Swelling After Rhinoplasty
Dealing with Pain and Swelling after Rhinoplasty
The idea of having to deal with the pain and swelling after rhinoplasty surgery can be a little scary to some. The best way to prepare for the recovery period after plastic surgery is to understand what the typical recovery involves and measures that can be taken to make one more comfortable. We are going to take a look at the basic surgical procedure, as well as what to expect during recovery and ways to manage pain and swelling after rhinoplasty.
The basics of a rhinoplasty procedure
Rhinoplasty, or surgery of the nose, can completely alter the entire shape and appearance of a person’s nose. By sculpting and re-shaping the cartilage and bone of the nose, the surgeon can create a variety of alterations. There are two typical ways that a rhinoplasty procedure can be performed, which are the open and closed methods. The open method is most preferred because it allows the surgeon a better visibility of the inside of the nose, which in turn allows them much more freedom with sculpting. During this procedure, an incision is made across the columella, or the area between the nostrils. The surgeon then lifts the skin away from the tip of the nose to expose the underlying cartilage and bone beneath. While this method does result in a bit of minor scarring, it is the most versatile and recommended procedure.
A closed rhinoplasty surgery is ideal for small changes and does not result in external scarring. In this procedure, the incisions are made on the inside of the nostril and therefore any scarring that results will not be visible from the outside of the nose. While the surgeon’s movements have greater restrictions with this type of surgery, there is still a wealth of possibilities that can be achieved through this procedure.
Recovering from a rhinoplasty procedure
One thing to bear in mind before even considering gong under the knife is the fact that everyone’s body is different. People heal differently and therefore what one person experiences during recovery from plastic surgery may be totally different from the recovery of another person. That being said, there are certain things that most patients are likely to experience during rhinoplasty recovery—we will refer to this as the “typical recovery”.
A typical recovery from a rhinoplasty surgery usually involves two to ten days of moderate to severe discomfort. Bruising and swelling is almost certain to occur, but the length of time that this lasts largely depends upon the type of surgery that was performed. For a closed surgery, the average duration of swelling and bruising usually lasts no more than six weeks. For an open surgery, this time is bumped up to a possible six months. Most patients are advised to wait about two or three weeks off of work and to refrain from exercise for a minimum of six weeks. A splint is placed on the nose to help it retain its shape. The splint is usually removed about a week after the surgery.
Managing the pain and swelling after rhinoplasty surgery
As mentioned earlier, the average “discomfort” from this procedure can last up to about 10 days. During this time, the patient is often advised to take pain medication in order to manage the discomfort. The patient should speak with their surgeon to determine what the best type of pain reliever for them is. Some people do find with everyday anti-inflammatory medications such as Aleve or Advil, but in some cases the surgeon may wish to prescribe a stronger medication. Swelling is likely to occur around the eyes, but an ice pack or cold compress can be applied to the area for twenty minutes at a time, every three or four hours to help reduce swelling. This should be done for the first two days after the surgery. It is not recommended that one applies the compress or ice pack directly against the nose, as this could cause the delicate tissues to lose their shape. As with any type of swelling, elevation is the key to reduce swelling. One should try to sleep in an upright but reclined position to prevent excessive blood flow to the nasal area. In order to reduce further discomfort, one might want to consider using a humidifier, as this will lessen the chances of the tissues inside the nose becoming overly dry.
The best way to handle swelling and pain from a surgical procedure is to do exactly what the surgeon says. Most patients receive a recovery care guide to follow once they return home. Sticking to this guide is the best way to ensure a speedy and smooth recovery.