Recovery

The recovery following revision rhinoplasty is generally described by most patients as a bit easier than they had expected it to be. During surgery, Dr. Mehta is diligent about continuously applying crushed ice in a sterile glove to the patient’s eyes, nose and forehead, to reduce bruising and swelling. Afterwards, patients awaken with a white splint and tape on the bridge of the nose, as well as a few sutures underneath the nose when an open approach is used. Dr. Mehta does not place any packing in the nose for the vast majority (>95%) of patients. In cases in which the patient has had a prior septoplasty, a perforation repair, or a severely deviated septum, Doyle splints are placed for one week after surgery. These are hollow tubes with a flat portion that sits up against the septum, stabilizing it while allowing the patient to breathe through his/her nose.

Most patients require pain medication such as Vicodin for the first 203 days and then switch to Tylenol. The splint and sutures are typically removed on day 6 or 7 after the procedure and patients look socially acceptable by anywhere from day 7-10 in most cases. Application of ice for 15-20 minutes every hour for the first 2-3 days, elevation of the head, and taking supplements such as arnica Montana and bromelain are recommended. Vigorous exercise can be resumed 2 weeks after surgery and contact sports after 6-8 weeks.

For more details about the recovery following revision rhinoplasty, contact us.