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Is it gonna hurt? Rhinoplasty Recovery
In the days following surgery, you may feel stuffed up, like you have a bad cold. This happens, in part as a result of the swelling. This can, to some degree be relieved by applying ice to the nose. Many people who have had nose jobs recommend using a bag of frozen vegetables, like peas, because it will easily mold to your face. If your nose is packed (with surgical gauze), the ice pack may feel good, but will not in fact help you breathe easier. Rest assured you will be able to breathe again when the packing is removed at the first post-surgery office visit.You will also likely experience the same kinds of bruising that you would see with a broken nose. This generally includes a darkening around the eyes, and cheekbones, and bruising around the nose. Some patients may see swelling move into the skin above their lower lip. These bruises, and the swelling that accompanies them, may start fairly pale and then darken in the first few days after cosmetic surgery. This is actually a sign of healing and is not a cause for concern. Drainage of blood and mucus down the nasal passages and into the stomach can leave you feeling kind of nauseous, as can the after effects of anesthesia, so don’t be surprised if you spend the first 24 to 48 hrs feeling sick at your stomach, and maybe vomiting. Unfortunately there is no great way to appease these feelings of generally yuckiness. Try to sleep as much as you can, when you can, until these symptoms pass. Finally, some patients report cotton mouth, most likely as the result of breathing through the mouth. This can be relieved by chewing gum, and making sure you get enough to drink, and should subside as the swelling goes down, or the packing is removed. |