Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is a facial surgery to reshape the nose or solve breath problems. This may be for aesthetic purposes to create a more pleasing facial profile for the eye, or it may be performed to improve breathing or to repair injuries or defects.
As with all surgery, the rhinoplasty procedure can cause swelling on the nose and face, which may take some time to reduce. However, the amount of swelling may vary between different types of rhinoplasty surgeries and people’s nature. If your nasal bones are fractured, as part of the surgery, you will experience more swelling around the cheeks and eye area.
After the operation, you can help minimize the swelling with proper post-operative treatment, which will not only make you feel more relaxed but also encourage you to see the effects of your surgery earlier. There are some certain post-operative treatments. They are;
- Keep your head higher: Holding your head higher than the rest of your body and refusing to lie down will help to flush extra fluids from your face. Use several pillows when you lie down and try to sleep overnight in a semi-reclined position to avoid pooling of liquid around the surgery site. You should also avoid bending over or any strenuous exercise that will increase your blood pressure.
- Apply ice: After an operation, cold compresses put on the face will feel calming as they relax the area slightly and reduce blood flow, reducing swelling and minimizing bruise. To make a cold compress, dampen a clean towel with water and seal it in a plastic bag before putting it in the freezer for 15 minutes. The amount of time can up to 20 minutes, but you should not put ice directly as it may cause too much pressure and harm the shape of the nose or cats. The most effective period is the first 48 hours after the surgery, and you should apply it as 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
- Avoid alcohol, drugs and supplements: Avoid taking any supplements or other drugs in the two weeks leading up to your surgery, as well because post-surgery, as they can affect your blood pressure, breathing, and healing. Alcohol is a diuretic, which can result in dehydration. This can be stopped until you’re completely healed, and the swelling has gone down following rhinoplasty.
- Avoid sneezing, coughing, nose blowing and crying: All of these can cause swelling in the nose and can irritate the stitches, causing them to bleed or even burst. Use a humidifier will help keep the air moist in your space to prevent coughing and keep away from tobacco smoke and other pollutants.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help flush out the body’s contaminants, which will reduce swelling faster. Drink lots of water and avoid caffeinated drinks. You should also keep an eye on your sodium intake, as a high-sodium diet can lead to fluid retention. Don’t add salt to your food and avoid salty snacks.