When you eventually decide to go through with your rhinoplasty in Toronto, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure that you can enjoy your results and prevent any complications. This is why it’s crucial to know what to anticipate and what to avoid during your experience to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Rhinoplasty is ultimately a cosmetic or functional plastic surgical technique that adjusts the size, shape, or proportions of the nose. Our rhinoplasty surgeon in Toronto may alter the structure of the bone, cartilage, or skin in the nose area during the procedure to create beautiful and flawless results.
It’s critical to be open about your expectations so that the surgeon can organize the process around your objectives. Before approving a treatment, our physicians at Visage Clinic – and any other surgeons for that matter – will sit down with the patient and discuss the procedure thoroughly so you’re aware of every small detail.
We’ve created this article to explain what to expect after surgery and what you should avoid doing in the days and weeks after surgery. While recovering, it is important to stay away from certain activities in order to guarantee that your results come out the way you want them to and to prevent any risks that might jeopardize your results in the long term. Continue reading to get started…
Overall Rhinoplasty Surgery Process In Toronto
Rhinoplasty is often done under general anesthesia and takes around two and a half hours. Unless there are health-related issues that must be monitored, most patients are allowed to return home the same day as their procedure. Your plastic surgeon will give you a list of medications to take to help you cope with the pain, avoid infection, and guarantee a speedy recovery. You’ll also be given a set of instructions to follow throughout the recovery procedure.
Following a nose surgery, you’ll be instructed to rest in bed with your head lifted higher than your chest to decrease swelling and bleeding. Most patients have nasal congestion as a consequence of the swelling or the splints that are placed inside their nose during surgery. Before the surgeon removes the internal dressings and splint, they must be left in place for roughly 7 days.
Things To Avoid After Your Surgery
Following is a list of things to avoid doing following your Toronto rhinoplasty surgery. Avoiding these basic mistakes can help you heal quickly and get the greatest possible outcomes from your procedure.
Don’t Exercise Excessively
Patients who have had rhinoplasty in Toronto are sometimes so happy that they attempt to take care of domestic chores or return to work and exercise sooner than they should. Following your procedure, you’ll be given certain activity limits to follow, and it’s critical that you do so.
Bending over, aerobic activities, lifting anything heavy, swimming, and any other action that elevates blood pressure are some quick examples.
Increased blood flow to the face may result in unwelcome bleeding and will almost certainly result in increased facial puffiness. As a result, you will be significantly more uncomfortable and the healing process will take longer.
Sweating or engaging in any vigorous exercise puts your nose and incisions at far greater danger.
It’s also necessary to stop your gym membership for the time being.
Wear Sunscreen
You may be aware that UV exposure may permanently discolor scars. Aside from that, any inflammatory tissue that is exposed to the sun’s rays might burn and cause hyperpigmentation.
To protect your nose during the first few weeks following rhinoplasty in Toronto, wear a brimmed hat and remain in the shade. In the long term, you’ll need to keep an eye on your sunscreen application and to re-apply as needed.
Wear Hats Not Sunglasses
Sunglasses, like ordinary eyeglasses, are not allowed to be worn for the first month after surgery. When outdoors, avoid putting strain on your bridge since it might create indentations or damage; instead, wear contact lenses or other kinds of shade. You can also wear hats to cover your face from the sun.
Bumping Or Touching Your Neck
It’s natural to feel compelled to touch the area. You may feel inclined to push on the tip of your nose since it feels numb, but don’t. Playing any sport, as well as spending time in busy, dynamic areas such as dance clubs or concerts, will be prohibited for the time being as well.
When individuals move about in unpredictable ways, the chance of getting an elbow or a ball in the face is just too great. Even clothing that pulls over your head is not recommended in the first few weeks following rhinoplasty in Toronto. To prevent harming yourself, stock up on button-up and zip-up shirts. Whether you inadvertently bump your nose, call your surgeon right away to see if there’s a problem so they can correct it right away.
Don’t Lie Down On Your Back
Laying down on your back, side, or front should be completely avoided during the healing and recovery phase. Gravity’s impacts on edema and pressure exacerbate the situation. If you fall asleep flat on your back, you may wake up bloated and in a lot more pain than you were before.
To support your neck and shoulders, raise the whole top of your mattress to about a 35-degree angle, then use firm cushions and even an airplane pillow.
Do Not Smoke Or Consume Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol isn’t recommended for at least the first week and as long as you’re on pain medication. Because it may thin your blood, making you more prone to bleeding, and it may interfere with your prescriptions, it’s best to avoid it. Nicotine reduces blood flow, which is necessary for healing.
Makeup Application
Some patients, particularly women, may feel compelled to cover up the bruises around their nose and eyes with cosmetics. Stay away from any cosmetic products or makeup for the first two weeks following your rhinoplasty to let your nose recover. Makeup that is applied to healing skin might cause difficulties and increase your risk of infection.
Sexual Activity
Although it may seem strange, many rhinoplasty doctors advise that you limit your sexual activities for the first three weeks after surgery. This is recommended to avoid hazardous blood clots from developing. This also avoids strenuous activity and possibly bumping your nose on something.
Blowing Your Nose
When you have an allergy, a cold, or the flu virus, you will need to blow your nose. Because this may be very harmful for individuals who have just had a rhinoplasty, you should wash your hands often and avoid contact with anybody who may be unwell.
Some patients choose to take a hand sanitizer with them so that they may destroy germs in their immediate surroundings. Take the best possible care of yourself during the first few weeks of your recuperation to avoid contracting an illness.
Foods That Are Hard Or Chewy
Foods that require a lot of chewing should be avoided. Fruits like apples and pears, as well as fresh vegetables like carrots, should be avoided. Gums and steaks, which impose a lot of pressure on the jaw, may also be hazardous.
Foods that should be avoided
The meals you should avoid have just as much of an influence as the ones you should consume.
Good eating is a great place to start when it comes to rehabilitation, but even healthy meals may create issues early on: This includes the following:
- Spicy Foods: Eating spicy foods has several health advantages, including the reduction of inflammation. It may, however, produce nausea in the first 24 hours following anesthesia. To prevent sickness or adverse effects, it’s preferable to wait at least a week.
- Foods high in sodium or salt: Sodium or salt may cause edema and slow recovery. It’s better to avoid high-sodium diets for the time being if you want to recover quickly.
- Tobacco use: Tobacco use may harm your throat and nose. You are particularly sensitive to this harm after surgery. Vaping and e-cigarettes may also be harmful to your health and are not appropriate during this period of recovery. If you can’t seem to get rid of your nicotine cravings, talk to your doctor about patches and other alternatives.
- Meals that are difficult to chew: As previously stated, hard, chewy, or crunchy foods may cause pain or injury early in the healing process. Allow at least one week before resuming these sorts of snacks or meals.
You don’t have to give up your favorite meals forever, but we suggest waiting until the swelling has gone down entirely before returning to these types of foods.
If swelling or pain returns, hold off on the aggravating foods for a bit longer to ensure a full recovery. Continue to keep an eye out for signs of infection, unusual bleeding, re-injury, or severe discomfort. If you have any of these problems while recovering, please make sure to contact your Toronto surgeon to prevent any additional issues.
Wait Till The End Of Your Recovery To Judge Your Results
After the procedure, it might take up to a year to see the complete, final effects. For many individuals, the wait is excruciating. The majority of your edema will go away within the first month or two, so you may think you’re done at that point. Remember that persistent swelling in the sensitive tip and soft tissues of the nose may last for months. When your surgeon gives you the green light, you’ll have a stunning before and after to show off.
Your Post-Rhinoplasty Recovery
The recovery process is normally the same for most patients in Toronto. You will be given a care sheet as well as pain meds after your rhinoplasty surgery treatment.
You’ll also need a chauffeur for the day, who might be a friend or family member. After the anesthetics wear off, you’ll likely feel confused, sleepy, and even dizzy or nauseated. During this period, take your prescription pain medicine exactly as suggested and don’t skip any doses. Remember that your body’s healing depends on it being rested and calm, so don’t add to the stress by being uncomfortable or in pain.
During the first several days of your recuperation, get lots of rest. Your body will be able to mend correctly as a result of this. You can expect some swelling and stiffness, as well as redness and bruising.
Contact Dr. DuPéré for help if any of these symptoms change, worsen, or become bothersome to you. Above all, for the greatest healing outcomes, please follow your surgeon’s recommendations. By avoiding the products listed below, you may assist to ensure that your nose looks and feels its best.
Preparing for rhinoplasty, like any other surgery, may be nerve-wracking. However, knowing that you’ve chosen the appropriate plastic surgeon may set your mind at rest. Dr. DuPéré is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has specialized in this field for over 20 years and has a wealth of expertise and knowledge to share with his patients. Have any other questions? Reach out directly to our Toronto team and we would be happy to help!