Rhinoplasty Recovery

    HOUSTON, TX, February 26, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Rhinoplasty can give dramatic improvement if you are unhappy with the size or shape of your nose. However, if you are considering rhinoplasty it is crucial that you take recovery into account. This page contains some basic information about recovery from rhinoplasty to help you in deciding whether the procedure is right for you.

The Day of Surgery

Most rhinoplasties are performed under general anesthesia. When you awake from anesthesia, you will be monitored to ensure that you do not have any immediate signs of suffering from any of the significant adverse effects of general anesthesia. There are certain discharge criteria you must meet before you will be released to go home.

You will not be allowed to go home on your own--you will only be released to a responsible adult driver. You will be given explicit and detailed postoperative instructions. Because you may be too groggy to understand them, your driver will be given them as well, and they will be handed to you in writing.

When you get home, you should focus on recovery. Rest as much as you want. You should drink water to avoid dehydration, and if you feel hungry you should eat. Your driver or another responsible adult should stay with you the remainder of the day.

The First Week of Recovery

You will likely have a follow-up appointment the day after surgery. At this time, you surgeon will evaluate your dressings and likely change them. Some packing or other certain types of dressings will be removed. You will, however, likely have significant dressings, including a splint to protect your nose from injury.

At this point, you will have significant swelling and you may also have bruising around the eyes. You may experience significant postsurgical discomfort, but this should be controllable with medication. Take all medications as prescribed. Monitor yourself for signs of serious postsurgical complications, such as:

- Fever
- Localized hot spots
- Foul-smelling or colored discharge from the nose
- Elevated heart rate or chest pain

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your surgeon or go to the emergency room.

Full Recovery and Final Results

At the end of the first week, you will have another follow-up visit with your plastic surgeon. You will have most of your dressings removed. You will also likely be cleared to return to nonstrenuous activities. Bruising may persist, but can be covered with concealing makeup. Swelling will likely persist for months.

Because swelling persists, it may take six months to a year before you see the final results of your rhinoplasty. Once you see them, though, they are generally permanent.

To learn more about rhinoplasty, please visit the website of Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Haresh Yalamanchili at www.houstonfacialsurgeon.com.

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