Recovery after your Rhinoplasty operation

After surgery

After your nasal surgery you will wake in the theatre recovery room where you will be monitored until you wake up fully. You will then return to your room where you will then be able to rest. Depending upon how you are feeling and the amount of work undertaken, you may well be able to go home the same evening if you wish.

Following discharge from hospital

Before being discharged you will be shown how to take care of your nose over the immediate post operative period. Over the next few days you will need to gently clean your nostrils and moisturise the inside of your nose with a gentle saline spray that will be provided. Your nose may feel congested and may run a little. Most patients are surprised how little pain or bruising there is.

You will need to rest and take things easy following your operation. Normally we would recommend at least a week off work and a break of at least six weeks before returning to any strenuous exercise. Most of the bruising will have gone within one week.

What to expect following your Rhinoplasty procedure:

• Swelling: Within a few hours your nasal tissues and skin will start to swell. This is normal. The amount is reduced by the anti-inflammatory medicines you will be given.
• Discolouration: Bruising and black eyes are a normal consequence of this type of surgery. Most of this should be settled within the first week post-op.
• Self cleansing: By using the newer, more comfortable dissolvable internal nasal dressings it is normal to expect a small amount of nose bleeding for a few days. You will be instructed how to clean your nose and moisturise the packs with a saline spray. You will also need to put ointment on your stitches. It is important that you follow the instructions to minimise your own discomfort and give you the best scar possible. By spraying the nasal cavity with the supplied saline spray it will be more comfortable for you at the follow up appointment when any residual packing is removed.
• Pain: Most people find the procedure less painful than they expect. Do not however assume that this is a minor procedure. You will have some discomfort for the first week and will feel tired and will need to be off work.
• Nasal congestion: Your nasal lining will swell post-op and cause congestion. The soft internal nasal dressings also expand a little when moistened and can cause temporary nasal blockage. This is normal.

Follow up

Mr Simmons will see you in clinic about a week after your nasal operation to gently remove the external splint and any sutures from your nose. Most of the bruising and swelling will have settled by then. Any residual packing will be gently vacuumed from your nostrils. This is not uncomfortable as long as you have followed the post op instructions about applying the regular saline spray to your nostrils.

Over the next few weeks you will need to still use the saline spray (but less frequently) and still apply ointment or Vaseline to the wound until it has fully healed.

You would normally be seen once or twice after this over the next few months. Usually these follow up appointments are included in the package fee.

RHINOPLASTY FEES