It is estimated that more than 200,000 rhinoplasty procedures are performed every year, which makes it one of the most common forms of plastic surgery. The surgery has become so popular with patients because it can enhance the appearance of the nose while also repairing any breathing issues. While the surgery can drastically improve the quality of your life, it still has a somewhat lengthy recovery period. These are our four best tips for rhinoplasty recovery to help you get back to normal as soon as possible.

Sleep in an Elevated Position

You will likely have a very hard time breathing through your nose shortly after undergoing the rhinoplasty. This stuffiness will get even worse when you try to lie down in bed, so sleeping in your normal position may be very difficult. The best way to relieve the pressure in your nose and clear the nasal passages is by keeping your head elevated at all times. Sleeping in a comfortable chair is the easiest way to pull this off, but you can also opt to add a few more pillows to the bed. The goal is to find any way to get a good night’s rest.

Ice Pack to Relieve Swelling

You can expect to see some swelling around the nose and eyes during your rhinoplasty recovery period. This is just a natural part of the body’s healing process. If you are worried about the way you look, then you can help reduce the swelling with ice packs. Make sure the eyes and nose get treated at the same time by placing the ice pack directly over the top of the nose. Remove the ice pack after about 20 minutes.

Drink Lots of Water

Drinking water is vitally important when attempting to recover from any surgery or illness. Staying hydrated helps the body heal at a faster rate. Try to consume at least eight cups of water every day while recovering from your rhinoplasty. It is very important to only drink water during your recovery because soda and other popular drinks can actually make you more dehydrated.

Do Not Smoke

While it is best for your health to avoid smoking at all times, it is even more important to put down the cigarettes during your rhinoplasty recovery. Smoking delays the natural healing process of the body. This means your swelling and pain will last a lot longer than normal. Your risk of developing an infection or other serious complication after the surgery will skyrocket when using cigarettes. Breathing in smoke also shrinks the sinuses, which will exacerbate your stuffiness.

If you have any additional questions about rhinoplasty recovery tips, you can speak with the educated staff at Smith Facial Plastics in Gahanna, Ohio. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!