Rhinoplasty / Nasal Valve Surgery

After some nasal operations, dissolvable packing may be placed to help prevent bleeding. It is common to drain mucous and a small amount of blood for a few days. You can diminish the chances of bleeding by avoiding vigorous activity for 2 weeks. Specifically, you should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, straining, swimming, vigorous sports, airplane or traveling out of the area.

​Nausea and fatigue after the operation is common. Reducing your pain medication sometimes will help. Wearing gauze squares under the front of the nose to collect drainage is recommended the first few days. They are not only convenient but reduce the need to wipe your nose repeatedly, which can make it sore. The gauze squares are not necessary after the drainage stops.

​Do not blow your nose the first week. If you have to sneeze, keep your mouth open so there is not pressure through your nose. Do not drink alcohol during the healing period. Do NOT use aspirin, ibuprofen or any other medications containing these products, (Example: Motrin, Advil, Ascriptin, Panadol), as these can lead to bleeding. Use only Tylenol/Tylenol combination products or prescription pain medications. Do not take any antihistamines or decongestants.

​The next day, obtain saline nasal spray from any drug store (Ocean and AYR are common brands). Spray each nostril with 4 squirts at breakfast, lunch, supper and bedtime. This cleanses the nose. Use the spray for three weeks or until no benefit. The 2nd week after surgery, you may gently blow your nose after the use of the saline spray.

​You may wash your nose even though it is tender. If the front of your nose crusts, you may keep the openings lubricated with antibiotic (Bacitracin or Neosporin) ointment. There may be a temporary numbness of the front teeth after surgery. The nose contains sutures which will dissolve or fall out spontaneously. Do not be alarmed if the nose does not breathe freely for 2-3 weeks. It takes 2-6 weeks to completely heal. For several days it runs, plugs and behaves like it has a cold. Afterwards it sometimes becomes dry and filled with scabs. All of this is part of the normal healing process. If you have had cosmetic correction of a nasal deformity, there will be black and blue discoloration which will clear up over a 2 week period.

​One complication is a nosebleed. It does not commonly happen but if it should, please go to the emergency room to be evaluated. Another important complication (but rare) is called septal hematoma. Bleeding into the operated tissues swells the septum until breathing is nearly totally blocked. This should be reported to your physician should you suspect this complication.

​Post-operative visits are usually 2 weeks following surgery. Please call the office as soon as possible to arrange this. If you have any questions or concerns in the interim period, we will be happy to answer them for you.