Ten Things to Avoid After Rhinoplasty Surgery

Dr. Philip Miller

May 29, 2018

A rhinoplasty procedure can give you results that are dramatic, satisfying, and very positive. But the surgery is just half the battle. Once you’ve left the operating room to head home and begin your recovery, maintaining these new changes and actualizing these results will be all up to you. While each person will recover at a different pace, you have a hand at making your road to recovery much smoother, without any complications, unwanted side effects, or delays. Learn about the things you must avoid in order to achieve the nose job results you truly desire and to feel better as quickly as possible.

#1 – Strenuous Activities

While recovering from your rhinoplasty, you must avoid any strenuous activities like high impact exercising, heavy lifting, and anything that involves vigorous movement. There are several reasons to avoid these activities. Firstly, the excess blood flow to the face can increase swelling and even put you at risk for bleeding. Secondly, your sweat can compromise the healing process of your skin. Lastly, vigorous or strenuous activities can put you at risk for damage to the nose. When your nose is healing from surgery, the bones are often not set, making it more susceptible to damage, breakage, and shifting.

#2 – Blowing Your Nose

Allergies, colds, and the flu virus are difficult to contend with any time of the year, but they can be downright dangerous soon after your nasal surgery. For the weeks leading up to your surgery, steer clear of anyone who appears to be ill and wash your hands regularly. Don’t be afraid to carry hand sanitizer around or spray Lysol to your work area to make sure you’ve killed all those germs. Catching an illness before surgery can delay your procedure or, if symptoms show up after surgery, blowing your nose or sniffling can disrupt proper healing and cause bleeding.

#3 – Staying Out In the Sun

While a pool day or a tropical vacation always sounds like a good idea, be careful. Sun exposure can burn the nose, create discoloration at any incision sites where scar tissue is present, or increase your risk for certain complications. Even if your facial plastic surgeon has given you the all clear beforehand, wear a hat and some heavy-duty sunscreen to be extra safe.

#4 – Wearing Glasses

If you wear glasses regularly, you’ll need to try out contact lenses for a little while to allow time for your nose to heal properly. Glasses rest on the bridge of the nose, often leading to indents on the softened cartilage and tissue. While your nose is still healing, you’re best served by setting those glasses aside for a bit.

#5 – Bumping, Hitting, Or Touching Your Nose At All

After rhinoplasty surgery, you’re going to be curious about what your new nose feels like, but it’s not a good idea to touch it, push on it, or poke it. Not only will it probably hurt, but you risk misaligning the bones, reshaping the cartilage, or undoing your results in some way. To keep the nasal shape safe from contact, avoid these activities:

Basically, try to keep your nose safe and protected from anything that could cause an injury. But of course, accidents sometimes do happen. If you encounter any problems after your rhinoplasty surgery, talk to your facial plastic surgeon about what steps you can take to reverse the damage or to plan a revision rhinoplasty procedure.

#6 – Lying Flat

Lying flat on the back might be comfortable for some, but it’s a dangerous activity for nose job patients. With the head at the same level as the heart, the blood flow to the face and nose will be increased. This can encourage excess bleeding, increased swelling, and even greater pain. What position is best? Prop your head up with a pillow or sleep on a reclining chair at an angle.

#7 – Wearing Makeup

Don’t wear makeup –yet. While wearing makeup is a great way to cover up any post-surgical bruising around your nose and eyes, applying cosmetics to the healing skin and incisions can cause complications and increase your risk of infection. Steer clear of concealers, powders, and other makeup products until you are considered healed enough to use them. Talk with your facial plastic surgeon for more information on your healing time frame.

#8 – Smoking And Drinking Alcohol

Smoking and drinking alcohol are dangerous activities for any patient healing from surgery, including rhinoplasty. The nicotine in cigarettes can restrict the blood vessels and reduce blood flow to very low levels, inhibiting proper healing. Alcohol, on the other hand, can interfere with your medications and thin your blood, promoting excess bleeding. To be safest during your recovery, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for at least three weeks after your rhinoplasty surgery.

#9 – Eating Hard Or Chewy Foods

Especially for the first few days wherein facial movement must be minimized,

avoid foods that need a lot of chewing. Avoid munching on fruits like apples and pears, as well as raw vegetables like carrots. Gums and steaks can be harmful too since they put a lot of pressure on the jaw. 

 #10 – Getting Constipated

Bowel movements are typically irregular right after your surgery. The condition can be quite uncomfortable, so the best way to reduce this risk is to consume foods that are rich in fiber. For the first few days, you can have oatmeal or blended smoothies made of high-fiber fruits and vegetables. If after a couple of days, you still have not had a bowel movement, you may ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.

Remember always to ask your surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your recovery period.

Your Rhinoplasty Recovery Process

After your rhinoplasty surgery procedure, you will be sent home with a care sheet along with your pain medications. You’ll also need a friend or family member to act as your chauffeur for the day. You’ll likely feel a bit disoriented, drowsy, and maybe dizzy or nauseous after your anesthetics have begun to wear off. Take your prescribed pain medication as directed during this time and don’t miss your doses. Keep in mind that your recovery will rely on your body being rested and relaxed, so don’t create stress by being uncomfortable or in pain.

Get plenty of sleep during the first few days of your recovery. This will allow your body to heal properly. You can expect some swelling and tightness, redness and bruising, and experience some pain and discomfort. If any of these symptoms change at all, suddenly worsen, or become concerning to you, contact your facial plastic surgeon for assistance. But above all, simply follow your surgeon’s instructions for your best healing results. By avoiding the following items, you help to ensure that your nose looks its best while feeling your best.

Consult With A Nose Job Specialist For Your Procedure

Just like any other surgery, preparing for rhinoplasty can be nerve-wracking. However, feeling confident that you’ve selected the right plastic surgeon can help put you at ease. Philip Miller, MD, FACS has specialized exclusively in facial plastic surgery and offers over 20 years of experience and knowledge to his patients. A recognized expert in rhinoplasty, Dr. Miller has been frequently invited to share his specific techniques with his peers at various national facial plastic surgery meetings. He has been voted among the Best Doctors in America each year since 2007, and has also been named a Top Doctor of New York. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, contact his office located at 60 East 56th Street, Third Floor in New York City, by calling (646) 791-3025.

Next, find out if Weight-loss could Affect your Rhinoplasty Surgery

Last Updated: 08/16/2019

Dr. Philip Miller

Focusing exclusively on the face for more than two decades, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Miller blends art and science with innovation and skill to provide thousands of patients with impeccable results. He is known for pioneering the NatraLook methodology for rhinoplasty, facelifts, neck lifts, and other cosmetic procedures for the face.