Tips for Recovering after Rhinoplasty

You’ve had nose surgery with Dr. Barrera. Whether it was to change the shape or to improve the function, the goal is to now have a straightforward recovery without complications. Rhinoplasty recovery isn’t the easiest recovery, and you’ll need to have some patience about seeing your final results, due to enduring swelling. But the end result is something you’ll love for the rest of your life, so let’s get through this recovery.

Your initial recovery will take two weeks or more, although you will have some residual swelling for a few weeks.

Here are some tips for a successful, speedy recovery from this intricate cosmetic procedure:

  1. Limit facial muscle movements — This sounds obvious, but during your recovery you need to limit things such as laughing and smiling (only ask boring friends to stop by! No comedians on Netflix.). Be careful not to open your mouth too wide (yawning is a no-no). Keep your nose from stretching too much or from being hit. You should choose soft foods that don’t require a good deal of chewing. No Texas barbecued brisket for a little while!
  2. Protect your nose from the sun — Unprotected sun exposure can cause permanent discoloration in your nose after rhinoplasty. Apply 30+ SPF sunscreen and wear protective clothing. This isn’t the time to “get a little sun” on your nose — you must not get any for a couple months. This would be a good time to avoid a trip down to the Gulf.
  3. Choose the right clothes — During recovery, choose clothes that won’t possibly have physical contact with the nose area. Also, don’t wear sunglasses or reading glasses. If you need regular glasses tape them above your bridge. Avoid tops that must be pulled over your head, such as sweaters and t-shirts. Button-up shirts are your best choice as you recover, as they minimize nose movement and possible bumping while dressing.
  4. Keep the exercise light — It can be tempting to think that a hard workout will help your body kick-start moving past recovery, but you can’t do that. You need to stick with lighter workouts that restrict up-and-down movement. Also, don’t participate in sports that put you at risk of hitting your nose. Lastly, your nose will feel tender during recovery, which makes swimming, diving, and similar exercise a temporary no-no until you’re fully healed.

If you can pay attention and have a little patience, you can gracefully recover from rhinoplasty with Dr. Barrera. He’ll explain everything you should and shouldn’t do during your recovery. And then you can simply enjoy your new nose for the rest of your life.

If you’re considering rhinoplasty with Dr. Barrera, please give us a call at (713) 468-5200 and set up a consultation.

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