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Rhinoplasty (nasal surgery) is one of the most delicate, yet rewarding surgeries Dr. Holcomb performs and one of the most dramatically life-enhancing for his patients. Patients frequently experience a boost in their self esteem and in their overall sense of well being, having their nose reshaped to more aesthetically fit and balance their face and to have their breathing improved which helps the whole body feel and function better!

The first week post rhinoplasty is a time to plan to truly rest, recover and delegate work and childcare to others. It is not uncommon to feel a bit tired having likely undergone general anesthesia during the procedure. Remember, your body is healing from delicate surgery on one of your airways and post surgical swelling and compresses left inside the nose the first few days can temporarily further diminish your breathing and energy levels.

Having just undergone surgery which has reshaped both the outside and inside of your nose, it is vital that you vigilantly protect it during this crucial first phase of healing. You must avoid sustaining any bumps or impacts that might possibly “undo” the corrections that have just been made. Obviously, contact sports are to be avoided. If you wear glasses we will show you how to manage them over your splint. And, as difficult as it may sound, you will need to make arrangements ahead of time for the care of small children who you should not lift or hold in your lap where they may be tempted to grab or touch your nose during this initial healing phase.

Many patients prefer the comforts of home and being out of the public eye that first week while they rest. Splints (tiny ones carefully placed inside and a larger one taped to the outside of your nose) will be in place that first week to reinforce the new framework, helping to secure your nose’s improved shape and function. Splints are customarily removed on the 7th day, when we will see you for your highly anticipated “unveiling” appointment. Some additional swelling is normal after the removal of the splints which will gradually subside over the ensuing weeks and months.

After this 1-week “unveililng” most patients are starting to feel more like themselves and are eager to begin easing back into their social and work environments. You must, however, continue to avoid impacts to the nose and avoid lifting and exertion that could elevate your heart rate and precipitate a nosebleed. It is also important for at least the first 2 weeks to avoid altitude changes (flying). Scuba diving and snorkeling take quite a while longer to return to, as their required masks involve applied pressure around the nose that must be avoided until healing of the treated structures is secure. It can take a full year or more for your nose to fully heal and settle in to its new shape.

It sounds like a lot of “no’s” for those first two weeks, but testimonies from our patients about the life-changing results of rhinoplasty speak to how far and away “worth it” every ounce of prevention is for the resulting cure!

Dr. Holcomb is a board certified Head and Neck Surgeon and board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon whose extensive training, skill and experience make him a sought-after expert for both first-time rhinoplasties to correct both the shape and/or function of the nose and for revising nasal surgeries that did not quite fulfill the patient’s expectations in either form or function. Please visit his “before and after” gallery on the website for more. www.SRQFPS.com.