Rhinoplasty Aftercare

You will undergo your surgery at Adnova, in one of two specialist day surgery operating theatres. You will be asleep, under general anaesthetic. The surgery itself will take between 2 to 4 hours, depending upon the complexity. Following the surgery, you will need to be observed for a few hours, only being discharged when you are fully ready.

Southampton Cosmetic Rhinoplasty | Mr Tim Biggs

Post-operative Treatments

Nasal wash

You will be given a salt water nasal wash to flush the nose and rinse away secretions and blood following the surgery. There are many videos on YouTube/online showing how this can be done. This should be started gently at first. It should be started the day after the operation and used twice daily.

Steroid drops

You will be given a bottle of steroid nasal drops to place in both nostrils twice a day, to be used immediately after flushing the nose with the nasal wash. These can be placed with the head tilted back and will help reduce the internal swelling following the surgery.

Clinisept+

You will be given an antiseptic spray to use twice a day. This can be sprayed on the disolvable sutures at the bottom of the nose, to keep them clean and prevent any infection. Please spray this following the nasal wash and steroid drops.

Oral antibiotics

You will be provided with a prescription of oral antibiotics to take following the surgery for a period of 7 days. The full course should be completed. They are to prevent post-operative infection. I normally use penicllin, but can use an alternative if you have a history of antibiotic reactions in the past.

Recovery

After undergoing Rhinoplasty, it's important to be prepared for the recovery process

Swelling and Bruising: Expect some swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes, which may peak within the first few days after surgery and gradually subside over the following weeks. Using cold compresses and keeping the head elevated can help reduce swelling and discomfort. For the first few days sleep on your back with a few pillows to prop yourself up with.

Pain and Discomfort: Mild to moderate pain and discomfort are common following Rhinoplasty. You will be given co-codamol to go home with, which contains paracetamol. Use it as required, but not more than 4 times in 24 hours. Ibuprofen can be used with the co-codamol, if you need additonal pain relief.

Nasal Packing or Splints: I do not use any form of nasal packing following the surgery, so you will be able to breathe through the nose as soon as you wake up.

Nasal Congestion: You may experience nasal congestion or difficulty breathing through your nose initially due to swelling, which normally starts 6-12 hours after the surgery. This is normal and should improve as the swelling subsides. Try not to blow the nose in the first week after the surgery, as it may cause bleeding. Some nasal bleeding after surgery is very common. An ice pack on the forehead can be used if this is bothersome. Try to use the nasal wash to clear the nose regularly.

I use dissolvable sutures in the nose. These will slowly breakdown in the weeks following the surgery.

Follow-up Appointments: I will schedule an initial post-operative appointment 7-14 days following your surgery, dependent on the type of surgery you undergo. This will be to examine your nose and remove your external tapes and nasal splint. You will then be reviewed at 3 months.

Activity Restrictions: Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and bending over during the initial recovery period to minimise the risk of complications and promote proper healing. You can build up to your normal activities 2-3 weeks following the surgery. Avoid contact sports for 3 months.

Final Results: It's important to understand that the final results of Rhinoplasty may not be fully visible until several months after surgery, once the swelling has completely subsided and the tissues have settled into their new shape.

Overall, following your post-operative care instructions closely and allowing yourself time to rest and heal are key to achieving optimal results from Rhinoplasty.