YOUR NEW APPEARANCE

Return to Normal Life

Most patients who undergo aesthetic nose surgery can typically get up and move around within two days and return to school or non-strenuous work within a week after the surgery.

However, it will take a few weeks before you fully return to your regular routine. Your surgeon will provide more detailed explanations regarding your return to normal life. Usually, you’ll be advised to avoid high-effort activities (running, swimming, gymnastics, any activity that raises your blood pressure) for two to three weeks, protect your nose from impact or bumps for 8 weeks, and avoid rubbing or sunburning. Be gentle and cautious while washing your face and hair or applying makeup.

You can use contact lenses if needed, but the situation is different for glasses. After the splint on your nose is removed, glasses’ legs should not rest on the bridge of your nose for about two months until your nose is fully healed.

Your doctor will schedule frequent check-ups during the month following your surgery to monitor your progress. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you have any unusual complaints or concerns about what you should or should not do.

Your New Appearance

In the days following the surgery, your face will be swollen and bruised, making it easy to forget that you will look and feel better. After an aesthetic surgery, most patients may not feel good for a while, which is quite normal and understandable. Some patients are confident that this phase will pass. Day by day, your nose will start to look more beautiful, and your spirits will gradually rise. After one or two weeks, you won’t appear as if you’ve just had surgery. However, the healing process is still slow and gradual.

There may be minimal swelling, particularly at the tip of the nose, which may persist for months. The true result of aesthetic nose surgery might not appear for a year or even longer.

Initially, you might receive unexpected reactions from your family or friends. They may say they don’t notice any changes in your nose. Or if you’ve altered something they considered a familial or ethnic feature, they might feel a bit offended. If this happens, try to remember why you decided to have this surgery in the first place. If you’ve achieved your goal, then your surgery has been successful.

Post-Operative Care Guide for Aesthetic Nose Surgery

The healing process after your nose surgery requires time and patience. Actively participating in post-operative care is as important as the surgery itself.

Please follow the recommendations listed below. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor about anything you don’t understand.

1. You might find it difficult to breathe through your nose due to the nasal packs. During this period, you must breathe through your mouth. Your doctor will determine how long the packs will stay in your nose.
2. Adequate hydration is essential. Sipping fruit juices, water, and light beverages will help alleviate the dryness caused by mouth breathing. Avoid using straws. Eat soft, easily chewable foods. Use jelly or lip balms to keep your lips moist.
3. Use only the medications prescribed by your doctor. Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing drugs or anticoagulants.
4. If dressings are on your nose, keep your head elevated, with at least two pillows, while sleeping or resting. Throughout the day, try to keep your head upright as much as possible; this will maintain normal blood circulation and help reduce postoperative swelling.
5. A slight nasal discharge is expected. It will be pinkish or light red. However, if continuous red blood is coming out, inform your doctor immediately.
6. Upon leaving the surgery, your nose will have two layers of plaster and a splint. These are not only for shaping your nose but also for protecting it. Do not touch or disturb these dressings; they will be removed by your doctor within a week.
7. The small tampon under your nose can be changed as needed (or removed and discarded if there is no bleeding).
8. Do not rub your nostrils or attempt to blow your nose. ‘Keep your hands away from your nose’ will be a good rule for you. Be cautious not to bump your nose. Avoid wearing clothes that button up from the front. Avoid T-shirts and turtlenecks.
9. Brush your teeth carefully and use only a soft toothbrush. Do not purse your lips or try to lift your upper lip more than necessary.
10. Avoid straining, bending, lifting heavy objects (especially your small children), vigorous exercises, and sports for two weeks after your surgery.
11. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight for one month.
12. When the dressings around your nose are removed, you will notice some swelling and color changes in the surrounding tissues. Your nose might look swollen and turned upwards, but this will naturally correct itself over time.
13. You might experience numbness at the tip of your nose and sometimes your upper lip. This will disappear within a few weeks.
14. After the tampons are removed, gently clean your nose 2-3 times a day using cotton swabs and tap water. Do not insert the cotton swab upwards into your nostril.
15. Even after the tampons are removed, your nose will feel congested. This is a normal tissue response to surgery. Refrain from blowing your nose for a week. When you need to sneeze or blow your nose, do so gently with both nostrils open. Avoid nasal sprays or drops. If you have to sneeze, do it with your mouth open.
16. Fatigue and weakness after using sedatives or anesthetics during your surgery are quite common. You will feel stronger within a day or two. Sometimes, you might experience insomnia. To alleviate this, you might be given sleeping pills for the first week.
17. It is not uncommon to experience depression 12 to 36 hours after surgery. The initial appearance of your nose after surgery might surprise you. Remember that you need to be patient and realistic. Your nose has undergone surgery and will improve significantly over time. Complete healing of your nose may take 6 to 12 months.
18. You can return to your normal work life after the dressings are removed (depending on the type of work you do). Makeup can be used to conceal minor bruises.
19. Make sure you attend all your post-operative appointments. These are necessary for your doctor to monitor your recovery, assess the progress of your nose, and take postoperative photos to evaluate changes in your nose’s appearance. Typically, post-operative appointments are scheduled for 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the surgery.
20. Avoid using glasses for two months unless it is absolutely necessary. Glasses can only be worn while the plaster is in place. After this period, they should be secured on your forehead with a piece of tape. You will be shown how to do this.”