Rhinoplasty is a major surgery and one that requires a lot of time and patience to recover from.

However, the results that you will be able to enjoy after your recovery period will be well worth it.

Many patients tend to be unhappy with the slow progress of their healing after their procedure but it’s important to remember that everyone heals at their own pace and there’s no exact science to how much time your body will need to fully recover.

Your post-surgery symptoms will seem more severe at first but will slowly start dissipating over the course of the first month following your procedure.

What to expect immediately after surgery

How quickly post-surgery symptoms improve will always vary from patient to patient but there are a few things that you can expect immediately after your rhinoplasty procedure.

It’s important to note that these are just some general symptoms and side effects that you can probably expect and you should still follow your surgeon’s post-care instructions as every surgeon’s instructions and advice may differ.

Swelling & bruising

This is the most common side effect of a rhinoplasty procedure and every patient will experience some bruising and swelling to some degree. The bruising and swelling will be worst the morning after your surgery and will slowly start to fade over the next 2 weeks. Some patients do take Arnica pills to reduce swelling after their surgery at Ritz Plastic Surgery Malvern but it’s best to speak to your surgeon about this before you go ahead. Some natural alternatives to reduce swelling include pineapple and kiwi. Any supplements that contain vitamin C and K are also great for helping the skin recover and to prevent blood clots.

Pain and discomfort

Unfortunately, pain and discomfort are an inevitable side effect of your rhinoplasty procedure. Some of the discomfort that you can expect includes:

  • Dry mouth
  • Congestion and difficulty breathing
  • Nose bleeds
  • Sinus pressure
  • Swelling in the nostrils
  • Post nasal drip
  • Numbness that can last for up to 3 months
  • Tenderness in the nose and the face
  • Obstruction of the nasal pathways

To alleviate some of this discomfort, avoid bending over too much for the first 2 weeks following your surgery. It’s also best to refrain from partaking in any physical activities that may elevate your heart rate for at least 6 weeks following your procedure.

Staying out of direct sunlight for at least 4 weeks after your surgery is also recommended as swelling and numbness in the nose can increase your chances of getting sunburned.

A nasal spray can be used to alleviate any congestion and pain in the sinuses but it’s important to not overuse it to prevent dependency.

Recovering from a major surgery such as rhinoplasty is not something that people generally look forward to but by getting enough rest and following your surgeon’s post-case instructions, you can look forward to the amazing results that you’ve been hoping for.