Since the placement of packing is not necessary except for some rare special situations, rhinoplasty operation is performed without packing. Instead at the end of the operation soft silicon splints are placed in in the nose to prevent blood accumulation under the mucosa. These splints do not cause significant discomfort or pain and are removed without causing discomfort in postoperative 2-3 days.
Apart from that, the bandage and plastic cast that is applied outside the nose is renewed in the first week after the surgery and are usually removed in the 10th day.
Since the nose is not a mobile structure, severe pain is not experienced after the surgery and simple painkillers are generally sufficient.
After the surgery, resting in a warm environment is recommended with the head slightly elevated. Warm shower can be taken in postoperative day one.
Cold application on the eyes in intervals for the first 24-36 hours is useful in order to prevent swellings and bruising around the eyes.
In the first postoperative week patients may have to come for a control because of rind formation and congestions that may occur inside the nose
After rhinoplasty surgery, recovery takes time and complete recovery may last for 6-12 months depending on the type of the surgery. During this process, the desired result is achieved quickly within the first weeks and then slowly in the following weeks. Therefore, it is natural for the appearance of the nose not to be as desired during the early period following the surgery, as edema decreases and the skin attains its normal thickness, the shape of the nose will change as desired.
Similarly, though differences may be present due to the used technique and the performed process, the observation of the desired result exactly in the early period following the operation, should bring the possibility of the formation of a different result in time to the mind.
It will be appropriate to follow the changes in the shape of the nose that form in time, with regular follow-up visits the doctor performing the operation
Points to Consider After Rhinoplasty operation
- The cast on your nose will stay for 10-14 days. It should be protecter from water. If you stay in very hot or steamy placed, the cast may be loosen or fall off due to sweating.
- During the first 24-36 hours, cold application should be performed on your eyes in intervals (5-10 minutes per hour).
- After the surgery, in the first 72 hours period you have to avoid physical activities as much as possible and should rest with you head slightly elevated.
- Avoid excessive facial mimics and laughing for a week.
- If open technique is used, then sutures on the tip of your nose will be removed by your doctor after 5-7 days.
- After your nose surgery, swellings may form under your eyes and on your face. These swellings and discolorations will completely disappear within 1-2 weeks.
- After your nose is opened, you can clean your nose gently with liquid soap or with special lotions. After the bandage is removed, you can apply make up.
- It is appropriate not to wear turtleneck sweater or clothes with narrow necks that increase the risk of impact to the nose within three weeks following the surgery.
- You should not touch your nose harshly and avoid activities that have the possibility of impact for the first 6 weeks.
- It is recommended tat you should not wear eyeglasses for 6 weeks and after this period; you should wear eyeglasses with light frames.
- You should protect your nose skin from the sunlight and avoid sunburn for the following 6 months.
- Since extremely hot environments may lead to swelling in your nose, you are recommended not to stay in these environments.
- You must not take medications other than the ones prescribed by your doctor.
