Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery
Immediately Following Revision Rhinoplasty Surgery
A typical revision rhinoplasty surgery can last anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 hours, although highly complex surgery may take longer. The majority of revision rhinoplasty surgeries are conducted as an outpatient procedure. Patients are able to return home the day of the procedure, however, you should plan on having a friend or family member drive you to the surgical facility, wait during your procedure and drive you home. It is also a good idea to have someone stay with you for the first night immediately following your surgery to help with activities of daily living and nasal care.
There is no doubt that the intellectual and psychological preparedness conferred by prior experience and a more detailed preoperative process makes the recovery process easier to handle. In addition, the excitement of fixing unsatisfactory results also makes the recovery easier to endure.
Many patients report that their revision rhinoplasty is not particularly painful and offers a more expedient recovery timeline when compared to their primary rhinoplasty. A revision rhinoplasty may yield less bruising depending upon the amount of bone work to be done.
You will likely go home with your nose in a formed plastic splint may if the procedure required manipulation of your nasal bones or cartilage grafting. You may also have soft packing placed inside your nose if bleeding is more than expected. More commonly, packing is not necessary and patients use a ‘drip pad’ of gauze held in place by an ear strap for the first evening. It is typical for there to be some bruising and eye swelling and most patients experience a “stuffed up” or congested feeling. The swelling and pressure may be diminished by using an ice pack in the form of a bag of frozen peas. Once any bleeding or dripping has subsided, your surgeon will prescribe a regimen of nasal care with hydrogen peroxide and ointment which will keep your nose from getting crusty.
Read more about : Rhinoplasty healing stages
Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery – Days 2 through 4
Patients generally experience a fairly low degree of pain during the period immediately following a revision rhinoplasty surgery. The pain that is present is rated at most as either a three or a four (on a pain scale of one to ten) and takes the form of pressure rather than sharp pain. You will have been prescribed an oral pain medication, which should be more than adequate to manage your postoperative pain. Some patients experience nausea as a side effect of the general anesthetic, a bit of post nasal drip and the inability to smell/taste that can last for several days.
The most compelling issue in the early post-op period may be the inability to breathe through your nose. Obligate mouth breathing can be a bit uncomfortable and may interfere with normal sleep habits. Your surgeon will likely prescribe a nasal irrigation regimen which helps ameliorate this considerably.
You will most likely be fatigued immediately following your procedure, but after you have rested you can return to light activities. Your main limitation during the first 48 hours is to try to avoid any activities that may cause your nose to bleed. You should avoid activities like blowing your nose, bending over, or straining yourself with heavy lifting. You should not take medications like Advil, Aspirin and Motrin in the early post-op period.
You should purchase a wedge pillow or sleep on at least two large pillows so that your upper body is kept at a 30-degree angle. Sleeping with your head higher than your heart will help keep your swelling and bruising down by preventing your capillaries and blood vessels from dilating. This can also help prevent post-operative bleeding and will help you avoid a throbbing sensation that occurs when you lay horizontally.
If you do require packing, your surgeon will see you within the 48 hours post-op to remove it.
Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery – Days 5 through 7
Some bruising and swelling may still be visible; however, by day 7 in the revision rhinoplasty recovery timeline, it is generally not obvious that you have had a surgical procedure. Swelling rapidly resolves by this time to the point where your splint may even loosen up.
You should return to meet with your revision rhinoplasty surgeon between 6 or 7 days after surgery. Your splint and stitches will likely be removed. Most patients are ready to return to work approximately one week after their surgery. However, you should still continue with light duty and postpone all strenuous activities for a few more weeks. You should continue to take care to avoid rubbing, jarring or bumping your nose. In addition, you should wear a hat when outdoors and limit your exposure to the sun to avoid getting sunburned for up to eight weeks.
Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery – Days 8 through 14
It can take up to 10 days or more for the bruising to fade completely. However, bruising in patients who smoke may take up to 3 weeks or more to dissipate. It is highly recommended that anyone considering plastic surgery quit smoking as soon as possible to improve his or her chance of having a smoother and speedier recovery as well as a superior result.
By this time, nasal care and irrigation will usually no longer be necessary.
Although patients are generally able to return to work after one week, occasionally a revision rhinoplasty surgeon will recommend up to two weeks off from work following more extensive or multiple procedures.
Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery – Days 15 through 30
Patients should continue to avoid strenuous activity for two to three weeks following surgery. After two weeks most patients are able to fully resume their normal activities. Contact sports and other extreme activities should also be put on hold until the two-month mark unless your nose can be protected by a face mask or similar protective wear.
The majority of the swelling should have subsided by this time, however, your nose will continue to heal and reveal itself for several months to come.
Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery – Months 1 through 3
By the thirty-day mark in the revision rhinoplasty recovery timeline, most patients are fully recovered to the point where it no longer appears as if they’ve had surgery. While the majority of the swelling has subsided, the final surgical results will still not be apparent.
Over the next few months, the swelling will continue to decrease and any scars will continue to diminish in their appearance. The swelling on the bridge of the nose will dissipate faster than on the tip of the nose, which generally takes the longest. Any numbness in the tip usually resolves in this timeframe.
Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery – Up to 1 Year
For some patients, especially those who have received extensive tip work, the revision rhinoplasty recovery timeline may extend beyond one year. Even though a patient has had a revision rhinoplasty surgery, the normal aging process will continue and they may see subtle changes in their nose as time goes by. In addition to aging, minor changes in swelling and scar tissue are normal for up to a few years after the surgery. To be sure that the nose is aging and performing well it is a good practice for patients to continue to meet with their revision rhinoplasty surgeon in Passaic County once a year. Cortisone injections may be recommended to help diminish soft tissue swelling.
Following your revision rhinoplasty, any visible incisions may appear to be red or raised. This can subside after only a few weeks but may be visible for several months. In most cases, your incision(s) will become virtually invisible by 6-12 months.
Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery Timeline
No two patients will heal at exactly the same rate, as each body is unique and will respond to the surgery in different ways. As such there is no definitive revision rhinoplasty recovery timeline, however, the above stages will provide you with a general idea of what to expect. Here are a few additional guidelines to help you achieve the best results and a rapid recovery:
. Stick with a healthy diet by eating the right foods and drinking plenty of water.
. Do not smoke. If you do, quit as quickly as possible.
. Avoid taking Advil, Aspirin and Motrin for two weeks prior to surgery. Be sure to discuss any vitamins, minerals, supplements and medications with your surgeon before surgery.
Source:
. https://cohenwintersplasticsurgery.com/revision-rhinoplasty-recovery-timeline/