Sleeping in an elevated position is best. This reduces swelling and cuts down on post-rhinoplasty congestion. If you sleep on your side, the lower nostril will likely become plugged while you sleep, and since you can't blow your nose, this congestion can be uncomfortable.
Sleeping on your back with your head in an elevated position is the best sleep position, as it helps to reduce swelling and minimize congestion. Propping yourself up on some carefully positioned pillows or sleeping in a reclining armchair (if you have one) with your head between a 35-45° angle is ideal.
Keep Your Head Elevated
Sleeping on your side after rhinoplasty isn't just uncomfortable – it can prolong your recovery time by causing additional bruising and swelling. More frighteningly, it can displace your nose. To avoid this, you'll need to keep your head elevated at night for 6 weeks following surgery.
Thus, sleeping on your side or stomach will not likely negatively impact your results, but it is important to be aware that it may result in additional swelling and/or bruising, thereby prolonging your recovery.
Sleep alone.
If you normally sleep with your spouse, partner, or pet, it may be a good idea to go solo for a while. An accidental fist or paw to the face could be detrimental to your recovery. It is better not to risk these potential injuries.
Do not brush your teeth for two weeks following rhinoplasty. If your nose is running, gently dab it with a tissue. Brush your teeth carefully. Because your upper lip is connected to your nose, you'll move your nose if you brush too aggressively.
Your nose may swell as it heals, restricting the nasal passages. This may make it uncomfortable to breathe normally. You need to remember that the blockage is because of swollen tissues and not mucus or congestion. Patients should refrain from blowing their nose for a minimum of 2 – 3 weeks following the surgery.
Your tip should drop between five and ten degrees after rhinoplasty. This drop is due to gravitational pull and your incisions tightening. Any drop that is greater than that means there may have been a surgical complication.
A loss of sodium and potassium, for instance, can lead to feelings of weakness and fatigue. One of the concerns of most patients after cosmetic surgery is feelings of weakness and fatigue. These are normal and usually go away in a few days or weeks after the surgery.
In terms of recovery, it largely depends on the type of rhinoplasty, but for both open and closed procedures, downtime is typically a one- to two-week period. "Most patients have a rapid recovery within five to six days [for closed procedures]," says Dugar.
Bland foods with balanced protein and carbohydrates that are like a Mediterranean diet are felt to be helpful to reduce inflammation. The key is to stay hydrated with water and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption.
Many people are ready and able to go back to work within 1 to 2 weeks after their nose job. After day three, you should start to feel more comfortable and up to slowly getting back into a routine. Bandages are typically removed seven days after your rhinoplasty procedure.
That's what patients should expect when they wake up from the anesthesia: Your nose will feel completely “plugged up,” forcing you to breathe through your mouth. This will last for a few days. You'll also have trouble smelling, and you will likely feel some pressure in your ears or your temples.
Every patient is different, so recovery times vary, but generally speaking, most patients can expect to look “normal” after about three to four weeks, with a small amount of residual swelling and tenderness lasting about three months — though it is usually only noticeable to the patient themselves.
Swelling After Surgery
Generally, swelling is the most common reason why your nose looks bigger after rhinoplasty, which is completely normal. As a general rule, half of the swelling in the nasal tip will be gone after a month, but it will take at least a year for the tip to reach its final shape.
Your surgeon may have removed an excessive amount of tissue from your nose tip in an attempt to raise your entire nose. The resulting image is a “pig snout.” You may experience this temporarily as a result of post-surgery swelling. It usually disappears after a few weeks.
Nasal Congestion and a Stuffy Nose after a Rhinoplasty
Although pain is not a major concern in most people, nasal obstruction or nasal congestion can be. This means, for about two to three weeks after surgery, you may have a mild or even complete loss of the ability to breathe through your nose.
Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 2 to 3 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay. Ask your doctor when you can drive again. Do not blow your nose for at least 1 week after surgery. Wipe your nose gently with a tissue.
Blowing your nose in the weeks following your rhinoplasty procedure can be harmful. You need to resist the urge to blow your nose forcefully because it can make it bleed. We recommend refraining from blowing for 2 to 4 weeks or longer after your procedure. It's important to wait until Dr.
Reach out to the surgeon who performed your rhinoplasty, clearly explaining what you are unhappy with, and ask them what could have caused the issue. If you are confident that your original surgeon can correct where they went wrong, discuss a revision rhinoplasty with them.
I recommend you not trying to 'overcome' this feeling as it is completely normal. Plus, smiling in this early period of rhinoplasty recovery can sometimes damage the surgical reconstruction that was performed – leading to a suboptimal result as time goes on.