Rhinoplasty, known to some as a nose job, is one of the most popular procedures performed at the office of Dr. Gregory E Rauscher, M.D. in Hackensack, NJ. If you are in the New Jersey area and on the fence about surgery due to concerns about recovery, keep reading to discover everything you need to know, including how long the recovery takes and how you can speed it up.
How Long Is Recovery After Rhinoplasty?
Your rhinoplasty recovery timeline depends on a multitude of factors, including your overall health, age, and adherence to recovery guidelines. Generally, you can expect to need a week off from work if you have an office job or three to six weeks off if you have a physically demanding job. However, it typically takes around a year to recover from surgery fully.
What Can I Do To Recover From Surgery Faster?
Use Cold Compresses
Using cold compresses during the first 72 hours of your recovery is one of the best things you can do to make your recovery go as smoothly as possible. Just make sure that you apply the compress to your cheeks rather than directly to your nose.
Rest As Much as Possible
You can also help yourself speed up your recovery by resting as much as you can. Ideally, you should get 7.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep or more each night. If you wake up in the middle of the night, try to determine the cause and avoid the situation in the future. For instance, you should stop drinking water within a couple of hours of bedtime if you frequently wake up to urinate. Napping during the day is also beneficial.
Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables
If you want to recover from your rhinoplasty as quickly as possible, it is important to keep your body nourished. Therefore, you should aim to get your RDA of essential micronutrients, like vitamin C and zinc. Your body also needs several amino acids from bioavailable protein sources to produce collagen and heal itself. When planning your meals, consider including protein-rich veggies, like:
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Brussels sprouts
- Asparagus
- Artichokes
- Sweet potatoes
- Potatoes
Avoid Strenuous Physical Activities
Most people should avoid strenuous physical activities for six weeks post-op. Each client is unique, so we will advise you on whether you can resume your usual workout routine during your follow-up appointment six weeks after surgery. You may need to wait a couple more weeks to ease back into your routine.
Avoid Wearing Glasses
You also should avoid wearing glasses during the early stages of your recovery process. Prescription glasses, sunglasses, and cheaters can put too much pressure on the bridge of your nose, negatively affecting your recovery. In some cases, too much pressure can negatively affect your results.
It is okay to wear glasses during the first one to three days after your procedure due to the hard, protective splint protecting the bridge of your nose as it heals. Once that splint is removed, ideally, you should wear corrective contact lenses. If you can’t wear contacts, you should get glasses with light frames or special post-surgery glasses that will not harm you.
Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage
Minimizing your exposure to direct sunlight during your recovery will also help you heal faster. The UV radiation emitted by the sun damages the collagen in your skin that is required for healing. It can also cause other problems during your recovery. When going outdoors during the day, make sure you wear a brimmed hat or visor or carry an umbrella to avoid direct sunlight. Also, wear highly protective sunscreen.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Nose Job?
To determine if you are a good rhinoplasty candidate, you need to meet with a qualified New Jersey surgeon who can evaluate your health, concerns, and goals. You should qualify if you are in good overall health and can stop taking certain medications if they will affect your procedure or recovery. You also should have realistic expectations about the results of surgery.
An ideal candidate for this procedure is a non-smoker who is concerned about the appearance or functionality of their nose. However, if you can stop smoking for two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery, you may qualify. Additionally, you must be able to follow other preparation guidelines to be considered a good fit for this procedure.
What Other Preparation Steps Must I Take?
Another important preparation step to take before surgery is to avoid drinking alcohol for two weeks. Furthermore, you should ensure that you have someone to drive you home after your procedure.
Schedule Your Evaluation in New Jersey Today
You should not be surprised if it takes you a year to recover from a nose job completely. However, depending on the nature of your work, you should only need to take one to six weeks off work for the initial post-surgery recovery period. To learn more about this procedure, contact us today at the office of Dr. Gregory E Rauscher, M.D. in Hackensack, NJ to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gregory Rauscher, named “Top Doctor” in New Jersey.