Do you feel self-conscious due to the width of your nose? Do you wish your nose tip was not so elongated? Was your nose injured in an accident? Do you have breathing problems due to the structure of your nasal passages? If so, you may be an ideal candidate for rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, at The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration, FL. Read on to learn more about what you can expect during recovery.
How Long Is Recovery After Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty recovery timelines vary, but you can generally expect to be fully healed after a full year. During this time, you must protect your skin from sun damage, but you won’t need to adhere to strict recovery guidelines for 12 full months. Rather, you must abide by a handful of post-operative rules for a short period of time. Several factors affect how long your recovery will take after a nose job. For example, you can anticipate your recovery period ending sooner if the closed technique is used to perform your procedure. As another example, you can expect to need a longer recovery period if you smoke, drink alcohol, or exert yourself too much too soon after surgery.
What Can I Do To Heal From My Nose Job Faster?
To recover from rhinoplasty as quickly as possible, it is crucial that you follow all of the recommended recovery guidelines. For example, you must avoid strenuous activity for several weeks after your procedure. You will come in for multiple follow-up appointments so we can assess how your recovery is progressing. We will advise you on when you can resume strenuous physical activity. Another important rule to follow for a rapid recovery is to rest as much as you can. You should try to dedicate at least nine hours of sleep nightly during your recovery. At a bare minimum, you should get 7.5 hours of sleep each night. Additionally, you should nap during the day if you feel that your body could benefit from the extra rest.
What Other Recovery Guidelines Should I Follow?
Don’t Consume Harmful Substances
It is also extremely important that you do not consume harmful substances during the first couple of weeks of your recovery period. For example, you should not drink alcohol if you want your recovery to go as smoothly and quickly as possible. Similarly, you should refrain from consuming any nicotine-containing products for at least the first 14 days of your recovery period. Smoking restricts blood flow, an important part of your recovery. Note that blood-thinning drugs and supplements are also considered harmful substances in the early stages of your recovery process. You should not take NSAIDs, vitamin E supplements, or fish oil supplements. Additionally, all other drugs and supplements that can impede blood clot formation or cause blood thinning should not be taken.
Exercise
To recover from your nose job as quickly as possible, it is equally important that you exercise regularly and avoid overexerting yourself. You may feel exhausted during the first one to three days of your recovery due to the medication administered before surgery. If you don’t feel up to exercising at this point in the recovery process, that’s okay. However, you should start engaging in moderate cardio as soon as you feel up to it. It is essential that you listen to your body when you exercise. Just like you should nap when you feel fatigued, you should stop exercising if you start feeling too tired. You also should stop working out if you start breathing so hard that you can’t sing a song.
Eat Nutritiously
You can also help your body recover from surgery faster by eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and protein. It is important to eat enough protein during your recovery because your body breaks down the protein in your diet into the amino acids that it is made up of. Three amino acids in particular are required by your skin to form collagen, a special type of protein that helps facilitate skin healing. Fruits and vegetables should be consumed in abundance during your recovery because they tend to be rich in vitamins, minerals, and water. Your skin needs many micronutrients, including zinc and vitamin C to produce collagen and heal efficiently.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is another crucial recovery rule you must follow if you want to recover from surgery as soon as you can. Men should aim to drink around a gallon of hydrating fluids every day during the first six to eight weeks post-op. Women should drink at least half a gallon of tea, water, and coffee every day until they have healed from their procedure sufficiently. If your urine is dark, you need to consume more hydrating fluids. If you can’t stomach the idea of drinking more water, try to munch on some carrots or snack on some sweet, succulent berries. Eating foods that are rich in water will hydrate your body.
Don’t Blow Your Nose
It is also important that you do not blow your nose for at least two weeks after your rhinoplasty. One way to deal with an itchy nose during the first two weeks of your recovery is to put together a puzzle or do something else to distract yourself from the sensation in your sinuses. Alternatively, a nasal spray can be administered for rapid relief. If you usually experience allergy symptoms, you can improve your symptoms with an antihistamine. Otherwise, you can spray a sterile saline solution into your nostrils. This may be purchased at your local pharmacy, or you can make it yourself.
Look and Feel Your Best
Everyone experiences a unique rhinoplasty recovery timeline, but you can be confident that you will be healed fully one year after your nose job. The technique used to perform the procedure, your adherence to the recovery guidelines, and other factors affect how long it will take you to recover. To learn more, schedule an initial evaluation with us today at The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration, FL.