3 Ways to Improve Your Rhinoplasty Recovery
Nearly every rhinoplasty patient is determined to optimize his or her recovery. If you recently had rhinoplasty, or if you are planning to undergo surgery, you may be excited and anxious to return to work or school and show off your newly improved nose. In this post, trusted rhinoplasty surgeon Ashkan Ghavami suggests three safe ways to improve and expedite your rhinoplasty recovery process.
Control Swelling
There are simple things you can do to manage swelling and heal faster after rhinoplasty. First and foremost, keep your head elevated at all times, including when you sleep. You can prop yourself up on several pillows or sleep in a comfortable recliner.
Gently applying a cold compress to your eye and cheek area is also recommended, as the coolness causes blood vessel constriction to help swelling. Avoid anything that is very hot and steamy, like a steaming bowl or soup or a hot shower, which can aggravate swelling. Also, refrain from taking anti-inflammatory medications unless Dr. Ghavami specifically prescribes them.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Nourish your body in the days and weeks following rhinoplasty — it will thank you! Incorporate fresh produce, lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats whenever possible. Limit your intake of salty or sodium-rich foods, which can worsen swelling. Try to avoid adding salt to your food if you can help it.
Also, stay hydrated by sipping plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking lots of water will flush out toxins from your anesthesia. It will also stave off constipation, which is a common side effect of many pain medications.
Limit Physical Activities
Following rhinoplasty, your body’s main job is to recover from your operation. Heavy lifting, straining or vigorous movement will set your recovery back by exacerbating swelling. Depending on the activity, you could even risk an accident or complication that impacts your surgical results. For instance, you may feel good enough to go for a run or return to sports, but you put yourself at risk of hitting or bumping your healing nose.
To be safe, keep your activity level to a minimum. The gentler the activity, the better. Short, slow walks around your house, backyard or block are good for promoting healthy circulation without putting your nose at risk of an accidental bump.
Dr. Ghavami will give you additional recovery instructions and tips that should be closely followed after surgery. If you have questions about those instructions or the information included in this post, don’t be afraid to contact our team. We are here for you throughout your recovery.