The nose is a complicated part of the body made up of cartilage, bone and soft tissue. A rhinoplasty, or nose job, surgery is complex, and recovery can sometimes be challenging. Here are a few tips to help make recovery as comfortable as possible.
Take Plenty of Time Off to Recover
The most important part of recovery is rest. You should take as much time off as you can, no less than a week, so you can recover completely before returning to work. There will be some bruising and you’ll have to sleep on your back with your head elevated, which may take some getting used to.
Expect Swelling and Some Discomfort
It’s always better to go into situations with realistic expectations, so preparing for some discomfort during the process will allow you to plan accordingly and begin feeling better faster. Make sure to follow the post-op instructions and take any medications on the exact schedule recommended in order to keep pain and discomfort at minimal levels.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is important to your everyday health, but especially when your body is trying to heal itself. Water helps deliver oxygen and nutrients properly to the areas of the body that need healing, and dehydration can severely delay your recovery.
Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
Both alcohol and tobacco products can hinder any recovery efforts and delay the process immensely. These substances interfere with tissue restoration, the growth of new blood cells and collagen production, and even increase the risk of infection. It’s just not worth it.
Prepare for a Dry Throat
A surprising part of recovery for many patients is having to deal with a dry throat. The packing of the sinuses with gauze during recovery means you will be breathing out of your mouth a lot more than usual, which can lead to dryness of the throat. There are a few things you can do to help with this, including using a humidifier in your room, drinking hot tea with honey, staying hydrated and sucking on lozenges.
For more information about recovery from rhinoplasty or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wortham, call us today at the Cosmetic Surgical Arts Center at 425-744-7771.