After getting rhinoplasty surgery, you will be anxious to see the results of the cosmetic procedure. But it would be excellent for you to have patience. Before you can enjoy the outcomes of this surgery to the fullest, you have to wait six weeks until the recovery period is over. You need an excellent two-week rest after a nose job, and in the next four weeks, strictly follow the instructions of the best cosmetic surgeon to heal properly. After the recovery period, you can enjoy the outcomes of rhinoplasty that you always dreamed of.
Recovery timeline after a nose surgery
● First 24 hours after the nose job
You will feel drowsy in the first 24 hours after a nose job. You will feel this way due to the sedation or general anesthesia that the surgeons administer for this procedure. However, you will not feel drowsiness in case of local anesthesia or if you were awake during the surgery. The surgeons will also advise you not to drive within the first 24 hours after the procedure if you were given general anesthesia.
During the first 24 hours post-operation, it would be good for you to relax and take it easy. The surgeons often recommend that patients do a minimum in the first 24 hours of rhinoplasty surgery. So, a good rest after a nose job is crucial if you want to have desirable results.
● 48 hours after the nose job
You may feel tired after two days of the procedure. The surgeons usually recommend that the patient start walking around to get the blood flowing in the body. However, you must rest for at least a week.
● The first week after rhinoplasty
After a week, you can return to work, but if your job is based on a lot of physical exertion, wait at least ten days to return to work. At this point, your skin is not adequately healed but will feel like your old self.
● The second week after rhinoplasty
Every individual heals at a different rate. Some of you will feel better after ten days post-surgery, but others may need more than two weeks to heal properly. However, take as much time as you require to recover, and during this time, rest after a nose job procedure.
● Four weeks after the procedure
After three to four weeks of rhinoplasty, you can resume moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercises like swimming, jogging, or spinning. However, the cartilage and bones in the nose are not entirely stable, so it’s best to avoid vigorous resistance exercises.
● Six weeks after the nose job
Six weeks after rhinoplasty, the bones and cartilage of the nose are fully settled. So, you can run as hard as possible and resume your vigorous exercise routine. And after six weeks, you will be fit enough to blow your nose and wear glasses.
Tips to speed up the healing process after a nose job
Following simple yet essential tips throughout the recovery will speed up the healing.
1. Do not exert yourself too much.
You cannot do anything about the setting of the bones, but you can increase the healing of the skin after rhinoplasty. An important thing you can do is listen to what your body is saying and act accordingly. For example, walk when you feel up to it, eat healthy food when hungry, and relax if you need to rest after a nose job. Consult the best rhinoplasty surgeon if you experience gastrointestinal discomfort due to antibiotics.
2. Follow the instructions of your doctor.
Following your doctor’s instructions is crucial to ensure a smooth recovery process. The best nose surgeon will give you specific instructions regarding the medications you need after the surgery, cleaning of skin around the nose, and when you should visit for follow-up appointments.
3. Try to elevate your head while sleeping.
Sleeping on your back with an elevated head is essential in the first six weeks after the surgery. Because if you sleep on your side or your stomach, you may feel uncomfortable. Also, it will prolong your recovery process significantly. When you sleep on the stomach or the side, you exert pressure on the freshly set cartilage. When you sleep on your back, place at least two pillows under the head.
4. Get plenty of rest after a nose job.
Getting sufficient rest after a nose job is crucial for a quick recovery. Resting is important because your skin, cartilage, and bones need to settle in their proper place and heal from the surgical incisions. You need the energy to heal bones, cartilage, and skin appropriately. To get this energy, you need to have eight to nine hours of sleep.
5. Include protein and colorful vegetables in your diet.
A healthy diet is essential for a speedy recovery, preferably focusing on protein and colorful vegetables. Protein is necessary as collagen is a protein that keeps the skin healthy and strong. And colorful vegetables contain many essential micronutrients your body needs for rapid healing.
6. Use cold compresses in the first 72 hours.
You may need a cold compress to stay comfortable in the first 72 hours after the surgery. However, it would be best not to place the ice pack directly on the nose. Rather, hold it against one of the cheeks to avoid accidental shifting of the bone or cartilage.
7. Avoid blowing your nose.
Avoid blowing your nose in the recovery period. After the procedure, you may feel some congestion but resist the urge to blow the nose. The congestion you feel at this point is due to the swollen nasal tissue rather than the mucus in the sinuses.
8. Try to avoid direct sunlight exposure.
Limiting your exposure to the sun is another crucial step in a smooth and comfortable recovery. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 35 sun protection factors when you go outside in daylight primarily because exposure to UVC rays slows collagen production and damages the existing collagen. This will also prolong the recovery process. Furthermore, exposure to direct sunlight elevates blood pressure and increases nasal swelling and pressure.
9. Do not wear glasses during the recovery period.
Avoid wearing glasses during recovery because it puts pressure on the nose, which slows the recovery process. In case you wear prescription glasses, use contacts instead. If you need to wear sunglasses, try a ball cap instead.
10. Try to keep your body temperature low.
Staying cool during the recovery process after the rhinoplasty will ensure your speedy healing. This tip is of utmost importance in the first four weeks. That is why doctors will ask you to avoid strenuous cardio exercise. Furthermore, avoiding steaming hot meals, hot showers, or dry saunas would be best. Take a lukewarm shower while keeping the faucet above the neck.
Be Patient! Rest after a nose job will heal you
At Cosmeticoplasty, the best cosmetic surgeon in Pakistan, Dr. Mustehsan Bashir, offers reasonable rhinoplasty costs in Lahore to improve the patient’s overall appearance and achieve their desired results. Moreover, he provides the best nose job in Lahore and alters the nose’s shape, size, and appearance using different rhinoplasty procedures. He is an expert in reconstructive rhinoplasty and, with various sculpting methods, restores the function and contour of the nose. Also, the nose surgery cost in Pakistan is affordable, also depends on the patient’s nose condition and the surgeon’s surgical method.