Rhinoplasty Recovery in Beverly Hills

Rhinoplasty, a minimally invasive operation to change the size and shape of the external nose only, generally has a prompt recovery period. Since the operation is performed only on cartilage and bone and not within any major body cavity there is little influence on any of the major body functions. Typically there is some swelling and some bruising which maximizes at 48 hours and then diminishes over the next 5-7 days.

Typically if there have been nasal packs placed at the time of surgery they are removed 1-2 days after a routine rhinoplasty provided no surgery has been performed on a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or sinuses. An external splint placed to protect the nose from inadvertent injury is typically removed on the fifth day. Between the fifth and tenth day is when there is the greatest chance of bleeding, and therefore patients are advised to refrain from strenuous activity. After ten days, the chance of having a significant nose bleed diminishes greatly. Patients in Los Angeles are advised to refrain from blowing their nose until ten days after surgery, as well as working in an occupation which might cause the blood pressure to go up such as one involving significant manual labor. There is a correlation between the amount of bruising and swelling, and patient exertion after nasal surgery in Hollywood. When patients exert themselves through work or recreation the blood pressure stays higher driving additional blood into the tissues and causing bruising.

Patients are advised to maintain a reduced work schedule after surgery. Generally, cosmetic plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills provide pain medications, anti-swelling medications as well as whatever anti-bruising medications may seem appropriate. All this is designed to reduce the signs of the surgery but of course these have no influence on the ultimate outcome.

From my own experience as a patient, I felt quite good beginning the day after surgery. I had very little pain and in fact never took a pain pill. The next day I felt no need to remain in bed and actually was up and about. I was back seeing patients and operating one week after my procedure with very little residual swelling.

Be advised that maturation of the nose following surgery takes place over a period of months, so during that period of time, the nose becomes more refined as the last residual swelling dissipates. While the nose looks good at 10 to 14 days, it looks even better at one month, better at two months and even better at three to six to twelve months. Certainly by the tenth to fourteenth day there are no visible signs of the surgery and people are free to resume their normal social, business and sports activities.

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