It’s a common misconception that rhinoplasty and rhinoplasty recovery are painful, when in fact, rhinoplasty is more uncomfortable than anything. This blog will discuss lesser-known facts about rhinoplasty recovery, enabling patients to prepare and recover in peace and comfort.
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The Surprising Truth About Rhinoplasty
Let’s be honest: Rhinoplasty has somewhat of a bad reputation when it comes to plastic surgery myths. When you think of a painful recovery, you might think about rhinoplasty—but in fact, rhinoplasty is no more painful than any other procedure. For many patients, pain is a non-issue, as pain medication can work wonders during those first days of discomfort.
And “discomfort” is the operative word here, as that is what most likely experience rather than outright pain. Part of rhinoplasty’s bad reputation has more to do with the challenges of recovery, from a stuffy nose to difficulty sleeping, but it’s nothing you can’t handle with a little preparation and this handy list of tips.
How to Actually Prepare for Rhinoplasty: Tips for Success
Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure and is performed using general anesthesia, so you’ll be fully asleep and medicated during the procedure itself. You’ll be able to return home immediately following the procedure, and you’ll most likely sleep through the first day or so, as anesthesia wears off and pain meds kick in.
So what’s the big deal about rhinoplasty recovery? It’s uncomfortable! Many rhinoplasty patients look back on this period and are surprised at just how strange this process is. And that’s partially because facial procedures, rhinoplasty especially, make you feel sort of weird. Picture this: you have a splint of some sort, gauze stuffed up your nostrils, and a bandage covering the whole thing. You certainly can’t breathe through your nose at this point, and there’s some pressure throughout your sinuses and eyes; even your teeth might feel strange.
The reason rhinoplasty recovery can be so uncomfortable is that it involves manipulating cartilage, bone, skin, and tissue, which can cause significant swelling. So while rhinoplasty recovery is not particularly painful, it does pose some surprising challenges. Below, we’ll list some of the most surprising yet important rhinoplasty recovery realities.
Rhinoplasty Recovery Tips
- Rhinoplasty recovery can affect your whole face.
The initial swelling phase can be quite intense, especially if other parts of your face also swell up. It’s not uncommon, or a sign of something more serious, for your eyes, nose, and even jaw to swell up; it’s simply how your body reacts to trauma. But it can be a shock, so it’s best to know what to expect beforehand. You can apply a cold compress to the cheeks, forehead, jaw, and eyes to reduce swelling and improve comfort, just avoid touching or putting any pressure on your nose.
- Your mouth and throat will be dry and sore for a while.
One of the more uncomfortable aspects of rhinoplasty recovery is that you won’t be able to breathe through your nose for a while, so mouthbreathing it is! At least until your internal gauze is removed, but even then, your sinuses may still be swollen.
Prepare for this by stocking up on Aquaphor or another fragrance-free ointment for your lips, as well as cough drops or lozenges to help keep your throat moist and comfortable. Avoid menthol cough drops, as this can cause more nasal drip and irritation.
- Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of anesthesia.
Full disclosure: You may feel sick as you recover from anesthesia. We recommend just having some anti-nausea medication or ginger chews on hand, just in case you feel nauseous. And if you do throw up, it’s OK! The pressure on your nose may be uncomfortable, but it will subside. It’s not fun, but it happens. Clear broths or ramen can be helpful to get some food in your stomach if you don’t feel up to eating much else, especially if your throat is a little dry.
- Sleeping with your head elevated is a must.
This is kind of a non-negotiable rule, as sleeping with your head elevated will help reduce swelling and keep some of the pressure off your nose. This isn’t a particularly unknown tip, but we mention it because you’ll want to prepare thoroughly by ensuring you have enough pillows and cushions to create a comfortable sleep setup that’ll keep you in place and prevent you from rolling over during sleep. Many patients realize after the first night or so that they need more pillows than they initially thought.
- While rhinoplasty is not painful, it can take an emotional toll.
Rhinoplasty recovery works in stages, as your plastic surgeon will schedule multiple follow-up appointments to gradually remove the splints and dressings, so you’ll get to see your new nose as it gradually heals. But when you remove that splint, you have a lot of healing left to do, and the appearance of your nose can be alarming—it’ll likely be swollen, and the finer details that your surgeon put in will not be noticeable yet. Keep in mind, rhinoplasty recovery can take up to a year, as swelling remains for quite some time and you won’t see the final product until it fully subsides.
And while you may know that it’s not the final product, it can still be a little disappointing, even scary, to see your unhealed nose. It’s not uncommon to have a moment of “oh, what have I done?” Rather than spiraling, keep reminding yourself why you did this and of the confidence you’ll feel once you settle in. It’s especially shocking because you’ve just altered your nose, of all things, a very central part of your face!
We suggest staying calm, staying on track with your recovery plan, and reminding yourself (or having a friend or loved one remind you) of why you did this in the first place. Plastic surgery is about doing something for yourself to feel better and grow your confidence—it’s not about perfection. Your results will only continue to improve as you heal, and so will all the emotional benefits of this procedure.
Want to Learn More About Rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills, CA?
The best way to beat rhinoplasty recovery blues? Choose Beverly Hills’ premier facial plastic surgeon to the stars, Dr. Jason Diamond. Dr. Diamond is world-renowned as a top facial specialist, providing stunning yet natural-looking results that bring out your natural beauty. Call the Diamond Face Institute today at (310) 859-9816 or fill out the contact form to get started.