 |
Getting back to normal
Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to
return to school or sedentary work a week or so following surgery. It will
be several weeks, however, before you're entirely up to speed.
Your surgeon will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming
your normal activities. They're likely to include these suggestions: Avoid
strenuous activity (jogging, swimming, bending, sexual relations-any activity
that increases your blood pressure) for two to three weeks. Avoid hitting
or rubbing your nose, or getting it sunburned, for eight weeks. Be gentle
when washing your face and hair or using cosmetics.
You can wear contact lenses as soon as you feel like it, but glasses are
another story. Once the splint is off, they'll have to be taped to your
forehead or propped on your cheeks for another six to seven weeks, until
your nose is completely healed.
Your surgeon will schedule frequent follow-up visits in the months after
surgery, to check on the progress of your healing. If you have any unusual
symptoms between visits, or any questions about what you can and can't do,
don't hesitate to call your doctor.
Your new look
In the days following surgery, when your face is bruised and swollen, it's
easy to forget that you will be looking better. In fact, many patients feel
depressed for a while after plastic surgery-it's quite normal and understandable.
Rest assured that this stage will pass. Day by day, your nose will begin
to look better and your spirits will improve. Within a week or two, you'll
no longer look as if you've just had surgery.
Still, healing is a slow and gradual process. Some subtle swelling may be
present for months, especially in the tip. The final results of rhinoplasty
may not be apparent for a year or more.
After surgery, the patient has a smaller
nose, a straighter bridge, a well defined
nasal tip, and an improved angle
between the nose and upper lip.
In the meantime, you might experience some unexpected reactions from family
and friends. They may say they don't see a major difference in your nose. Or they may act resentful, especially if you've changed something they view
as a family or ethnic trait. If that happens, try to keep in mind why you
decided to have this surgery in the first place. If you've met your goals,
then your surgery is a success.
Back to top of rhinoplasty section
Rhinoplasty Patient Information 
Highlights:Preparing for Surgery
Pre-operative Instructions
Post-Operative Care
Activity Restrictions
Recovery Time
Resuming Normal Activities
Pre-operative Instructions
Post-operative Instructions
FAQs on Rhinoplasty
FAQs on Recovery From Plastic Surgery
Surgery of the Nose Illustrations
|
|
