Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery that allows you to effectively correct post-traumatic consequences, completely restore tissue structures, correct nasal breathing, and also adjust the shape or size of the nose for aesthetic purposes.
The procedure is a kind of complication of surgical intervention, since this organ works continuously, participating in the breathing process, heating, hydrating and disinfecting the air. Due to its complexity, the recovery period requires more time compared to other types of plastic correction and requires the patient to strictly follow the surgeon's recommendations and prescriptions.
The speed and features of rehabilitation are individual and depend on many factors: complexity and volume of surgical intervention, correction methods, patient's health condition, doctor's qualifications, etc.
Phases of rehabilitation after rhinoplasty
The exact time of the recovery period in each clinical situation is determined individually, but any rehabilitation can be conditionally divided into several stages.
On the day of the rhinoplasty
The correction takes an average of 2-4 hours, most often it is performed under anesthesia, so on the first day after the intervention the patient is in the clinic under observation. Drowsiness, weakness and apathy may appear for several hours, but these symptoms disappear quickly and after 3-4 hours the patient can move independently and eat food. There may be difficulty in breathing through the nose due to nasal congestion and swelling. Hematomas often appear around the eyes and near the nose. The next day, the patient receives all the necessary recommendations and is discharged home.
Phase I - the first 7 days after correction
During this period, the patient's nose is fixed with a splint, which prevents the displacement of the structures, and silicone splints are inserted into the nasal passages, which allow maintaining nasal breathing. All this can cause discomfort in the first days - a feeling of tightness, a foreign body, a heavy feeling. Also, the early postoperative period is characterized by pain, severe swelling and possible hematomas.
At this stage, it is necessary to take the medications recommended by the doctor, rinse your nose, take complete rest, avoid any physical activity, sleep on your back with the head of the bed raised and refrain from makeup.
Phase II - 7-14 days after plastic surgery
The patient's well-being improves, the pain goes away, the hematomas resolve, the main swelling begins to decrease, but remains on the tip of the nose, on the back and on the sides. After about 10 days, the doctor removes the plaster splint, sutures and removes the splints. Restrictions remain for physical activity, hot and cold water procedures, use of decorative cosmetics and exposure to sunlight.
Phase III - 2 weeks-1 month after rhinoplasty
All signs of surgery disappear on the face and an improvement in the shape of the nose is observed. At the end of phase 3, physiotherapeutic procedures are indicated to strengthen the new structures of the nose. In 3-4 weeks, the patient can return to the usual rhythm of life and go to work.
Stage IV - 6 months-1 year
During this period, the nose takes the desired ideal shape, scars become invisible, all tissues are completely restored and at the same time all restrictions and restrictions are removed. After one year, cosmetic manipulations in the nose area are allowed.
What is especially important for the patient to pay attention to during the recovery period?
Particular attention should be paid to the hygiene and safety of the nose. It is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- Do not remove or cut the sutures yourself;
- avoid mechanical impacts on the nose area;
- treat the operated area with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection;
- When there is discharge, you should not blow your nose, you should clean the nasal passages carefully and using sterile cotton swabs;
- It is allowed to rinse the nose using a solution of sea salt.
If symptoms such as hyperthermia (temperature above 38 degrees), nausea, redness, hyperemia, increased pain at the site of intervention, continuous nosebleeds, shortness of breath occur, you should immediately visit a plastic surgeon.
Recommendations from a plastic surgeon to speed up and ease the recovery period
To make the rehabilitation period go faster, as comfortably and without complications, it is advisable to use some of the surgeon's recommendations, namely:
- after the manipulation, sleep only on your back with the head of the bed raised - this will increase the flow of fluids from the head and the swelling will be less pronounced;
- use cold compresses to reduce swelling - the compress is placed on the area near the nose, and not on the organ itself;
- after removal of the spleen, massage is allowed, aimed at activating the lymph nodes of the face, which also reduces swelling, improves blood supply and regeneration (active actions are unacceptable, the massage consists of applying light pressure with the fingers according to the principle: "finger touch " - "light pressure for 30 seconds" - "let go");
- For faster resorption of hematomas, it is allowed to apply special ointments recommended by the doctor.
Physiotherapy procedures are also well proven; the patient is prescribed microcurrent, ultrasound therapy, phonophoresis and mesotherapy. All manipulations are performed after removing the bandage; the specific type of procedure and its frequency are determined by the doctor, taking into account the patient's condition.
Post-operative appointments with the plastic surgeon
The patient must visit a plastic surgeon for follow-up at certain times:
- 7 days after manipulation;
- 1 month after the intervention;
- 2 months later;
- in 3 months;
- in six months;
- in one year.
After about 7-10 days, the doctor will remove the plaster splint. If the condition worsens or complications develop, an urgent visit to the surgeon is necessary.
Use of medications
The use of any local and systemic medication should be performed only as prescribed by the plastic surgeon. If necessary, analgesics can be recommended to relieve pain, diuretics to reduce swelling, drugs to improve microcirculation, and vitamin therapy in the autumn and winter postoperative period. A solution of sea salt is prescribed to rinse the nose; ointments are sometimes recommended to optimize blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
Nutrition and diet
The postoperative period includes some dietary restrictions. An important condition for correct and rapid regeneration is the rest of the face, therefore it is recommended to minimize the activity of the masticatory muscles.
On the day of the plastic surgery, you should stick to a light diet with liquid dishes, the next day regular food intake is allowed, but for 2 weeks you should avoid rough and hard foods that require chewing force, the food itself shouldbe to an extent. comfortable temperature. For a month after plastic surgery, it is recommended to limit the consumption of salty, sweet, smoked foods - foods that retain fluid in the body and, as a result, increase swelling. To improve metabolic processes, it is advisable to stick to balanced partial meals - 5-6 times a day.
RESTRICTIONS
Rhinoplasty does not limit the patient's social life, but during the recovery period it is recommended to be more careful about your health and focus on personal feelings: if any action is accompanied by discomfort, then you should avoid doing them. Also, during rehabilitation it is advisable to refuse:
- active blowing of the nose - only careful cleaning of the nasal passages is allowed;
- sleeping on the stomach and on the side - it is optimal to rest in a position on the back;
- wearing any glasses for at least 2 months, including corrective glasses;
- weight lifting and physical activity;
- visits to the sun room, bath, sauna;
- shower in extreme temperatures.
Various experiments with traditional medicine are strictly prohibited, especially for "solutions" made from food, hot compresses made from salt, etc. It is also important to remember that for the first two weeks you should not touch your nose, so be careful. of a comfortable wardrobe, it is better to use clothes with zippers or buttons.
Visible result
The first visible result can be estimated approximately one month after the correction, when the postoperative manifestations disappear. The nose takes a clearer shape after 6-8 months, with the final result in a year. With non-surgical rhinoplasty, the final result is visible a few hours after the procedure.
FAQ
When can you go to the sunroom after the operation?
Ultraviolet radiation and the thermal effect dilate blood vessels and capillaries, which can provoke bleeding, increase swelling and slow down the regeneration of soft tissues. You can visit the solarium no earlier than 6 weeks after rhinoplasty, when the hematomas have completely resolved and the edema syndrome has passed.
When can you exercise after rhinoplasty?
Sports exercises provoke an increase in heart rate and increased blood circulation, especially a blood flow to the face, therefore all activities should be postponed for 2-3 months and the return to professional sports - for at least six months.
When can you have sex after rhinoplasty?
Sex is a very significant physical activity that should be avoided in the first 2-3 weeks after the correction, otherwise bleeding, increased swelling is possible and any minor touch on the nose can deform the organ and affect the final result.
When can you shower after surgery?
Taking a shower is allowed 3-5 days after correction, only the water should be warm. It is important not to wet the plaster, it must remain dry, as the first change is possible at least 5 days after application.
When can you drink alcohol after surgery?
Ethyl alcohol, included in all alcoholic beverages without exception, slows tissue regeneration and negatively affects blood vessels and the heart, so it is extremely important to give up alcoholic beverages for at least a month after surgery.
How long does the swelling last after surgery?
Tissue swelling is a standard phenomenon after rhinoplasty. Swelling reaches its peak approximately 3 days after the correction, when swelling is observed on the nose, eyelids, cheeks and in some cases on the chin, then gradually begins to decrease. Visible manifestations resolve within 1-3 weeks. The remaining compression, invisible to others, disappears after 6-8 months.
How long after surgery can I go to the bathroom?
For 2 months after rhinoplasty, you should not expose your body to strong heat or sudden temperature changes. Therefore, for this period you should avoid visits to baths, sunbathing (including solariums) and contrast showers.
CONCLUSION
Rhinoplasty is a rather complex plastic surgery that is performed not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for therapeutic purposes. The level of complexity is determined by the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organ and its continuous functioning. The duration of rehabilitation after plastic surgery is variable and depends on the type of surgical intervention, the complexity and extent of the correction and the individual characteristics of the patient. To ensure that the recovery period is as comfortable and fast as possible, that various complications do not develop and that the final result corresponds to your wishes, it is extremely important to responsibly take the recommendations of the plastic surgeon in the post-operative periodand follow them all carefully. his instructions.