Whether you want to make your nose smaller or larger or you’re looking to remove a bump or have an indentation smoothed over, rhinoplasty can give you a nose that matches the rest of your facial features and that improves your overall appearance. Plenty of articles on rhinoplasty focus on what you shouldn’t do after the surgery. We’re going to focus on what you can and should do after rhinoplasty to help your recovery period go as smoothly and as comfortably as possible.
Rest Up
That first week after rhinoplasty is usually a great time for you to rest up and unwind. Usually, it takes about a week for the majority of the swelling and bruising to decrease. There can be some mild residual bruising under the eyes during the second week. You will also be wearing a visible splint on your nose for that first week.
It would be a good idea to take a week off from work or school and try to outsource as many of your usual chores and tasks as possible. Remember, you’re meant to be healing from surgery. Don’t feel that you need to jump back into your usual activities right away.
Try to Get Some Light Exercise
While you do want to rest and relax, it’s usually a good idea not to go into full-on couch potato mode after rhinoplasty. Avoiding strenuous exercise is advisable. That includes anything that will put pressure on your nose, raise your blood pressure and heart rate and put your nose at risk of being hit by a flying ball or other object.
But gentle, light exercise, such as taking a walk around your neighborhood or going for a slow walk on an indoor treadmill, is a good idea. Light exercise will help to keep you limber and can help with the healing process. Plus, it can have a positive effect on your mood.
Switch to Contacts
For the first few weeks after rhinoplasty, you’ll want to avoid putting any sort of weight or pressure on your nose. That includes the weight of eyeglasses or sunglasses for one month.
If you can, it’s a good idea to switch to contacts for at least a few weeks. If the idea of putting your fingers near your eyes bothers you or if you just can’t wear contacts because of your prescription, you can try taping your glasses just above the nose area, so that they aren’t resting on the bridge of your nose.
Take Baths
When you have the splint in place, you’ll want to avoid getting it wet as much as possible. That means skipping the shower, which directs water towards your face, and giving baths a try, at least for the time when you’re wearing the splint. Otherwise, you can shower below the face and avoid getting your face wet.
You can still wash your face while the splint is on. Use a washcloth and wipe around the area with the splint, being careful not to get it wet or manipulate the splint.
Skip the Chewy Foods
You don’t have to limit yourself to soft foods while your nose heals after rhinoplasty. But you might find that some foods are a bit too difficult to chew and eat while you’re in the initial phases of recovery. Foods that require a lot of chewing to eat — such as steak — might be very tricky to eat while you’re recuperating. That’s because when you chew, your nose moves a bit too. That movement is more pronounced with foods that require more chewing.
If you’re not sure when it’s OK to try chewy foods again, you can always ask Dr. Agarwal for his recommendation and advice.
Schedule Your Rhinoplasty Consultation Today
To learn more about rhinoplasty and what to expect afterward, contact the Aesthetic Surgery Center to book an appointment with Dr. Anurag Agarwal. He has been featured on many of the major news networks, including ABC, NBC, and FOX, as a recognized expert on a variety of plastic surgery topics. Dr. Agarwal believes that educating and communicating with patients are the keys to helping them achieve successful, natural-looking results. Book your appointment at the Aesthetic Surgery Center, located at 1175 Creekside Pkwy, Suite 100, Naples, FL, by calling 239-594-9100.