Every year, numerous people undergo rhinoplasty to enhance the appearance of their nose. Following the procedure, patients usually experience a moderate level of discomfort, which can be controlled by pain medications. Those who have undergone closed rhinoplasty will have some swelling and bruising for around one to six weeks, while those who have undergone open rhinoplasty will have swelling and bruising for about one to six months. In addition to this, patients may also experience numbness in their nose and upper lip for several weeks, post nose surgery.
During the recovery period, a patient’s nose may sometimes be a bit asymmetrical or uneven, but this is expected to change as the nose heals. Below is some advice generally given by ENT surgeons to quicken the recovery process:
- Apply cold dry compresses to the nose at regular intervals.
- Avoid nasal medications for around three months.
- Use a humidifier and saline spray for about two weeks.
- Keep the head elevated, to lessen swelling
- Avoid blowing or picking the nose for the first four weeks after nose surgery, to reduce bleeding.
These instructions may differ from patient to patient, depending on the requirements of each case.
Immediately after rhinoplasty, a splint is generally applied to the nose to maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints may also be placed within the nostrils, to support the septum. If the ENT surgeon advises nasal packing, it is usually only for about two to six days. Post rhinoplasty, most ENT surgeons suggest using ice packs over the eyes for the first two days, to minimise swelling. The splint is usually removed by the ENT surgeon about one week after nose surgery.
After rhinoplasty, the patient’s nose and eyes are generally swollen and bruised, while the face may feel puffy. The extent of discomfort varies from case to case, and depends on the type of procedure performed, and if nasal bones were broken during the nose surgery. Any sudden increase in bleeding or discomfort should be immediately reported to the ENT surgeon, so that it can be treated in time.
ENT London is a highly reputed ENT clinic in central London that specialises in rhinoplasty. The team of ENT surgeons at ENT London are all registered with the UK General Medical Council, and are committed to ensuring superior patient care.
ENT London is one of UK’s leading rhinoplasty clinics, and can be contacted on 0207 580 6970.