Post Date: 7/16/2021
How the healing process will work and when they can return to social life after surgery are among the issues that patients who are considering rhinoplasty are concerned about.
Patients need some time to recover after a nose job to achieve an aesthetic nose shape and/or to eliminate functional problems. This period lasts for an average of 10-15 days and patients are recommended to spend this healing process at home by resting. For this, working or studying patients should choose a period in which they can get time off for surgery. The rhinoplasty (aesthetic nose surgery) surgery can be done in all seasons of the year; so the important thing here is to choose the most appropriate time for the patient.
Our patients often ask how the postoperative process progresses and what awaits them in this process. As it is known, rhinoplasty surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so patients are kept under monitoring for a few hours after the operation and if no complications are encountered, they are discharged.
Patients should be fed with liquid foods for the first 1-2 days and should stay away from hot and spicy foods for a while. Soft foods can be consumed after day 4, and solid and liquid foods can be consumed together after the first week. It will be beneficial to wait two weeks to switch to solid foods because during this healing process, the nose may be affected and minor complications may occur during chewing on hard foods.
More or fewer bruises and swelling occur on the faces of the patients after open rhinoplasty surgeries. These bruises and swelling are completely normal and expected, and they disappear within a week at the latest. Ice treatment can be applied for faster relief of edema and bruises. Patients can accelerate the healing process if they spend the first week in bed; sleeping with a double pillow is recommended as it will help reduce edema by keeping the head high.
In addition to edema, you can expect mild postoperative pain. Generally, the pain killers we give are sufficient for our patients and they don’t need any extra medication. Patients with a lower pain threshold can be given supplemental pain relievers if necessary. Postoperative medications are painkillers, antibiotics against the risk of infection, and antihistamines against possible allergic reactions. These should be used exactly as prescribed, and no medication should be used without the doctor's knowledge.
Small walks and light exercises can be started one week after the surgery, but it is critical to avoid heavy and tiring exercises for at least 1 month.
At the end of the operation, splint, tape, and silicone pads are placed on the patient's nose. These are taken when the patients come to the doctor's control one week after the operation. Most patients can return to their social lives 10 days after rhinoplasty, but you should remember that the healing process will take up to 6 months and it is necessary to have the patience to see the final results of the surgery. Between 6-12 months, the remaining swelling passes completely and the new nose shape fully emerges. You shouldn’t delay your monthly doctor appointments in order to avoid any mishaps during this period.
If you consider having rhinoplasty surgery, contact us right away to get a free consultancy service from Prof. Dr. Selçuk İnanlı.
🌎 +90 533 798 23 85
