Following your rhinoplasty surgery in Beverly Hills, you may be eager to see the results of this nose-reshaping procedure right away. It’s important to understand, however, that your healing and recovery will take time. You’ll have to wait for all of the immediate and residual swelling, inflammation, and bruising to abate before you’ll be able to truly appreciate the changes that treatment has wrought. The good news is that throughout this recovery period, there are a number of things that Beverly Hills locals can do to expedite the healing process and ensure optimum results.
Understanding the Timeline for Your Rhinoplasty Recovery
The average recovery time for Beverly Hills rhinoplasty is one full year. Although this seems like a significant amount of time for healing, it’s a progressive and necessary period that allows your nose and the surrounding tissues to completely rebound from the overall treatment experience. It’s important to note, however, that there are a number of impressive milestones you’re guaranteed to reach in the weeks and months that lie ahead, that will definitely make this process much easier.
After the very first week following your procedure in Beverly Hills, you’ll be able to remove your nasal splint. Once your splint has been taken out, you can go wherever you choose, without looking as though you’ve just had surgery. This is also the time when you’ll be able to safely resume most of your normal activities. Some patients, however, may have slight residual bruising around the eyes and just at the tops of the cheeks. Post-treatment bruising can take up to two weeks to fully abate in some instances.
By the end of your second week, all post-treatment swelling and bruising will have resolved, and at the end of your first month of healing, you’ll again be able to participate in strenuous, cardiovascular activities like cycling, swimming, and even jogging. By week six, the bones throughout the treated area will have stabilized as well. This change will allow for resistance training, comfortably blowing your nose, and wearing glasses that are supported by the nose bridge. This is also the time when you’ll finally be able to start appreciating the new structure and look of your nose.
Between months three and six, you will experience a gradual lessening of any abnormal sensations that you may have been experiencing, including persistent or sporadic feelings of numbness across the nasal skin and the general nose structure. By the time you reach the year mark, the entire healing process will be complete. With all swelling and bruising gone, and full functioning and sensation restored, you’ll finally be able to see and enjoy the impressive changes that your procedure has produced.
The Best Way to Expedite Your Rhinoplasty Recovery Is By Listening to the Doctor
Following the Beverly Hills doctor’s post-treatment instructions is the absolute best thing that you can do to expedite the healing process. This is the most needs-specific advice that you will ever receive. Facial plastic surgeons do not offer their patients the same generalized advice that can be easily gleaned from the web. Instead, your instructions for self-care will reflect your unique circumstances and challenges, and the manner of rhinoplasty that you’ve undergone. You’ll be given detailed instructions on caring for the surgical site, administering your post-treatment medications, and practicing good infection prevention. You should also adhere to the doctor-recommended schedule for all follow-up exams.
Pay Attention to Your Body
Beverly Hills rhinoplasty patients should also take care to listen to their bodies. This is especially true during the most formative stages of healing when the risk of post-treatment infection is at its highest. If something does not feel or appear to be right, get in contact with the doctor immediately.
Elevate Your Head and Stabilize Your Sleeping Position with Pillows
One sure way to extend your recovery time is by falling asleep on your side. Many rhinoplasty patients find this uncomfortable, but you may be in the habit of automatically assuming this position when you’re tired, or when you’re already fast asleep. Sleeping on your side can result in additional swelling and bruising, while slowing the abatement of any swelling and discoloration that you’re already experiencing. More importantly, in some instances, this manner of sleeping can actually disrupt the new placement and structure of the nose. You can prevent this by sleeping with your head in an elevated position. You can additionally stabilize this sleeping position by fixing your head in place with either a rolled towel or a standard travel pillow. If you’re a regular side-sleeper, this is a practice that you might want to maintain throughout the first six weeks of your recovery.
Never Use Cold Compresses Directly on Your Nose and Avoid Wearing Glasses
Cold compresses are the perfect tools for minimizing both swelling and pain. Following a rhinoplasty procedure, however, you never want to place anything that’s too heavy directly on your nose. You should instead apply cold compresses to your upper and outer cheeks. This will provide the same cooling and pain-relieving benefits, without shifting any cartilage or bones. It will also help minimize any bruising that has developed around your eyes and at the tops of your cheeks.
Other potentially disruptive things to keep away from your nose include prescription glasses, sunglasses, and reading glasses. Anything that puts additional weight on the nose while it’s still in the formative stages of healing is likely to cause additional problems with bruising and swelling. Eyeglasses of any type can also leave noticeable indentations in the nose that may eventually require revision surgery. Due to this fact, you’ll have to do without your glasses until your nose has fully healed. People who are reliant upon their lenses should always work with their optometrists ahead of their rhinoplasty procedures to get feasible, alternative plans for vision correction in place. Once all significant facial swelling has abated, you should be able to use contact lenses both comfortably and safely. If contacts aren’t an option for you, look for eyeglasses that have extremely lightweight frames.
Pamper Yourself with a Good Diet and Ample Rest
Some people have a very hard time getting to sleep following their procedures due to severe nasal congestion. It’s important to note, however, that the body requires both energy and quality fuel in order to heal itself. As such, few things are as important as maintaining a good diet and practicing good sleep hygiene while recovering. Try to get at least eight hours of deep and restful sleep each night by participating in relaxation activities like meditation and yoga, establishing a schedule of soothing nighttime rituals, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine and nicotine. In fact, while you’re recovering from your rhinoplasty procedure, you shouldn’t smoke at all. Ahead of this treatment, talk with your general doctor or our plastic surgeon to learn more about your options in smoking cessation.
When it comes to building your diet for the recovery process, try to place a strong focus on consuming fresh and nutrient-dense foods that are served closest to their natural state. Most processed and highly refined food products are not going to offer the nutritional support that your body needs during this time. Be sure to include an ample array of protein-rich foods in your diet as this nutrient plays a central role in the rebuilding of cartilage, muscle, and skin. Meat, nuts, beans, seeds, yogurt, eggs, fish, and leafy green vegetables are all excellent sources of protein to include. In fact, adding more leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables to your diet can be beneficial in a number of ways. Not only do these veggies contain healthy, plant-based proteins, but they are also packed with skin and collagen-supporting nutrients like vitamins C and A.
Keep Yourself Cool
Heat is hardly the best thing for your nose throughout the healing process. Even though a steaming bowl of soup, a quick trip to the sauna, or a hot shower might seem downright heavenly, all of these things can result in nasal discomfort and additional swelling. Try to keep your baths and showers at a lukewarm temperature, and avoid other forms of direct heat exposure as well.
In addition to avoiding extreme heat, be sure to limit your sun exposure also. The skin across the treated area will be more prone to burning in direct sunlight. Too much sun can also cause any existing, minor scars to darken, and it may increase swelling. To expedite the healing process and prevent unnecessary issues related to sun exposure, always be sure to don a large sun hat or other covering when going out.
Undergoing rhinoplasty can be very exciting indeed. After all, this is by far the most noticeable feature on the face. Even slight modifications in this area can have a significant impact on your overall appearance. Take advantage of the tips above to expedite your healing process and to ensure an optimal outcome. If you are interested in this procedure, consider us here at Kadz Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
