Getting ready for a nose job
If you’re planning on getting a nose job, the first thing you need to do is make sure you’ll be able to spend some time at home, with as little physical strain as possible and a minimum of person-to-person contact. (Staying in touch online is fine. In fact, you may want to document your recovery period using photos. The important thing is that you not contract a cold or the flu — sneezing at this point would be disastrous.) You’ll be breathing through your mouth, so have lip balm and beverages around. (Non-alcoholic beverages, please. In fact, you should stop drinking now and save the alcohol for when you’re fully healed.)
If you need glasses, get some contact lenses and learn to wear them before the surgery
— you won’t want anything resting on your nose while it’s healing. If you smoke, you’ll have to go cold turkey now. This includes things like vaping or nicotine gum — nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which slows the healing process. So again, you’ll want to wait until you’re healed. Don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E or herbal supplements within the two weeks before the surgery — these can cause excess bleeding.
The recovery period
The worst part of the pain after rhinoplasty comes during the first two to three days. Take whatever painkillers your surgeon recommends, along with antibiotics to prevent infection. Ask your surgeon about cold packs. Be sure to eat something even if you don’t feel like it, but avoid salty foods — they can cause inflammation at the tip of your nose, but otherwise eat as much as you can manage. Get plenty of sleep, keeping your head and torso elevated to reduce swelling.
Obviously, don’t bump your nose. Stay away from pullover sweaters or anything else that might put pressure on your nose. Take your temperature often. Always put sunscreen on your nose if you go outside on a sunny day. Don’t do anything that might raise blood pressure in your head, such as bending over or exercising hard. Your rhinoplasty surgeon can give you more advice on managing your recovery.
Charlotte’s most experienced rhinoplasty surgeon
Dr. Sean Freeman is Charlotte’s best rhinoplasty surgeon, certified by two different surgery boards, the American Board of Otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has done only facial plastic surgery, including nose jobs, since 1988. Many of his patients have already gotten nose jobs from other surgeons and come to him for revision rhinoplasty to make them better. If you live in or near Charlotte and are interested in rhinoplasty, schedule your appointment today or ask for online consultation to get a discount of the consultation fee.
Contact Dr. Sean Freeman at Only Faces, Charlotte’s most experienced rhinoplasty surgeon and top facial plastic surgeon, to schedule a consultation to find out what procedure is right for you. Call today.