Rhinoplasty

Your Procedure

You have had a rhinoplasty, sometimes combined with a septoplasty.

What to Expect

It is normal to be very swollen, including across your eyelids.  This is not usually very painful, and typically resolves in about 24-48 hours or so, though the bruising can last upwards of a week or more. Incisions can weep a small amount of blood, and you can also have bloodstained tears and nasal discharge. You will likely have difficulty breathing through your nose due to swelling, and any splints that are in place.

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For open rhinoplasty procedures, nasal tip swelling can take 9-12 months to fully settle before the final aesthetic result is evident, sometimes even longer in younger patients with thicker, oily, or acne-prone skin. 

Surgical Site Care

You may have splints inside your nose, as well as on the outside. These need to stay in place, and you should not get the outside splint wet.  Place a tiny amount of Polysporin or Vaseline on your nasal incisions, just enough to moisten the skin. Avoid blowing your nose and try not to touch.  Placing a cool cloth or a well wrapped bag of ice over your forehead or temples will help bring down the swelling.  It is also helpful to sleep with an extra pillow or elevate your head slightly.

Activity and Care at Home

You can move about at home, but avoid strenuous activities and all exercise or sport.  Avoid smoking or being around a smoker as this can seriously compromised wound healing.  You should not drive within the first 24 hours, while you are taking any pain medication, or while you are eyelids are swollen and you have difficulty seeing.
Time off work varies from 1-6 weeks depending on your occupation. You should avoid working out for 4 weeks, and avoid all contact sports for 8 weeks.

Medications and Pain Management

Most people have little pain postoperatively, typically controlled on Tylenol alone.  Avoid taking aspirin or other medications that may cause bleeding.  You may also have a prescription for a narcotic medication.  Only take this if needed.  If your eyes feel excessively dry, you can lubricate them with over-the-counter artificial tears.

What to watch for / when to call / who to call

Uncontrollable pain, loss of vision, uncontrolled bleeding, purulent or malodorous discharge, or significant systemic problems such as fever or being very unwell are not normal postoperatively.  Should you experience these, please contact the office. 
Even if you plan to go to the emergency please call the surgeon as this may save you considerable time.

Follow-up

Your post-operative visits should be pre-scheduled at the time of surgical booking. If you are unsure of your follow up dates, please contact our office. Splints and sutures are usually removed about 1 week after surgery.