5 Techniques to Accelerate Recovery After Rhinoplasty

Nose

The nose is one of the most noticeable features that enhances facial beauty. In cases where the nose is deformed due to an accident or has asymmetry that causes psychological problems for its owner, many people seek surgical intervention to restore the original shape of their nose or to achieve the shape they have always dreamed of. In this procedure, the plastic surgeon reconstructs the nose structure based on well-studied techniques that are the result of years of experience. The primary goal of rhinoplasty is to improve the appearance of the nose based on proportions, or the so-called golden ratio, so that the shape of the nose harmonizes with the other facial features.

5 Techniques to Accelerate Recovery After Rhinoplasty

If you are among those who have always dreamed of improving the shape of your nose and want to undergo surgery but are still hesitant, we would like to reassure you that it is a natural feeling that most rhinoplasty patients experience. They often feel significant anxiety, which intensifies during the pre-operative period. Ensuring desired results depends on many factors, including the surgeon’s expertise and the medical staff, but adhering to pre-operative and post-operative instructions is key to a swift and safe recovery. Prevention and appropriate preparation significantly reduce the risk before and after any surgical operation, not only rhinoplasty.

In this blog, you will find essential recovery tips that everyone considering rhinoplasty should be aware of to be well-prepared.

Before Rhinoplasty

First Tip: Reducing Stress Before Rhinoplasty

5 Techniques to Accelerate Recovery After Rhinoplasty

The psychological aspect can influence the outcome of any surgical intervention, positively or negatively, so it is very important to reduce your stress. It is natural for a person to feel nervous, tense, or anxious before rhinoplasty, but there are many ways to reduce stress levels.

Psychological support: You can overcome stress by sharing the details of your experience with someone close to you with whom you can easily talk, such as a friend or family member. Having a supportive person who listens well can help you manage anxiety and overcome fears.

Consultation with the surgeon: The consultation is considered one of the most important steps before surgery that helps reduce stress, contrary to what some people might think. During the consultation, the surgeon will outline the surgical steps, goals, and what must be done to ensure the best results, which builds trust between the rhinoplasty patient and the surgeon.

Various preparations: To avoid stress and the accumulation of tasks that you will have to do after surgery, and to ensure everything is arranged in advance, it is advisable to choose a good place where you can spend the recovery period, away from noise and responsibilities. Doing shopping in advance is also very important as it relieves you from having to think and stress yourself, especially since you will be tired after surgery and will need to rest. To maintain your health in the best condition, try to hydrate your body by drinking sufficient amounts of water. Consuming liquids such as juices helps to hydrate the skin, which significantly reduces the effects of surgical scars. A healthy, balanced diet and good hydration help reduce your stress. You can also practice mouth breathing, which will help you, especially during the first few days after surgery.

Second Tip: What to Avoid

5 Techniques to Accelerate Recovery After Rhinoplasty

Smoking: If you are a smoker, you are probably more aware than others of the harmful effects of smoking on your health, but the situation may worsen if you undergo any surgical operation. Therefore, doctors recommend quitting smoking at least a month before rhinoplasty surgery. The task of the anesthesia team is complicated when the patient is a smoker, as the team makes every effort to ensure good patient breathing during anesthesia, and the negative effects of smoking on the heart and its functions are numerous. During surgery, high levels of carbon monoxide and other toxins in the blood from smoking penetrate the body’s tissues, depriving them of the necessary oxygen for recovery, which slows down the healing process. It is necessary to abstain from smoking for a period of time even after surgery, as nicotine causes blood vessels to narrow, negatively affecting the recovery process. How? The narrower the blood vessels, the weaker the blood flow, the slower the wound healing, and the higher the level of cell and tissue death.

Alcohol Consumption: From a medical perspective, especially for those considering undergoing surgery, alcohol harms the blood and is the main cause of its thinning. This leads to a decrease in the number of platelets, which hinders wound healing and blood clotting, and also increases blood flow and bleeding. Healing scars and full recovery are among the most important aspects that the surgeon focuses on perfecting after rhinoplasty surgery. However, consuming alcohol without awareness of its risks can cause consequences such as delayed blood clotting, scar healing, and other issues. It is also recommended to stop drinking during the recovery period, as the effect of alcohol may interfere with the effect of prescribed medications.

Medications: It is necessary to consult with a surgeon to confirm the possibility of taking a specific medication. But in general, doctors recommend stopping the intake of any unnecessary medications two weeks before surgery, as well as stopping the intake of ibuprofen and some nutritional supplements, such as vitamin E.

After Rhinoplasty

Third Tip: Physical Comfort

5 Techniques to Accelerate Recovery After Rhinoplasty

  • Rest, avoid activities that may cause pressure on the face, and stay away from crowded places to avoid injuring the nose or catching a cold.

  • Avoid bending down or lying on your stomach or face. It is preferable to sleep on your back after rhinoplasty surgery to ensure there is no pressure on the nose. You can use two pillows to keep your head elevated.

  • It is necessary to avoid strenuous activities, but this does not mean that you should not walk, as doctors recommend walking for varying periods throughout the recovery period, especially from the first days after surgery. Daily walks help reduce swelling and bruising.

Fourth Tip: Special Attention in the First Seven to Ten Days

5 Techniques to Accelerate Recovery After Rhinoplasty

  • It is very important to follow a diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals to help your recovery. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. In Korea, doctors usually recommend drinking pumpkin juice because of its beneficial properties that aid in quick recovery. Avoid salty or spicy food. You should also avoid consuming very hot or very cold food.

  • It is recommended to use cold compresses on the nose for twenty minutes every hour or two to help reduce the severity of bruising and swelling.

  • It is recommended to wear comfortable, loose clothing so that it does not constitute an obstacle when changing or putting pressure on the nose.

  • Painkillers can be taken within the reasonable limits and quantities recommended by the doctor.

  • Avoid wearing glasses or sunglasses for at least a month to avoid pressure on the bridge of the nose or increased side complications, which may lead to revision surgery. You can use contact lenses if you haven’t undergone eyelid surgery along with rhinoplasty.

  • Avoid exposure to sunlight, as high temperatures actually increase swelling symptoms. The same applies to baths or saunas.

  • Excessive nasal discharge is considered normal, so do not worry. Take care of the cleanliness of the surgical area with saline solution and avoid putting pressure on the nose. This also causes swelling of the blood vessels in the surgical area (nose) and congestion, which makes you feel uncomfortable, especially during the first week after surgery.

  • It is recommended to limit sneezing or coughing due to stitches as much as possible. Since it is a natural thing that you cannot control, you can use a trick to relieve pressure on the nose by keeping your mouth open whenever you feel the need to sneeze or cough.

  • Avoid exposing the nasal splint or stitches to water.

  • Avoid applying makeup around bruises as this may cause harm and slow down healing.

  • Be sure to consult a doctor if any emergency occurs, such as sudden pain in the chest area, sudden high body temperature, severe pain that does not go away even after taking painkillers, dizziness or severe headache, difficulty breathing, bleeding, inflammation, etc.

  • Avoid products containing all types of nicotine and avoid drinking alcohol.

Fifth Tip: Set Your Expectations After Rhinoplasty

5 Techniques to Accelerate Recovery After Rhinoplasty

  • Nasal Splint and Internal Nasal Packs: Immediately after the surgery, you will need to breathe through your mouth due to nasal packs (nasal plugs, nasal packing) used by the surgeon as a preventative measure to prevent bleeding. As for the external splint, it is placed to support the nose until it heals and is usually removed after five to seven days (typically 7 days), depending on the patient’s condition.

  • Stitches: In the case of open rhinoplasty, the stitches are removed on the seventh (or tenth) day after the surgery. Some of the stitches are dissolvable and are usually used inside the nose.

  • Immediately after surgery, when you wake up from anesthesia, you will be asked not to drink water and not to eat for a few minutes until you fully recover from the anesthesia and are completely discharged.

  • The first stage after rhinoplasty surgery (the first week) is the most challenging, so you need to be patient.

  • Doctors advise performing certain exercises after rhinoplasty surgery to help the nose take its correct shape. These exercises involve applying pressure from both sides of the nose from top to bottom without putting pressure on the bridge of the nose to avoid displacement of bone or cartilage.

  • Do not judge the final results of rhinoplasty surgery in a short time, as the nose needs more time to recover and take its true shape depending on the type of nose: fleshy or bony, as the situation varies.

Why Korea?

South Korea holds a leading position in the world for the quality of plastic surgery, and here are several reasons why many choose this country for their procedures:

  • Advanced Medical Equipment: Korea is among the top three countries in the world for the quality and innovation of medical equipment.

  • High-Quality Medications: The best medications in the world are used, ensuring the effectiveness and safety of procedures.

  • Gentle Anesthesia: Most patients can return to normal life by the evening after the operation, which testifies to the mildness of the anesthesia used.

  • Affordable Cost: The cost of procedures in Korea is significantly lower than in the USA, Europe, and Israel, while maintaining high-quality services.

  • Unique Post-Operative Scar Care System: The use of laser therapy, silicone patches, and ointments, as well as fine surgical threads, helps speed healing and minimize scarring.

  • Highly Qualified Surgeons: Korean surgeons regularly enhance their qualifications and have vast experience, making Korea considered the world capital of plastic surgery.

  • Combination of Rest and Treatment: Patients can combine procedures with travel in a modern and highly developed Asian country.

  • Attention to Long-Term Results: Doctors monitor the condition of patients after procedures to ensure the best outcomes.

  • Tax Refund Opportunity: Foreign patients can take advantage of a tax refund on the cost of the operation, making the treatment even more beneficial.

Choosing South Korea for plastic surgeries is justified not only by the high level of medical services but also by a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of patients from different countries around the world.

How to Schedule a Consultation?

For those considering undergoing rhinoplasty or another plastic surgery, we offer several convenient ways to book a consultation:

  • By Phone: You can contact us at +82 10 4214 9603 via any convenient messenger, such as Kakao-Talk, WhatsApp, or Telegram.

  • Through the Website: Fill out a form on our website, and we will contact you to specify the details and timing of the consultation.

  • On Social Media: Our social media profile is at 365plastics_korea. Message us there, and our team will promptly respond to all your questions.

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