The first week Some oozing is common from the nostrils in the first 2-3 days and also at the back of the throat. Patients are seen at 1 week to remove the sutures and ensure everything is healing normally. Some bruising under the eyes and cheek is normal at this stage but resolves within 10-14 days.
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.
The average recovery period is typically 7 to 10 days, but it always depends on the individual. Some rhinoplasties are accompanied by correction of a deviated septum to improve breathing or reduce the turbinates to also improve breathing and improve symptoms of allergy.
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.
Additional dos and don'ts after rhinoplasty include: 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.
3 to 6 Months: Numbness and abnormal skin sensations around your nose should be completely gone by this point. One year: By this point, the healing process should be complete, give or take a few weeks or months. You shouldn't experience any swelling, bruising, discomfort, redness, or pain at this point.
Smiling and laughing 2 weeks after a Rhinoplasty should not have any impact on the final result.
During the first week following rhinoplasty, the nose is hidden under a cast, so, it is not very appropriate to use make-up during this period. But after a week post surgery, you can start doing make-up. Meaning, make-up can be applied after removal of the facial plaster.
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.
You can take long walks approximately 1 week after rhinoplasty. By the second week, you can begin doing light treadmill and/or stationary bike exercises, but avoid exercises that include lifting of heavy weights. You can begin lifting light weights by the 3rd week.
The result of rhinoplasty is usually satisfactory at the end of the operation, but four to six weeks later we unfortunately observe that the tip occasionally droops.
The tip takes the longest time to heal and mold to the new framework because it's the thickest skin of the nose. If the tip of your nose is still very firm, it may mean that there is still some swelling.
2 Weeks After Rhinoplasty: Bruising and swelling is significantly reduced to the point where it's not noticeable to the casual observer. You will feel comfortable enough to return to work by the middle of the second week. Mild exercise may be resumed.
Use Q-Tip & Hydrogen Peroxide
Using a Q-Tip and hydrogen peroxide is a safe, effective way to clean and disinfect your nose and rhinoplasty incisions, but should only be done after any packing has been removed from your nose and face.
While light housework might not seem strenuous to you, it can potentially still raise your blood pressure which promotes swelling. After surgery, I recommend that my patients rest and avoid any physical activity for 3 weeks after their rhinoplasty procedure.
For the first two weeks following surgery, avoid pursing the lips as in whistling, applying lipstick, kissing, or sucking on a straw. Allowing the nose to heal with as little movement as possible will improve both your cosmetic and functional results.
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.
Swelling can persist for a year, and sometimes longer. This is especially true of the tip of the nose. Fortunately, most swelling will subside within two months, and you should be ready to present your new facial profile to the world in about two weeks.
If you have minimal swelling and bruising after rhinoplasty or even rhinoplasty with septoplasty and turbinate surgery to fix blocked breathing, you can return to work in the public eyes, perhaps as soon as six to seven days.
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. Applying a cold compress every hour or so can help to make you more comfortable.
It's vital that you do not blow your nose for two weeks and avoid sun exposure for six weeks. Because your reflexes are slowed, do not drive for one week, or until 24 hours after stopping your narcotic pain medication.
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.
Rhinoplasty can influence the appearance of the upper lip and make it look longer, but it does not actually change the height. If you express interest in making your upper lip more visible, your facial plastic surgeon may rotate or change the position of the nasal tip during a rhinoplasty procedure.
Your upper lip may appear stiff for a while, and you may feel that it interferes with your smile. This will disappear within a few weeks. The tip of the nose sometimes feels “numb” after a rhinoplasty, but this eventually subsides.