Los Angeles Rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills - Revision Rhinoplasty
After Your Rhinoplasty Procedure Your rhinoplasty procedure is over. With each passing day, youll feel more energetic, and the delicate tissues in your nose are healing. Although youll be able to notice improvement in the shape of your nose right away, you wont see the final results for up to twelve months. By taking proper care of yourself and your nose during the all-important healing phase, youre assured of attaining the best results possible. Recovery at Home Once you leave the surgical facility, youll begin your recovery at home or at an aftercare facility. If youve prepared well, your recovery can be relatively stress-free and comfortable. Recovery time is highly individualized, but most rhinoplasty patients feel well enough to resume many normal activities and return to work or school in one to two weeks. Postoperative Instructions To ensure proper healing, your surgeon will provide you with detailed postoperative instructions, which youre expected to follow closely. The instructions are designed to help minimize pain, swelling, and discomfort during the recovery phase. Make sure your caregiver has a copy of the instructions. Caring for Your Nose The gist of postoperative instructions is to protect your nose while it
heals. Avoid touching, bumping, or rubbing it, and minimize smiling
because it causes movement in your nose. In addition, you need to avoid
sniffing and blowing your nose for at least ten days. What if you have to
sneeze after surgery? Its difficult to stifle a sneeze, so to protect your What about cleaning your nose? Youll be instructed on how to gently clean the exterior of your nose as well as the interior, just inside the nostrils where the incision are. You may also be advised to use a saline spray to help keep the inside of your nose clean. Sleeping on Your Back Its important to sleep on your back for a few weeks following surgery to prevent pressure on your healing nose. Sleeping on your side with your nose pressed against a pillow could push the healing structures out of shape. You may want to sleep in a recliner to ensure that you stay on your back. Minimizing Swelling and Bruising To minimize swelling, you will likely be instructed to keep your head elevated while you sleep. Most surgeons will also advise you to avoid bending over or lifting anything heavy for at least two weeks following surgery because these activities can aggravate swelling and can also raise your blood pressure and cause bleeding. Your surgeon may also prescribe steroids to help reduce swelling. Your surgeon may suggest using ice, frozen peas, or cold compresses to help reduce bruising around the eyes. Resuming Activities Your surgeon will give you a timetable for resuming rigorous activities. No doubt, this list will include instructions to avoid all contact sports and strenuous exercises for four to six weeks. Dont lift any objects that weigh a few pounds. Be cautious with small children and pets that may bump your nose. If you participate in any activities that dont appear on your surgeons timetable, be sure to ask when its okay to resume them. Food, and Drink Following rhinoplasty, a soft diet is recommended. Its best to avoid chewing gum as well as foods that are hard to chew because they cause too much facial movement. As for beverages, its important to avoid alcohol because it thins the blood and can lead to bleeding. Avoid drinking any beverages that contain caffeine. Avoid Wearing Glasses To help your healing nose maintain its shape, you wont be able to wear eyeglasses or sunglasses on the bridge of your nose for approximately four weeks. Your surgeon will provide you with alternative ways to wear glasses, such as taping them to your forehead or having them refitted so they rest more on your ears rather than on your nose. Pain Management The level of pain patients experience after rhinoplasty varies; however, most patients experience only mild discomfort. Many rhinoplasty patients do not need any postsurgical pain relief, but those who do often find over-the-counter pain relievers to be adequate. In some cases, prescription pain medication may be necessary. The pain relievers your doctor recommends may include opioid and non-opioid medications. Opioid Medications You must have a prescription from your surgeon to acquire opioid pain relievers, which are also called narcotics or opiates. Opioids are effective in controlling moderate to severe pain and are usually prescribed to help you remain pain-free during the first few days following rhinoplasty. Commonly prescribed opioids include Tylenol with codeine, Darvocet, and Vicodin. These drugs are safe when taken as directed so its important to follow your doctors instructions. Because opioids can cause constipation, your surgeon may also recommend an over-the-counter stool softener. Non-Opioid Medications Some non-opioid medications require a prescription from your surgeon, but many dont. These drugs are non-narcotic and are intended to control mild to moderate pain. Non-opioids include acetaminophen, which is found in Tylenol and Extra-Strength Tylenol, and are often recommended for pain relief following surgery. Remember that many over-the-counter pain relievers contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium, all of which are discouraged following surgery because they can thin the blood and increase bleeding. Be sure to take only the pain relievers your surgeon has recommended. Its important to take these medications as recommended because exceeding recommended dosages may harm the liver and/or kidneys. [next] |
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