No matter if your recent nose surgery was for functional or purely cosmetic reasons, the goal is a straightforward recovery without any complications. While Dr. Smith knows his patients are eager to see their final results, he stresses patience with these recoveries.

Your initial recovery will take two weeks or more, although you will have some residual swelling for a few weeks. Here are some tips for a successful, speedy recovery from this intricate cosmetic procedure:

• Limit facial muscle movements— This sounds obvious, but during your recovery you need to limit things such as laughing and smiling (only hang out with your more boring friends!). Be careful not to open your mouth too wide. Keep your nose from stretching too much or from being hit. Opt for food that is easy to chew; postpone having foods like steak that require more chewing.
• Protect your nose from the sun— While it may be tempting to lie in our South Carolina sun after you’ve been cooped up in the house, that’s not a good idea. Unprotected sun exposure can cause permanent discoloration in your nose after rhinoplasty. Apply 30+ spf sunscreen and wear protective clothing. You don’t want “a little sun” — your nose doesn’t want any.
• Choose the right clothes— During recovery, choose clothes that won’t possibly have physical contact with the nose area. Also, don’t wear sunglasses or reading glasses. If you need regular glasses tape them above your bridge. Avoid tops that must be pulled over your head, such as sweaters and t-shirts. Button-up shirts are your best choice as you recover, as they minimize nose movement and possible bumping while dressing.
• Keep the exercise light— You may be tempted to get back to hardcore exercise soon as a way to help deal with the boredom of recovery, but you can’t. You need to opt for lighter workouts that restrict up-and-down movement. Also, don’t participate in sports that put you at risk of hitting your nose. Lastly, your nose will feel tender during recovery, which makes swimming, diving, and similar exercise a temporary no-no until you’re fully healed.

With patience and attention, gracefully recovering from rhinoplasty is not difficult. Dr. Smith will explain the best practices for your recovery, so that you will be pleased with your new nose for the rest of your life. Call our team at (843) 705-8940 with any questions you may have about nose surgery, or to schedule a consultation.