Post-Operative Guide for Rhinoplasty Surgery

General

The recuperation time after rhinoplasty in Dubai differs for each patient, but this guide will give you an idea of what to expect. This nose surgery Dubai recovery timeline covers everything from surgery day through final results. If you have any concerns after surgery, please contact Dr. Shahram Sajjadi. 

1. What to Expect:

• Following rhinoplasty surgery in Dubai, you can anticipate having a plaster cast over your nose that will be wrapped with brown tape. Dr. Shahram Sajjadi may also employ internal nasal splints that are attached with a surgical stitch. This may cause the nose to feel obstructed until they are removed. These are normally removed at your first post-operative appointment, which occurs 7-10 days after surgery.
• The day after surgery is usually rather comfortable, but things will worsen before they improve. Tiredness, nasal congestion, edema, and bruises are most severe on days two and three following surgery.
• You will have some ooze of blood-stained fluids for the first 3-4 days, and you will be weary to varying degrees following the anesthetic. You need to rest and avoid overexertion.
• You’ll see swelling and bruises under your eyes.
• You’ll notice swelling changes, especially in the morning. It is common for the nose’s appearance to alter from day to day in the first six weeks after surgery.
• Internal swelling causes a daily variation in the form of your nostrils.

2. Care Instructions

• For the first week after surgery, raise your head and sleep with two pillows to achieve a 45-degree angle. Ideally, you should sleep on your back at this time.
• You must keep the plaster cast dry. You may shower if the cast remains dry.
• If you feel the desire to sneeze, do it with your mouth open.
• Use the ointments and drops that were given to you.
• You should take advantage of the first week after surgery to rest, which will speed up the recovery process.
• You should take two weeks off work after surgery.

3. Avoid

• Ideally, avoid plane travel for the first two weeks following surgery.
• For two weeks after surgery, avoid taking really hot baths or eating hot foods.
• Avoid strenuous exercise during the first week. You do not have to stay in bed, but your activity should be limited to walking. Gentle activity can begin in the second week after surgery, and you can gradually increase the intensity.
• Avoid intense exercise for four weeks and contact sports for six weeks after surgery.
• If you normally wear glasses, please avoid them for six weeks after surgery. Please wear contacts or consider utilizing a glasses holder.

Things to Buy to Use After Rhinoplasty

4. Medications that will be provided from the hospital:

• Pain treatment medications include paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine.
• Otrivine is a nasal spray/drop that relieves congestion.
• Ointment is for use on the skin between your nostrils and around the interior of your nostrils.

5. Other medications to buy:

• Following cast removal, apply Sterimar nasal spray or Neilmed sinus rinse.
• SPF 50 sun cream.
• If taping is needed following casting removal, use ½ inch 3M micropore tape.

6. Other Items

• Cooling pads, such as Koolpak, are optional and can assist minimize edema around the face.
• Travel pillow – optional to help keep your head stable while sleeping on your back.

First 4 Days Post-Rhinoplasty: Day 1 (Surgery Day)

7. What to Expect:

• When you initially leave the operating room and begin to awaken from anesthesia, you may feel disoriented and need to drink water or use the restroom. You may also have blurred vision or a sensation in your eyes. During the procedure, we apply lubricating jelly to keep your eyes from becoming dry. We clean this away after surgery, but it may seem as if something is in your eye.
• For this nose job in Dubai, you should expect the following on day one:
• Swelling and bruising start.
• You should anticipate to have a plaster cast on the bridge of your nose that is fixed with medical tape.
• An internal nasal splint or dissolvable packing may be present inside the nose.
• If internal nasal splints are not utilized, you should be able to breathe normally through your nose initially. Swelling develops, and your nose may feel clogged for two to three weeks.
• If you apply internal nasal splints, your nose will immediately feel obstructed.
• Mild to severe pain, congestion, and little bleeding are all common.
• The throat may be sore for the first two days following surgery. This is due to the anesthetic equipment (tube or mask) used to keep you breathing during surgery.

8. Care Instructions:

• Apply cold compresses around your nose, but not directly to it.
• Take pain relievers as indicated.
• Avoid blowing your nose and touching it.
• Stick to liquids (soups, smoothies) and soft foods.

9. Avoid:

• Bending over and lifting heavy objects.
• Strenuous exercise.
• Driving (if using pain medication).
• Food that is chewy, extremely hot, or spicy.

First 4 Days Post-Rhinoplasty: Days 2-4

10. What to Expect:

• Swelling peaks and bruises become more noticeable.
• Sometimes the swelling is asymmetrical, with one eye much larger than the other.
• Bruising will start out blue and gradually turn yellow.
• Congestion and minor discomfort continue.
• Nasal secretions will congeal or dry in the nose. It is critical to apply the nasal spray offered to moisten the inside of the nose.

11. Care Instructions:

• Make sure to start applying the nasal drops and ointment to the bottom of your nose and the region between your nostrils.
• Keep the nasal cast dry.
• Continue using cold compresses.
• Consume anti-inflammatory foods and avoid extra salt.
• Light walking indoors is acceptable.

Next 1 Week: Days 5-10

12. What to Expect:

• Swelling begins to diminish.
• Less pain, but minor discomfort remains.
• Nasal cast removal usually happens between days 7 and 10.
• The dissolvable stitches will begin to break down and fall away from the skin.
• The medical tape used to attach the plaster cast may begin to loosen, particularly if it becomes moist. Simply use mild pressure to reattach the tape to the skin.

13. Care Instructions:

• Maintain hydration and soft meals.
• Gentle walking is acceptable; vigorous exercise is not recommended.
• No direct water on the nose while showering.

14. Avoid:

• Heavy lifting and strenuous workout.
• Public areas where you might bump your nose.

Cast Removal

15. What to Expect:

• At your first post-operative session, you can anticipate to have the external cast removed, the internal nasal splints removed (if they were utilized during the surgery), the nostrils cleansed, and any long sutures clipped short.
• The removal of the external cast can be uncomfortable, but it normally takes only a few minutes.
• When the cast is first removed, there may be substantial swelling in different areas of the nose, eyes, and cheeks.
• The position of the nasal tip and nostrils will be influenced by how the nose was taped during surgery, which will alter over the next few days and weeks.

16. Care Instructions:

• Prior to your visit, please clean your face and nose as well as possible.
• It might be beneficial for you to utilize the nasal drops offered two hours before seeing Dr. Shahram Sajjadi.
• Take some pain alleviation two hours before your clinic appointment.
• Following the consultation, you may be instructed to tape the nose, particularly at night, to decrease swelling.

17. Avoid:

• Excessive nose-touching following cast removal.
• Hot showers for an additional week.

Weeks 1-8

18. What to Expect:

• Expect a progressive reduction in edema, both internally and externally, following cast removal.
• During this time, different portions of the nose and face may change as the skin and tissues in your nose heal from surgery.
• Facial edema is typically worse in the morning. Applying tape to the nose at night can help alleviate this.
• Usually, your nasal breathing improves three weeks after surgery.
• The incision on the columella (the skin between your nostrils) will initially turn red and then gradually diminish over time.

19. Care Instructions:

• To clean the nasal passages, apply a saltwater nasal spray/wash (Sterimar or Neilmed sinus rinse) twice daily.
• One week following surgery, stop taking the decongestant spray/drops (Otrivine). If you use this for an extended period of time, you may experience rebound swelling in your nose or grow reliant on it.
• Gradually increase the intensity of exercise.

20. Avoid:

• Contact sports or direct impact on the nose.
• Carrying small children or babies who may reach for your nose.

Months 2-3 Post-Rhinoplasty

21. What to Expect:

• The majority of the swelling resolves, but the tip swelling may persist.
• The appearance of the nose continues to improve as healing progresses.

22. Care Instructions:

• Moderate strength training is OK.
• Swimming is generally safe after two months.

Months 4-6 Post-Rhinoplasty

23. What to Expect:

• Swelling continues to subside.
• You can do more physical activities.

24. Care Instructions:

• Use caution when participating in light contact sports.
• Avoid any direct impact to the nose.

Key Recovery Guidelines

• Exercise: Gradually increase exercise while avoiding trauma.
• Diet: Consume anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich foods. Avoid salt and alcohol.
• Makeup: Can be applied after 2-3 weeks, but be delicate.
• Sun protection: Always use SPF 50. Avoid direct sunlight exposure.
• Sleeping: After two weeks, you can lie on your side. Sleeping face down should be avoided until the sixth month.
• Final Results: Expect complete results after 6-12 months.
• Avoid contact sports, high temperatures, and excessive nose handling.

If you have any questions about your recovery or would like to book a rhinoplasty consultation in Dubai, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Dr. Shahram Sajjadi’s practice is recognised as the best clinic for rhinoplasty in Dubai, offering thorough aftercare and support throughout your healing journey.

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