A nose job, also known as rhinoplasty, is usually done for cosmetic reasons (to improve your nose shape, making it flatter, wider, pointed, or less bulbous or to get rid of a bump), functional reasons (to improve breathing difficulty), or both.
For whatever reason you are considering rhinoplasty, your nose must maintain its primary function. “Whether or not a patient has breathing difficulty, rhinoplasty surgery should always include a plan to maintain the nose’s ideal breathing purpose,” says Dr. Reilly, an expert in Rhinoplasty Plastic Surgery in Washington DC.
Before getting a rhinoplasty plastic surgery, it is necessary to be aware of certain precautions, likely changes, and occurrences during and after the operation, as well as the best care needed to help you heal up fast. These help to achieve the perfect, desired result.
Before Rhinoplasty
Consultation and Examination
You need to consult a plastic surgeon to discuss what you want, the possibilities, concerns, risks, and care. During the consultation, the doctor will conduct tests, examine your nose condition, and seek information from your medical history. The result of this step usually determines how the surgery will be carried out.
Preparation for the Procedure
To ensure all goes well, you will receive pre-operative instructions to prepare your body for the procedure. This may include avoiding certain foods that may increase bleeding during the surgery one or two weeks before, avoiding alcohol intake and smoking, refraining from anti-inflammatory drugs, and not consuming any food or drink eight hours before the surgery.
The Surgery
You will be sedated before the doctor starts the operation. Incisions are made either on the outer part of the nose or right inside, after which the cartilage or bones are worked on, depending on the nature of the operation. After the surgery, the doctor stitches up the open incisions and cleans up as necessary. A splint is then used to protect the worked area.
Post-Surgery Care
To reduce swelling, ice is usually applied on the nose for the first two to three days. During this period, you will have some pain which typically reduces with time. You will have to take pain-relief medications to help. Your sleep routine and position may change. You will need better quality sleep to allow your body to feel relaxed and heal faster.
You will also have to stay indoors for the first few days. Your entire face may not be looking its best, and the splint will only come off after about seven days. Staying indoors will reduce or prevent accidental jabs and touches from contact with people or things.
There may also be some bleeding on the dressings. This is normal after surgery, but seek medical attention in case of severe bleeding. You will need to keep your hands off your nose. Also, avoid placing your eyeglasses on your nose if you use one to aid the healing process.
Recovery
During the healing period, you will avoid strenuous exercises like weight lifting to avoid putting too much pressure on the body system. You should also note that sneezing, laughing, or smiling too wide may cause discomfort to the nose. Sneeze through your mouth, then laugh and smile lightly.
Also, avoid direct water application on the nose, as this could slow your healing process. Bathe carefully and avoid swimming until your healing is complete.
You will have to eat a more helpful diet during this healing phase. Consume foods that prevent constipation and reduce inflammation from the surgical process, such as apples, strawberries, pineapple, wheat, green tea, and strawberries. Also, taking enough water to stay hydrated is highly recommended. Avoid taking alcohol and smoking during this period. Remember, the faster the recovery, the better for you.
The splint is usually removed in a week, after which you can go outdoors, but the swelling may persist. Full recovery may take up to four to six weeks, depending on if the bone or cartilage was worked on, after which the pain must have fully subsided. After full recovery, the nose takes its new shape, and you grow with it. It is necessary to say that full results happen over time. The more time the nose stays, the better it looks, especially when no more swelling is in sight.
So, whether you have gone for a pointed nose tip, or a wider one, or even did the nose job to adjust a deviated nose, following the precautions right before the surgery till the healing takes place is very necessary if you would get the desired results.
