How Much Does the Nose Change After Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is among the popular cosmetic procedures in the United States. The surgery helps transform the appearance and function of the nose. It may include various techniques, depending on your physiological and aesthetic goals. 

Your surgeon may perform the procedure to open your nasal passages and resize your nose. They also do it to straighten the bridge. A specialist at Texas Plastic Surgery can resize, reshape, and reposition the nostrils, remove your nasal hump, and reshape the tip of your nose.

Below are some of the changes to expect after rhinoplasty.

Swelling

Your nose will appear bruised after rhinoplasty. You do not need to worry as this is a usual occurrence. Your surgeon will bandage half your face, including the nose. Ideally, you should expect the bruising no matter the procedure scope. It may appear around your eyes and cheeks.

Below are some things you can do to reduce swelling:
 

• Exercise – You can start by walking lightly within two weeks after your surgery. Avoid strenuous workouts while you are recovering. Your doctor will advise you about how you can progress your exercises based on your healing.
   

• Avoid blowing your nose – Ideally, avoid blowing your nose for seven to 10 days after the procedure. The pressure from blowing adds to the swelling and can lead to nose bleeding, which may increase the bruising.
   

• Take on a diet to speed up your healing - Some foods can help reduce the swelling during healing. Eat fruits filled with papain, the enzyme that allows your body to heal the bruising. You can get that from fresh pineapples or papaya. Avoid salty foods and alcohol because they encourage swelling.
   

• Clean the outside of your nose – Your doctor can recommend using some medication and ointment to clean around your nostrils.

Stuffiness

Expect your nose to feel stuffy and blocked for a few weeks after your surgical procedure. Your specialist will tell you about this during your consultation to help you prepare psychologically. You may have the inside of your nose dressed using plastic splints.

Stuffiness will wear off when your specialist removes the dressings after a week. You are also likely to experience mucus in your throat. It will clear after a while when your doctor removes the plastic splints.

Discomfort

It is normal to experience mild pain a few days after the surgery. Your specialist will recommend some medication to control the pain. Expect the discomfort to ease after three days post-surgery. But if the pain remains or increases, seek help from your doctor.

Nasal Discharge

Rhinoplasty subjects your nose to surgical trauma. Expect to have nasal discharge for the first week after the procedure. Your doctor will talk to you about this occurring. They can place a gauze below your nose that may need frequent changing.

Altered Senses

You are likely to experience changes in taste and smell after a few weeks post-surgery. Once your bruises heal, your senses will get back to their normal state.

Numbness

Your nose tip will have a numb sensation. Your mouth roof and front teeth may also feel numb after the procedure because rhinoplasty affects the nerves. Do not worry about this change, as your doctor will notify you that it is a usual occurrence that will clear off after some time.

For more about rhinoplasty, visit Texas Plastic Surgery at our office in San Antonio, Texas. You can also call (210) 934-8400 to book an appointment today.