You did it. After months, maybe years of debate, you have finally taken the step to have your nose reshaped by the surgical artistry of rhinoplasty. At last, you will have a more proportionate nose, skillfully tailored to complement your other unique features. But before you can bask in the big reveal, you have to make it through that brief, unglamourous, peskier phase, characterized by visible side effects.
In the immediate week following a rhinoplasty procedure, it is expected that patients will experience some facial swelling and bruising. However, post-surgical discoloration and inflammation does not have to mean you have to become house-bound. As your body mends, it is normal to feel self-conscious, but there are ways to avoid putting your life on hold. Here are some tips to get you through the initial week:
As eager as we may be to see instant results from a cosmetic procedure, we have to allow time for the body to naturally reconstruct itself. Quite simply, the nose needs to adjust and settle into its new, face-balancing contour. It is important to remember that the short period of swelling and bruising is negligible relative the permanent aesthetic improvement you will enjoy. So, relax, focus on healing, and look ahead to having a nose that will be in greater harmony with the rest of your face.
Written by Dr. Halaas