pillows on either side of your head to prevent you from rolling over accidentally in the middle of the night.
Two things that may reduce the swelling (the underlying cause of the pain) are to sleep with your head elevated (on 3 pillows) for the first 3 days following the procedure and to use ice or something like frozen peas in a bag placed over the bony part (highest area of the nose) of the bridge of your nose.
Elevating your head in bed prevents airway collapse, which reduces the frequency and intensity of sleep apnea. Additionally, it reduces snoring and can help you breathe if you are congested with the common cold. Elevating your upper body can also relieve back pain by eliminating pressure points.
Fatigue - Fatigue for two or three days following the surgery is common. Patients who have general anesthesia often find the fatigue can hang on for an extra day or two. You will want to take it easy for a few days following surgery. You should also avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days.
Sometimes, the doctor may use packing in your nose, so it may be necessary for you to breathe thru your mouth for a few days. Your mouth will be very dry after surgery because of some of the medications you received.
It is normal to have clots and drainage for at least a few weeks following rhinoplasty. I would encourage you to see your surgeon if you are having active bleeding. You may want to discuss the appropriate time to start blowing your nose with your surgeon as well - 12 days may be a little early for nose blowing!
Answer: No Nose Picking!
If you were to pull or disrupt the sutures/incisions in any way, it could lead to exposed cartilage and infection, or disruption of the structural work that was done on your nose.
The answer largely depends on what your doctor recommends, but usually patients will be able to wash their face within a few days of the procedure. Unless you have splints that need to stay dry before its removal, you should be able to maintain personal hygiene soon after coming home from the procedure.
Raise your head with three or four pillows. This can reduce swelling. Try to sleep on your back during the month after surgery. You can also sleep in a reclining chair.
And since no nasal bones need to be broken during surgery, there's no need for the surgeon to use packing in your nose. Most patients are able to return to work and their normal activities within five to seven days.
So, how long does it take to recover from rhinoplasty surgery? The average recovery period is typically 7 to 10 days, but it always depends on the individual.