“How do I take care of my nose after a rhinoplasty?”

Hello, just wear sunblock so you don’t get a rash, since the skin is sensitive for several months. As well, don’t play any sports or aggravating exercises for three months.

Postoperative care after rhinoplasty usually consists of sleeping with the back of the bed elevated for approximately one week, applying cold compresses intermittently to the eyes for the first 48 hours, and avoiding strenuous activity and excessive leaning forward for approximately three weeks. Also, contact sports should be avoided for approximately three weeks. Intense sun on the nose should be avoided and sunscreen should be worn for approximately two months. Care should also be taken not to let one's glasses dig into the bridge of the nose for prolonged periods of time during the first month or so after surgery. Beyond that, the postoperative care is not as complicated as people think. Many of my patients return to school or to desk jobs after three or four days even with their cast still on. The nose is not that fragile with the cast on, and by the end of a week or so when the cast is removed, there is a surprising amount of strength to the nasal bones, unlike an extremity fracture, which takes six weeks to get strength. Most people are also surprised that the pain was significantly less than they expected.
Thank you for your inquiry.

Sincerely,

Robert Ciardullo, MD

Swelling and slight bruising and discomfort will be present for the first one to two weeks after your surgery. You’ll need to abstain from any significant physical activity and rest in bed for at least the first few days. It’s also important to keep your head higher than your chest while resting. The sutures will need to be cleaned with a Q-tip and hydrogen peroxide several times per day. The stitches will need to be lubricated with a product like Aquaphor several times a day as well. Swelling will reduce significantly in the first days and weeks of your recovery. But keep in mind that swelling will come and go in the months to come. In fact, all of the swelling may not go away for up to a year.