Whether your nose surgery was for cosmetic or functional reasons, the goal is to recover as soon as possible without complications. Dr. Beaty knows that a successful recovery is a critical component of your overall rhinoplasty experience. Patients want to see their final results as soon as possible, but patience is a virtue with recovery after nose surgery.
Your initial recovery will take two weeks or more, although you will have some residual swelling for a few weeks, even months. You can’t be disappointed when this swelling occurs, usually in the evening; it will pass.
As an expert in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Beaty has some tips to help his patients have a successful, speedy recovery from this intricate cosmetic procedure:
- Limit facial muscle movements— This sounds obvious, but during your recovery you need to limit things such as laughing and smiling. Be careful not to open your mouth too wide. Keep your nose from stretching too much or from being hit. Opt for foods that are easy to chew; put off that steak for a few weeks, as it will require more chewing.
- Protect your nose from the sun— After nose surgery with Dr. Beaty, your nose shouldn’t get any sun. Unprotected sun exposure can cause permanent discoloration in your nose after rhinoplasty. Apply 30+ spf sunscreen and wear protective clothing. This is very important considering our sunny Atlanta days.
- Choose the right clothes— This can seem silly, but be smart about your clothing choices: you don’t want to impact your new nose. 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.
- Don’t wear sunglasses or reading glasses— If you need regular glasses tape them above your bridge.
- Keep the exercise light— You may be tempted to get back to hardcore exercise soon as a way to help deal with recovery, but you can’t. You need to opt for 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.
With patience and attention, a smooth recovery from rhinoplasty is not difficult. Dr. Beaty will explain the best practices for your recovery in more detail during your consultation and after your surgery. Then you can start enjoying your new nose as soon as possible. Call us at (770) 753-0053 if you have any questions about recovery or any other aspect of nose surgery.
