The rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a “nose job,” is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed each year. There are countless reasons why people seek rhinoplasties, but they can typically be divided into two main categories: functional rhinoplasty and aesthetic rhinoplasty. As the central focal point of the face, the shape of the nose provides context in which the rest of the facial features are viewed and can either provide a pleasing balance to the overall face or cause an appearance of asymmetry or misbalance. The nose also plays an important role in breathing, so a rhinoplasty may also be indicated for functional reasons.

Whatever the reasons for your rhinoplasty, there are a few common factors you can expect during your recovery.

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The Days Following Your Procedure

Immediately after your Bellevue rhinoplasty procedure, Dr. Ridgway will place a splint and bandages to support your nose as it heals. Before you are sent home to begin the recovery process, you will be given detailed instructions regarding post-operative care and medications. A surgeon who is deeply committed to his patients, Dr. Ridgway will also call you at home the evening after your surgery to check in on your progress and ensure you are feeling okay.

During the initial phase of your recovery, you can expect to experience some bruising and swelling, though it will fade on its own within two weeks. To promote healing and minimize any discomfort, it’s important to keep your head elevated and relatively still during this time. Though the length of your recovery will vary depending on your unique circumstances, most patients are able to return to work within ten days.

Tips to Ease the Recovery Process

While you wait for your nose to heal and enjoy the final results of your rhinoplasty procedure, there are a few things you can do to stay as comfortable as possible and promote healing during the recovery procedure:

Avoid contact with your nose

In the days immediately following your nose surgery, you will experience swelling, and it is likely that you will feel congested. However, you should avoid the temptation to blow your nose, as doing so could disrupt the healing process, reopen the surgical wounds, and cause bleeding. You also might want to consider wearing button-front shirts for the first few days so that you don’t have to pull a shirt or sweater over your head, which would put pressure on your nose and be painful.

Avoid strenuous activities

As you recover from surgery, you’ll need to avoid bumping your nose and will want to avoid activities like contact sports for several weeks. You should also refrain from your regular exercise routine for the first couple of weeks. Exercising raises your blood pressure, which can cause drastically increased blood flow to your healing nose, potentially rupturing the wounds and causing heavy bleeding.

Keep your head elevated

This is especially important at night. Swelling is to be expected, but you’ll want to keep it down as much as possible. One way to do this is to keep your head elevated above the level of your heart so that gravity won’t pull as much of the blood flow to your nose. This can also help relieve the sensation of congestion and make sure fluids are draining properly during the healing process.

Use only the medication given to you by the doctor

Dr. Ridgway and his team will provide you with all the information you need to promote fast healing and help you remain as comfortable as possible following the procedure, including providing medication for pain management. Don’t use over-the-counter medication without talking to your doctor first – medications like aspirin and ibuprofen also act as blood thinners, which can cause excessive bleeding if used too early in the healing process.

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Rhinoplasty Treatment in Bellevue

At Ridgway Face & Aesthetic Center, we are proud to provide our clients with an exceptional level of care. When Dr. James M. Ridgway is your plastic surgeon in Bellevue, he will not only ensure that you are well informed about every step of your cosmetic process, but he will also stay in touch with you to ensure your ongoing comfort and monitor your recovery. Contact our office to schedule an appointment today.

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Schedule A Consultation

If you are ready to refresh and rejuvenate your look today, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of the best plastic surgeons Seattle has to offer: Dr. James M. Ridgway. During your private consultation Dr. Ridgway will carefully evaluate your face and the subtle imperfections that concern you most before providing you with a personalized blend of Bellevue cosmetic surgery procedures that will help you achieve your ideal facial appearance.

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