The question that a lot of people ask when they are considering rhinoplasty surgery is, “Is Rhinoplasty Painful?” Believe it or not, the answer can be a simple “no”. This is especially true if you have a good surgeon performing your cosmetic surgery. The reason for this is that rhinoplasty is actually one of the most minor surgical procedures that can be done on a person’s nose.
Your surgeon will take x-rays and perform a thorough exam to determine if there are any problems with your nose. If there are problems, then he or she will go ahead with the rhinoplasty procedure to correct them. The majority of patients do not experience any discomfort after their nose job is performed. What you may experience is some minor swelling and bruising around your eyes, and possibly a bit of difficulty breathing at first.
Most nose surgery patients do not need to stay in the hospital following their procedure. Your surgeon will give you an accurate recovery schedule after the operation and will post it with your doctor. You may experience some soreness or slight bruising after your procedure, but these are both typically gone within a few weeks. Most people will not experience much discomfort during the recovery period, either. In fact, your nose surgery may even seem like a little lighter procedure than you remember.
Rhinoplasty patients are typically advised to wear a nose ring for a few days after their procedure. This helps prevent swelling and any associated complications from occurring. Be sure to follow the doctors’ instructions about wearing your nose ring. You will also want to make sure that you are completely healed before getting back to your normal activities, although you may be able to go back to work a few days after your procedure.
One of the most common complications after rhinoplasty is a slow or abnormal gagging. Because your nasal bones were lengthened during the surgery, they will now sit on your throat when you take a breath. If the nasal bones sit crookedly, they can push your airway open. This means that you will begin to experience what is called snoring, where the sound of your own breath vibrates through your mouth and causes a choking sensation. Some people also experience difficulty swallowing food and will vomit after eating certain foods.
There are several medications that you can take after your rhinoplasty, including over-the-counter pain medications and anti-anxiety medications. These can help you to feel better immediately after the procedure. However, if your discomfort continues for more than a few days or if you experience severe symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or chest pain, it is important to contact your surgeon for advice. The good news is that most cases of post-operative discomfort can be treated using over-the-counter medications. But if your discomfort persists or gets worse, you may need to see a doctor in order to obtain the necessary prescription strength medications to treat your condition.