What should I expect whilst recovering from a rhinoplasty?

Most rhinoplasty procedures are performed with the plan of an overnight stay in hospital.

In the first 24 hours, it is normal to expect:-

•    Drowsiness
•    Dry throat
•    Nausea (possibly)
•    Discomfort and stiffness

The local anaesthetic helps with pain control for the first evening, but has usually worn off by the following morning. Regularly taking paracetamol and anti inflammatories for the first few days after the operation is important in minimising your discomfort and need for stronger pain killers.

You will wake up with a splint on your nose that needs to remain in place until your first review at about one week after the operation. Most patients will also have splints on the inside of their nose, which also need to stay in place for the first week after the operation.

Once you are comfortable moving around your room, you will be discharged home with a prescription for pain relief and antibiotics.

There is some social down time after a rhinoplasty procedure, where you will not want to be in the general public or having photographs taken at events. Most people can return to an office job within a week or two.

Gently walking is the only exercise you should plan on doing for the first few weeks, and it will take about four weeks before you will feel well enough to return to the gym or restart running. Your body will tell you (pain) if you are trying too soon.

You will be asked to see Dr Gavin Sandercoe for follow up at one week, one month and every three months for a year after your operation. Some procedures may require longer follow up. If there are any problems, we want to hear from you and sort it out as soon as possible!