To massage your nose after rhinoplasty (once approved by your surgeon, usually 2-3 weeks post-op), gently use your fingertips with light pressure in specific directions to encourage fluid drainage and guide healing, focusing on moving swelling outward and downward, not pressing hard on the tip, typically for a few minutes, twice daily, along with nose taping for best results. Always follow your surgeon's personalized instructions as techniques vary, but generally, you'll massage the bridge and sides, guiding fluid towards the lymph nodes.
Tips for Reducing Swelling After Rhinoplasty
Close your eyes gently and use your ring fingers to make light circles just above your eyelid crease. Move outward from the inner corner to the outer edge, following the brow bone—but avoid pressing directly on the incision. Start small: One to two minutes, once a day during early recovery.
Massage also reduces swelling by moving excess fluids from where you had surgery. It has also been shown to help with tingling, numbness, and sensitivity which helps you regain feeling to the affected area.
The massage types most commonly used to decrease swelling include sports massage and remedial massage. A sports massage is an effective way of reducing swelling. A sports massage involves using a variety of techniques to increase blood and lymph flow and increase healing.
Ideally, you should begin scar massage about two to three weeks after surgery, once the wound has closed completely and the skin has fully healed.
7 Tips For Upper Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty Recovery
Lymphatic massage (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) is contraindicated for acute infections, malignant tumors, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), severe heart conditions (like congestive heart failure), kidney failure, and open wounds, as it can spread infection or worsen fluid imbalances; it's crucial to consult a doctor and a certified therapist, especially if you have issues like asthma, thyroid problems, or are pregnant.
Keep a light pressure, close your eyes, and turn your eyes upwards in your head to gaze at the third-eye point - between your eyebrows. Stay for 5-10 seconds and repeat as needed to help reduce puffiness and stimulate the drainage of fluid from the eye area."
Days 1 to 3: The Peak of Swelling
Swelling is often at its most intense 2 to 3 days after surgery. You'll likely notice puffiness around the nose, cheeks, and even under the eyes. Bruising is common, and your nose may appear larger than expected due to post-surgical fluid buildup.
Walking after rhinoplasty is great for a few reasons. It helps you avoid boredom, for one thing. It can also help keep you regular and can help reduce muscle soreness or weakness, which can result if you sit still for too long. Walking also gets your blood flowing, which helps reduce swelling.
The size and shape of the nose are predominantly determined by genetics and cannot be significantly altered through exercises, massages, or home remedies.
Nose taping after rhinoplasty is beneficial for many reasons. The primary benefit is that it helps to decrease swelling fluctuations after the procedure. It also helps improve: Bruising.
How soon after surgery should I start lymphatic drainage massage? For best healing and top notch results, we recommend starting lymphatic drainage massage within 3-5 days after your surgery.
Yes, it's possible to overdo lymphatic massage. While lymphatic drainage massage offers numerous benefits, more is not always better. Overdoing it can lead to bruising and swelling, especially if the massage is too aggressive or the pressure too high.
“It's a very easy technique to learn and a very beneficial form of self-care.” Lymphatic drainage self-massage involves gently manipulating certain areas of your body to help move excess fluid away from your tissue and toward your major lymph nodes. You may benefit from it if you have: Chronic congestion.
Lymphatic massage can be quite helpful if you have lymphedema. But it shouldn't be your only treatment. If you wear compression garments (like socks or sleeves) to reduce fluid retention, you should keep wearing them. Lymphatic massage may not work for everyone.
Blepharoplasty Swelling Timeline
Days One to Three: Swelling peaks during the first 72 hours after surgery. The eyelids may feel tight, and the area around the eyes might appear puffy and discolored. Days Four to Seven: Swelling begins to subside, and bruising typically becomes less intense.
acTIvITY: • Minimize your activities with only light activity for the first week following surgery. Listen to your body! If you feel tired over the first few days, you should rest. No stooping, straining or heavy lifting > 2 bags of groceries.
Wait Until You Are Ready. It is important to wait until you are fully healed before starting any kind of massage therapy. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on when it is safe to begin massaging your chest. Generally, you should wait at least six weeks after surgery before starting massage therapy.
Anecdotal reports claim that vitamin E speeds wound healing and improves the cosmetic outcome of burns and other wounds. Many lay people use vitamin E on a regular basis to improve the outcome of scars and several physicians recommend topical vitamin E after skin surgery or resurfacing.
In your first 6-8 weeks following surgery, it is advised not to apply any lotions or oil to the scars, unless advised by your surgeon or healthcare team at MYA, to avoid any healing complications.