Usually, internal dressings stay in place for one to seven days after surgery. The surgeon may also tape a splint to the nose for protection and support.
This usually stays in place for about a week. To reduce bleeding and swelling after rhinoplasty, it is necessary to rest in bed with the head higher than the chest. The nose may be blocked due to swelling or the splints placed during surgery.
It is common for a few days after surgery or until after removing the dressing to continue to flow with mucus and accumulated blood, along with light bleeding. To absorb this drainage, a small piece of gauze can be taped under the nose to act as an absorbent. This pad should not be tight.
The surgeon will want various precautions to be taken until a few weeks after surgery to minimize the possibility of bleeding and swelling.
These include avoiding strenuous activities such as aerobics and jogging, taking a bath instead of a shower where water flows from above with a bandage on the nose, blowing the nose, turning to fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables to avoid constipation due to the risk of applying pressure to the surgery site while having difficulty, avoiding excessive facial expressions such as smiling or laughing. brushing the teeth softly and wearing front-opening clothes such as shirts to move the upper lip less.
In addition, glasses or sunglasses should not rest on the nose for at least four weeks after surgery. It is possible to tape the glasses to the forehead until the nose heals. Sunscreen with factor 30 should be used outside, especially on the nose. Too much sun during this period can cause permanent discoloration of the nasal skin.
A temporary swelling or black-blue discoloration of the eyelids may occur for two to three weeks after rhinoplasty. It may take even longer for the nasal swelling to subside.
Staying away from sodium during feeding will help the swelling go down faster. Objects such as ice or ice packs should not be placed in the nose after surgery. It would be best to take a week off from work, school or similar obligations for the post-operative period.
