What to Expect When Recovering from Rhinoplasty –

While rhinoplasty – aka a “nose job” – is a serious surgery, it is also very common and safe surgical procedure. When performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Ali, recovery problems are extremely rare and you are ensured beautiful, long-lasting results.

However, following the advice of your plastic surgeon after a rhinoplasty procedure is crucial to ensuring the long-term success of your nasal procedure! The information in this article is general in nature only to give you an idea what a person can typically expect after a nose job surgery. However, every surgery is different – so always discuss your procedure with your surgeon and follow their specific suggestions and recommendations for your rhinoplasty aftercare and recovery.

The First Week After Rhinoplasty Surgery

Immediately after your surgery is completed, you’ll be given a small, aluminum frame to cover your nose. This will ensure your nose is protected adequately during the first week of recovery.
In some situations the physician may need to use nasal packing to stabilize the nose after the procedure. Soft silicone splints can also be used to stabilize the internal structures of the nose during the first week of recovery.
You will experience a bit of discomfort or pain after the surgery, however with the use of long-term anesthetic, discomfort after a rhinoplasty is very minimal. (Note that any significant increase in pain after your procedure is a sign to call your surgeon immediately.)
Swelling will occur after surgery, so you can expect to feel congested for a while after. Your nasal passages may be partially or completely obstructed. However, splints can prevent complete blockage. To ease this congestion, you can take an over-the-counter decongestant with your doctor’s approval.
To reduce swelling, keep your head elevated higher than your heart. Bruising and swelling are usually worse on the second day after your surgery, but will improve after that.
For about 48 hours after your nose job, you will have a drip pad under your nostrils for nasal discharge. This will collect blood or excess liquid – which is normal for the first few days. Be sure to clean the drop pad every time you clean your nasal area.
It is important to keep the area clean and free of blood and other liquids. Dip a Q-tip in hydrogen peroxide and gently clean the inside of your nostrils. You can then use an antibiotic ointment to prevent dried blood, with the permission of your doctor.

1 Week After Rhinoplasty

Any external sutures used will be removed about a week after your surgery. If splints were used, they will be removed when your cast is removed.
Keep the now exposed incision area clean by wiping it very gently with a Q-tip soaked in hydrogen peroxide, and apply an antibiotic ointment to the incision two to three times a day.
After 1 week the pain and discomfort should have subsided substantially.
It is normal to experience a temporary loss of sensation in the tip of your nose, upper front teeth and/or roof of your mouth after a rhinoplasty. Nasal surgery causes a temporary disruption in the nerves in this area. Over the weeks following surgery, all sensation should return to normal.
Just as with numbness, your sense of smell may be altered due to disruption of some nerves during the procedure. You may notice a slight decrease or alteration in both your sense of smell and taste. However, after about a week, this should improve, as well.

What to Avoid After Rhinoplasty

For the first month following your rhinoplasty, you should plan to wear contact lenses instead of glasses. Avoid resting your glasses on the bridge of your nose until your surgeon gives you the okay.
Do not travel by plane for at least two weeks to avoid problems with sinus blockage.
Avoid any activity that can accidentally jar or injury the nose, such as vigorous sex, sports, or athletic activities until your physician gives you the go ahead.
Once the incision has healed, be sure to wear sunblock for 6 months after your surgery to avoid discoloration.

When to Call Your Doctor After Rhinoplasty

If you notice any of the following, it is important to contact your surgeon right away:

Fever exceeding 100 degrees
Unusual or excessive bleeding from the nose
Injury to the nose
Significant increase in pain that cannot be managed by prescribed medication

Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon – Troy Michigan

Rhinoplasty is a routine procedure, and if you follow all after-care instructions as provided by your surgeon, you should have beautiful, long-lasting results. If you ever have questions or concerns during your recovery period, don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon.

Schedule a Rhinoplasty Consultation with a Troy, MI area Rhinoplasty Surgeon: 248-335-7200

Rhinoplasty Offers Cosmetic and Medical Benefits

When most people think of a “nose job” they assume it is strictly a cosmetic procedure. But rhinoplasty is much more than just a remedy for living with a nose that leaves you unhappy when looking in the mirror. When performed by a skilled Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, rhinoplasty can also have a very real and positive medical impact on your life.

Rhinoplasty: More than Just Cosmetic Surgery

“The most obvious impact of a nose job is that it can improve your appearance,” says Birmingham, Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Ali. “An improved appearance can then lead to improved self-esteem, which can improve your quality of life. If you’ve been self-conscious of your appearance your entire life because of your nose, after surgery is finished, you may find a renewed sense of self and happiness. Because you feel better about yourself, you’ll feel more confident and feel a desire to improve other areas of your life.”

But a rhinoplasty can also help you live a better and healthier life. A nose job not only improves the look of the nose, it improves its function, too. So if you have breathing problems or even sleeping problems, a rhinoplasty may be the answer for you.

Rhinoplasty for Breathing Problems

People often assume when someone says they have a deviated septum, it’s just a “cover up” for a nose job surgery. But deviated septums are a very real medical condition that can lead to difficulty breathing, seriously impacting a person’s quality of life. In a patient with a deviated septum, the center piece of cartilage is deviated, or off center. It can occur due to an injury, but is most often genetic. Because the cartilage is off center, it can impede airflow between your nostrils and passageways.

Other patients may have narrowed nasal airways that lead to decreased oxygenation – this is not only uncomfortable but can lead to lethargy, lack of stamina and increased risk of infection. Breathing issues due to narrowed or obstructed airways may also lead to decreased sense of smell, frequent nosebleeds, sleeping problems, hypertension and even heart disease.

For many breathing problems, rhinoplasty surgery is the ideal medical solution – improving your health and your quality of life.

Rhinoplasty for Sleep Issues & Snoring

If you experience sleep issues, your nose and nasal passages (airways) are likely playing a big role in the problem. Loud snoring might be annoying to your partner, but it may also indicate a much more serious health issue for you. Loud snoring may indicate that you have an obstructed airway, which can be dangerous and shouldn’t be ignored. It may indicate a more serious condition, known as “obstructive sleep apnea” or OSA.

OSA is caused by poor nasal airways, and is characterized by stoppages in breathing in the middle of the night that can jolt you awake. Not only does it result in a restless night’s sleep for you, it is also dangerous. While some cases of sleep apnea are caused by throat muscles that relax too much, others cases are caused by a severely deviated septum. In these cases, rhinoplasty performed by a Board Certified surgeon can improve both your breathing, your sleep, your snoring and your overall health.

Rhinoplasty for Sinus Headaches

Rhinoplasty can also offer relief for some sufferers of sinus headaches. If sinuses don’t drain properly, you may think you are just constantly fighting colds, or blame it on allergies. But in reality, if your nasal passageways are not able to properly drain the mucus from your sinuses it can lead to pressure, sinus infections and severe headaches.

A skilled board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali can correct a deviated septum and clear your airways and nasal passageways – providing lifelong relief from sinus pressure and headaches.

Best Birmingham Rhinoplasty Surgeon

“Many people may think a nose job is only performed to make someone look better,” says Dr. Ali. “And truthfully, if that is your reason for surgery, that is more than enough, because when you feel better about the way you look, you’ll also feel better about life. But, for many people, a rhinoplasty can offer relief from serious issues that affect them. The ability to breath and sleep better, and say goodbye to sinus pressure are amazing benefits that can greatly improve your life.”

Schedule a Consultation with a Birmingham, Michigan Rhinoplasty Surgeon: 248-335-7200

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