I have something interesting to tell anyone considering rhinoplasty that may come as a surprise: The recovery is actually more comfortable than you probably expect. Many of the women and men who come in for rhinoplasty consultation at my St. Petersburg, FL, practice are more nervous about the recovery than the procedure itself.
In my previous blog post, I wrote about the questions you should ask yourself before proceeding with rhinoplasty. Once you’ve answered those questions and are ready to schedule your surgery, the next steps are to learn about the procedure and recovery. You can get more information about the surgery on our website’s rhinoplasty page, but in this post, I’ll offer some tips on how to make the recovery process go as smoothly as possible.
When I talk about rhinoplasty recovery in the context of these tips, I’m referring to the initial 2 to 3 weeks following the surgery. It usually takes about that long before you’ll feel like your normal self. Residual swelling, however, takes much longer to resolve, and rhinoplasty patients may not see the final results of their procedures for several months or even a year.
Prepare Before Surgery
Taking some simple steps before the day of surgery can go a long way in making your recovery more comfortable. As your surgery day approaches, plan to:
- Arrange for someone to drive you to the operation and home afterward
- Have someone stay with you during the first 24 hours after the procedure
- Fill any prescription medications ahead of time
- Stop smoking at least 3 weeks before your surgery
Smoking reduces blood circulation, which makes the healing process more difficult. You should plan to avoid smoking for at least 3 weeks after the operation and, ideally, quit altogether.
Take Post-Op Instructions Seriously
I provide detailed post-op instructions to patients before their procedures. When closely followed, these instructions help minimize the risk of complications and help patients heal more quickly and comfortably.
Therefore, before the day of your operation, plan to:
- Read the post-op instructions and ask about anything you don’t understand
- Follow the instructions thoroughly and call if you’re confused about something
- Prepare to sleep with your head elevated
- Get plenty of rest and avoid physical activities as instructed
Many people find it difficult to simply take it easy after surgery such as rhinoplasty but it’s extremely important that you get enough rest so your body can properly heal.
When you’re researching plastic surgeons in the St. Petersburg area to perform your rhinoplasty, make sure you find someone with extensive experience performing this specific operation. Rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated plastic surgery procedures and requires technical expertise to create the desired results. I’d be happy to meet personally to discuss your concerns and aesthetic goals.
You can contact us using the online form or call my office at (727) 289-7119 to schedule an appointment.
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