How to Recover faster from Rhinoplasty South Africa

Nose surgery in Cape Town can seem daunting, mainly due to the perception that recovery from rhinoplasty can be both time consuming and painful. Although the recovery for rhinoplasty in Cape Town will require rest and recuperation, the process is not as daunting as it may appear. Those who undergo rhinoplasty are often eager to see the final results faster than possible, as the full healing process will only be completed around the one year mark. However, during this period there are steps to take that may speed up the recovery and ensure that you heal as best as possible. 

Below we will discuss tips and tricks to recover faster from rhinoplasty in South Africa.  

 

Rhinoplasty in Cape Town will leave patients with quite a bit of swelling, so it is imperative to try and reduce the swelling as much as possible. Using an ice pack can help alleviate puffiness and pressure around the treated area and reduce swelling. Applying an ice pack will restrict blood flow to the treated area and will reduce the swelling to allow for the nose to heal faster. The first 72 hours are when you should ice the treated area as much as possible, as this will aid in reducing the swelling. Be careful not to apply too much pressure to the nose but rather focus on the areas around the nose to avoid shifting any bones or cartilage. 

 

As with all plastic surgery in Cape Town, we strongly advise our patients to avoid direct exposure to the sun and avoid all forms of nicotine and smoke exposure. It is crucial to protect your skin from the sun at all times, but have greater vigilance after nose surgery. The nose is more prone to sunburn after rhinoplasty and any form of sun damage may lead to scarring and greater swelling. Any form of nicotine intake can be damaging both before and after plastic surgery, as nicotine limits blood flow. Which may lead to complications in surgery and create difficulty for the body to heal during recovery. 

 

 

Unless specifically prescribed by your surgeon, stay away from anti-inflammatory medication. This includes aspirin and medications containing aspirin, as well as Ibuprofen. We also advise our patients to refrain from taking any of the following; Warfarin, Heparin, Xarelto, Vitamin E, St. John’s Wort, Garlic supplements, green tea or green tea extracts, Estrogen supplements, Omega 3 oils or fish oils of any sorts. All the medications mentioned above may lead to swelling and increase blood flow which could result in increased bleeding or a slowed recovery.

 

The bandages and splints put in place after rhinoplasty should not get wet. Bathing instead of showering is highly recommended as it makes it easier to prevent the bandages from getting wet. Wash your face with a damp cloth around your nose to keep the rest of your face clean and try to avoid washing your hair for as long as possible. The bandages and splint are usually removed after the first 7 days post-op, so this routine will not last for too long and we advise taking extra precautions to allow you to heal as fast as possible. 

 

Lastly, listen to your doctor and follow the guidelines they give you as they truly know what is best for your specific recovery. All patients will heal differently and your doctor will know what is right for you. You may read 50 blog posts about nose surgery recovery but nothing will compare to the information that your surgeon will provide. 

 

Rhinoplasty in Cape Town will have a different recovery process for each patient, but from the moment you have your first consultation with us at Plastic Surgery SA Clinic, our expert surgeon Dr.Lionel Jedeikin, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon will guide you through the entire process and ensure that you leave feeling informed, excited and relaxed about the surgery. If you have any further queries or concerns about rhinoplasty in South Africa, please do not hesitate to contact us on +27 21 423-2085 or via our online contact form: https://plasticsurgerysa.co.za/contact_us