Does Rhinoplasty Hurt?

Many patients think that rhinoplasty procedures are very painful due to the swelling and bruising that occur mainly after the surgery. Is this really true?

Is a Nose Job Very Painful?

The answer is “no.” This process is only done with the patient under general anesthesia, so he feels nothing. How much pain or discomfort he may feel or have after anesthesia differs from person to person and is influenced by some things.

• pain threshold;
• the complexity of plastic surgery;
• the nature and number of incisions and manipulations with the tissues of the nose.

Patients generally complain that the discomfort after rhinoplasty is rather easily tolerated and, as a rule, lasts only 2-3 days. If a patient does not feel well, a doctor prescribes additional painkillers to help a person get through the rehabilitation period.

On the day of surgery and the following day, there will be a scarlet fluid discharge from the nostrils and a soaked gauze bandage at the front of the nose with blood. Please do not worry; it is quite normal and associated with the healing of internal seams. Moreover, swelling of the nostrils increases the pain and makes breathing quite difficult. Ice packs applied directly after the surgery to the nose and around the eyes help reduce swelling.

The next day after surgery, upon discharge, it is very important to continue making compresses with ice, alternately 15 minutes compress, and 30 minutes rest. If the rehabilitation proceeds in the standard mode, silicone splints are removed from the nasal passages on the second or third day after the operation.

Within 2-3 days, a sore throat often appears when swallowing. Persistent dry mouth is caused by impaired nasal breathing due to swelling. This condition quickly passes within a few days.

Follow all the medical advice given by the doctors and taking your medicines on time. There are mainly five types of medications: antibiotics, painkillers, antihistamines, ointments, and nose sprays.

Is Getting Rhinoplasty Worth It?

If you have reasons for a nose job or factors that disturb you, it is worth getting rhinoplasty. 

The first reason is a medical condition for a nose job, which occurs in 20% of plastic surgery patients. A crooked septum, nasal diseases, and more make breathing difficult. The patient cannot smell, has frequent headaches, and finds exercising very difficult. Surgery that returns healthy breathing is called septoplasty. During this treatment, the plastic surgeon operates on the nasal septum and restores its functional properties.

The second reason is aesthetic complaints about the nose. The nose is the main organ on the human face, on which the harmony of distances depends. The most frequent aesthetic problems are the following:

• A hump at the nose
• Too wide nostrils
• Too fat nose
• Nose that is too long
• Asymmetric nose
• Saddle nose
• A hooked nose (thicker nasal tip). 

The very purpose of a plastic surgeon ought to be to create an aesthetically pleasing nose. Not a small and not a big one. Not a puppet or “unnatural” nose, but harmonious and correct.

Preparation and Recovery Tips

Appropriate preparation for rhinoplasty makes a lot of difference in the recovery stage. Here are some tips that help you have a smooth procedure and recovery time:=

• Consultation with the surgeon. Share your expectations and concerns with the surgeon. The management of most of the anxiety is very useful for planning the surgery.
• Medical history. It is important to provide the complete medical history of the medications taken currently. It helps in avoiding complications during and after surgery.
• Instructions before having surgery. Make sure to follow all pre-operative instructions given by your surgeon before surgery, especially avoiding certain medications that may affect blood clotting and arranging a ride home.
• Living a healthy life. If possible, embrace healthy living before surgery. Good nutrition, staying hydrated, and avoiding smoking all aid in the natural ability to heal very much.

Post-Operative Care

After the nose job, you should follow these guidelines:

Rest

Get enough rest. Your body requires time to recover, so avoid strenuous workouts for at least two weeks following the surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Elevate Your Head

Sleep with your head propped up using pillows. This can reduce the swelling and facilitate the drainage of fluid from the nose and face area to the maximum extent possible.

Hydration and Nutrition

It is important to prioritize staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet. Refrain from consuming salty foods, as they can exacerbate swelling.

Avoid Blowing Your Nose

Blowing the nose is one of the major things to avoid immediately after rhinoplasty. It causes bleeding and disturbs healing. If you really must sneeze, opening your mouth will help alleviate some of the pressure from the nose area.

Common Myths about Rhinoplasty

Here are some of the misapprehensions associated with rhinoplasty, which may cause undue anxiety:

• “Rhinoplasty is Only for Vanity.” Many people turn to rhinoplasty for medical reasons, such as correcting the deviation of the septum or repair after some injury.
• “The Results Look Fake.” When performed by a skillful surgeon, rhinoplasty results are amazingly natural. The goal is to create harmony with the features of the patient’s face.
• “It’s Only for the Young.” Rhinoplasty can be performed on any adult at any age, provided that the individuals to whom this shall be applied are healthy. Age need not be an issue in one’s attempt to improve his quality of life or self-esteem.

How To Make a Nose Job Going Smoothly?

You rightly understood that there is no intolerable pain after rhinoplasty. Nevertheless, the patient experiences some discomfort after surgery from the nasal tampons and the bandage on the face.

The plastic surgeon will suggest specific medications to help minimize your pain and discomfort. Only in case you feel extreme pain and your body temperature rises over 38 degrees, you should look for consultation from Dr. Kadir after rhinoplasty in Istanbul. The same consultation is required in case of prolonged bruising and swelling afterward the nose job.