Rhinoplasty Recovery

The shape, size and appearance of noses is hereditary. In a few cases, accidents or injury or even some diseases alters the shape of the nose and the person goes in for rhinolasty or a nose job. Sometimes it is done on medical grounds, if the person finds it difficult to breathe because of the shape of the nose. In other cases, some ethnic people who do not like the shape of their nose may want to change it and undergo nose surgery to alter the appearance to suit the place they live in.

From 2003 there has been a non invasive type of procedure where the nose bumps can be smoothened, the cavities filled and even the tips of the nose can be changed using certain material. This procedure does not need surgery. In such cases the recovery is very fast and there is minimum bruising or discomfort.

In cases where surgery is used, to change the shape, size and appearance of the nose, there will be bandages and splints used during the recovery period. The nose surgery consists of using anesthesia, which may be local or general. It is up to the patient and the operating doctor to decide the procedure and the anesthesia to be used. The patient after the surgery will feel groggy or disoriented. He needs someone to take him home as the nose surgery is done on an outpatient basis requiring no hospitalization.

He may have tubes and splints inside his nose, which will be supported by splints outside the nose and bandaged for about seven days. He will have to sleep with his head elevated. The patient after nose surgery will have to avoid blowing his nose for a week. He should not expose himself to the sun, and he should avoid any risks, which will possibly hurt his nose. If he uses spectacles some arrangement has to be made so that the specs do not put pressure on the operated area.

He can expect some pain, discomfort, swelling and bruising. The doctor would have given him painkillers and medicines, which he should take regularly without fail. The splints, stitches and bandages will be removed after about a week, depending upon the progress of the patient and his recovery. He should still take it easy for some more weeks. He can resume normal work after two weeks.The pain may recur once in a while in the following weeks. He will have to wait for six months to a year to reach the final and permanent appearance of his nose after rhinoplasty.