After each surgery there is inevitable some swelling and in this rhinoplasty is no exception. The exact procedure varies from person to person; according to the desired result, in some cases it is necessary to fracture or alter the nose bone during the operation. Any surgery that involves manipulation of the bones causes swelling of the site that can last several weeks or more. Follow the instructions given to you by your surgeon and apply some remedies to keep the edema under control.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Follow Preoperative Instructions to Reduce Swelling
Step 1. Follow the directions given by the surgeon
He will give you a set of specific instructions that you will need to start following two weeks before the operation. Some are safety procedures that you must put into practice to avoid unwanted phenomena during and after the surgery. Other indications help the body prepare for and heal from rhinoplasty, including remedies to control swelling.
- Every surgery, every surgeon and every patient is different. The extent of postoperative swelling depends on many factors.
- Pay attention to the instructions given by your doctor to minimize swelling.
Step 2. Start by making lifestyle changes two weeks before your rhinoplasty
Be very careful about the changes you need to make to your drug therapy and start well in advance. Good coordination and communication between your primary care physician, the specialists you have referred to and the surgeon is required. Medicines can cause changes, which in turn can have negative consequences during and after surgery, for example they could prolong the duration of edema.
- Two weeks before your surgery, start changing your prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements.
- The body needs some time to completely excrete the medicines and return to its normal condition.
Step 3. Work with the medical staff who care for you
Provide your surgeon with a complete list of all medications you take, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications, at least 30 days prior to your scheduled surgery date. In this way, you allow all the doctors involved to consult with each other to evaluate which active ingredients you need to discontinue in advance and which ones you should continue to take.
- Never stop or change medication without talking to your doctor.
- Go to your doctor or specialist in time; some active ingredients must be gradually reduced before being discontinued.
- For some prescription drugs, the dosage should not be discontinued or altered. Tell your surgeon about any medications you need to continue taking constantly, including the day your rhinoplasty is scheduled.
Step 4. Stop taking over-the-counter medicines
Your surgeon will let you know if you can continue taking certain active ingredients, such as acetaminophen. You will need to stop many, but not all, and the surgeon will give you the correct instructions to do so.
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, must be stopped two weeks before surgery.
- This class of drugs can cause more bleeding and consequently more swelling.
Step 5. Plan to stop taking herbal supplements
These too should be suspended 2-3 weeks before rhinoplasty; it is generally best not to take them again before surgery and your doctor will explain exactly how to do this.
- Some supplements interfere with anesthetic medications, while others increase bleeding and swelling after the procedure.
- Also consider excluding products that contain omega-3 and omega-6, such as fish oil, flaxseed, ephedra, feverfew, hydraste, garlic, ginseng, ginger, licorice, valerian and kava. This is not a complete list, so always ask your surgeon for more information.
Step 6. Eat a healthy diet
Proper nutrition promotes healing and reduces swelling; this means that you must start following her as soon as possible and continue throughout the period of convalescence and recovery.
- Consume high-fiber fruits and vegetables, such as peas, lentils, artichokes, Brussels sprouts, lima beans, and black beans.
- Foods rich in fiber prevent constipation that is often caused by painkillers given to control postoperative pain. Overexertion to defecate leads to wound bleeding and further edema.
- Reduce your sodium intake to decrease post-rhinoplasty edema.
- Maintain a good level of hydration in the week leading up to the day of the operation. A good amount of fluids promotes healing and reduces inflammation.
Step 7. Stop smoking and avoid alcohol
If you are a smoker, you need to stop this bad habit several weeks before surgery.
- The recovery phase is slower in people who smoke.
- Additionally, smoking increases the risk of infections.
- Don't drink alcohol. Since these drinks thin the blood, you shouldn't have them in the five days before surgery.
Part 2 of 3: Reduce Postoperative Swelling
Step 1. Expect bruising and swelling
The nose has undergone an invasive operation and these reactions are completely normal. Every person and every surgical procedure is different, so the severity of the bruise and edema can vary.
- The swelling will remain visible for about two weeks. This is the best time to apply all remedies to manage it, as the tissues are on the mend.
- It may take years for the internal swelling in your nose to go away completely, but in two to three weeks your acquaintances won't notice that you have had facial surgery.
- The hematoma typically occurs under the eyes and can last for several weeks.
Step 2. Apply a cold pack
Start immediately, as soon as you get home after surgery, by placing a cold compress around your nose. Make it come into contact with the area around the eyes, forehead, cheeks and of course the nose, but avoid putting ice directly on the nose. This is an important procedure for controlling the swelling.
- Use a cold pack as often as you can for the first few days after rhinoplasty. Do not place ice directly on the skin.
- The worst swelling occurs on the third postoperative day; the more often you apply ice in the first two days, the less swelling you will develop in the third.
- Remember not to place the ice pack directly on your nose, otherwise you will put pressure on the top of the nasal septum.
- Different surgeons have different preferences regarding the cold pack to use. Some recommend a bag of frozen vegetables, others crushed ice, or a cold gel pack. Whichever you choose, remember to wrap a washcloth or sheet around the compress before placing it on your face.
- Continue using cold therapy beyond the recommended 48 hours to control swelling; in this way you also relieve pain.
Step 3. Keep your head up
It is important that the head is always higher than the heart, even when you are sleeping or resting. Likewise, avoid bending forward, especially when trying to limit swelling.
- It is not easy to find a comfortable sleeping position, as you have to keep your head elevated.
- Try sleeping with three pillows under your head. Make sure you are properly lifted and that there is no risk of "falling" off the pillows.
- Sleep in a recliner for at least two weeks after rhinoplasty.
- You don't have to lean forward in the first two weeks after surgery.
- This means you don't even have to lift heavy loads. This action makes swelling worse and exertion increases blood pressure, which in turn could cause the wound to bleed again.
Step 4. Do not touch the dressings
Medical tape, splint, and nasal swab will likely be quite uncomfortable. However, they were precisely applied by the surgeon to promote healing and reduce swelling. Even if they bother you, leave them alone, as they help manage edema.
- The surgeon will remove the swab and splint within a week. It may also replace the splint to keep swelling under control.
- Change dressings exactly as you were taught, but don't touch the splint and tampon.
- The surgeon may have applied additional bandages to the tip of the nose to collect fluid and blood drained from the wound. All this allows to avoid a worse edema.
- Change your secretion dressing by following the instructions given to you to the letter. Don't take it off too soon and avoid applying too much pressure during the procedure.
Step 5. Walk
You may not really feel like moving, but a little bit of movement helps control swelling.
- The sooner you start walking the better. Movement prevents thrombus formation and reduces edema.
- Don't start your normal exercise routine again until your doctor gives you permission to do so.
Step 6. Take your prescribed medications as directed
Strictly follow your surgeon's instructions for any medications recommended to you to control pain and edema. Do not take different active ingredients without the consent of the doctor who performed the rhinoplasty.
- Return to taking your usual medications as directed by your surgeon and your GP or specialist.
- It is essential to gradually increase the dosage of some prescription drugs to return to the usual dosage.
- Only resume taking over-the-counter medications and herbal products if your surgeon allows you to. Some of these could increase swelling and / or trigger bleeding. You will have to wait two to four weeks, depending on the doctor's decisions.
Step 7. Make changes in your personal hygiene habits
Instead of taking a shower, bathe for the time you need to keep the dressing. The excess steam and moisture that is generated by the shower could loosen the bandages or nasal pads and alter the tissue healing process.
- Ask your surgeon when you will be able to shower normally again.
- When washing your face, be very careful not to move the dressings and not to bump your nose.
- Brush your teeth gently. Try to avoid sudden movements near the upper lip.
Step 8. Don't apply unnecessary force to your nose
Sudden pressure, bumps, or force applied to the nose can cause more swelling and interfere with the healing process.
- Don't blow your nose. You will feel extra pressure in the nasal passages, but the force exerted by the breath could damage sutures, tissues, worsen edema and lengthen recovery times.
- Do not inhale forcefully as when you have rhinorrhea, you could create unnecessary pressure leading to edema or move dressings and tampons, in addition to the fact that you will extend the healing time.
- Try not to sneeze. If you feel the need to do this, work to release the pressure from your mouth, such as during a cough.
- Excessive laughter and smiles can also change the position of the muscles and ligaments that support the nose and consequently apply pressure to the wound.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of the Nose
Step 1. Be patient
A slight swelling and some pressure will remain for about a year after the rhinoplasty. Visible edema should disappear within a few weeks, but it will take a few months or more for the tissues to return to normal.
- Most rhinoplasty procedures involve very small changes, often so small that they can be measured in millimeters.
- It is possible that you do not see the results you were hoping for and you may consider the possibility of a second surgery.
- Some of the internal tissues need up to 18 months to heal and dissipate any kind of swelling. Other parts of the nose will continue to change and adapt for a year or more following the most recent procedure.
- For all these reasons, most surgeons do not consider the possibility of a "touch-up" before a year has passed since the last surgery.
Step 2. Apply sunscreen
You must always protect your skin from dangerous sunlight with a cream and suitable clothing.
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen that filters out both UVA and UVB rays and has a minimum factor of 30.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim or a visor that keeps your face in the shade.
Step 3. Avoid applying pressure
Make sure your nose is not stressed for four weeks after the rhinoplasty. Your surgeon may also suggest longer times, based on how invasive the procedure was.
- Do not wear eyeglasses or sunglasses as they create pressure on the nose.
- If you have to wear those out of sight, do everything to avoid them weighing too much on the surgery site. For example, you can pin them to your forehead with tape or have them rest on your cheeks.
Step 4. Pay attention to the clothes
Do not wear clothing that you need to put on and off your head for at least four weeks or more, according to the advice of your surgeon.
- Choose shirts or blouses that button at the front or dresses that slip off the feet.
- Don't use hoodies and sweaters for the same length of time.
Step 5. Exercise cautiously
You will need to make changes to your exercise routine if it involves very strenuous activities that can put pressure on your nose. Even if you think this is not possible, remember that certain exercises that involve downward and upward movements can damage the nasal tissues, hindering a proper healing process.
- Avoid activities like jogging and running. Basically, stop any sports and workouts during which you might get a blow to the face, such as football, rugby, or basketball.
- Only participate in low-impact activities and exclude high-impact ones, such as aerobics.
- Yoga and stretching are great alternatives, but avoid postures that require bending forward or lowering your head. All of this could cause increased pressure on the surgery area and interfere with healing.
- Ask your doctor when you can return to normal training.
Step 6. Eat a balanced diet
Go back to the diet you started several weeks before your rhinoplasty or set a balanced diet that includes all food groups.
- Continue to eat high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables stick to a low-sodium diet until your doctor tells you you can do differently.
- Do not start smoking again if you quit before surgery. Likewise, try not to expose yourself to secondhand smoke because it is an irritant.
