How long rest is needed after nose surgery (rhinoplasty)? And, what things we should not do?

Although I usually recommend to my patients not to go to work one week after surgery, but depending on the patient’s physical strength and type of anesthesia, the patients are usually fit enough 1 to 3 days after surgery so that they can go outside; but a brief physical weakness is seen up to a week after the surgery. It is recommended to limit physical activities for 2 weeks. Patients can return to work after a week, but they should refrain intense physical activities or talking too much. They should avoid doing extreme movements of the face and upper lip like crying, loud laughing, sucking or chewing gum for 2 weeks. Following these recommendations even up to 2 months can be useful. Usually using ice packs on the cheeks in the first 24 hours and sometimes up to 72 hours after the operation can help in reducing swelling.

It is usually better to use cold liquids diet in the first night. The important thing is to start drinking in the early hours with small amounts and gradually, since vomiting after surgery is usually caused by sudden drinking of large amounts of liquids. When you could sit on your bed without help, start by drinking a tablespoon of water. If you did not have a problem after 15 minutes, drink half a cup of water. If no problem occurred after another 15 minutes, you can gradually start drinking of other fluids. If you felt nausea and vomiting, do not start drinking and eating until it is resolved. The next day, you can start eating soft foods, but for 2 weeks, avoid from eating too stiff foods that require a lot of chewing and facial movements. In addition to soup, soft foods can include soft rice, stews, mince and such foods.

It is usually recommended that the head is placed higher while sleeping. In the first night, it is even better to sleep in a semi-sitting state. In the next days, the use of two pillows under the head is enough for two weeks. The general principle is that the nose is located in a higher level than the heart. It is better not to sleep on your side up to 2 weeks, since while sleeping, the pillow may cause pressure on the nose and tilt it.

After 2-3 weeks, you can start light exercises such as walking and running; but it is better to postpone heavier sports such as mountaineering, swimming, skiing, etc. for 1.5 to 2 months. It is recommended to avoid intense sunlight for 1.5-2 months, because it may damage your inflamed skin. In general, you can do whatever you were previously doing after 2 months. In the first 2-3 weeks, you try to sneeze with open mouth to prevent any pressure on the nose. It is better not to blow the nose in the first 2-3 weeks. To clean the nose, you can use gentle washing with normal saline by a syringe. Avoid wearing glasses for 1.5-2 months. However, in the first days after the operation, you can stick the glasses to your forehead by a piece of tape to prevent its contact with the nose.

Some colleagues permit the use of eye lens from 2-3 days after the operation. But I would recommend that, given the potential risks of contact lenses and as the patients cannot have good hygiene around the eyes in the first 2 weeks, they would not use the lens. If you want to do LASIK surgery, you can perform 3-4 weeks after the nose surgery. But dental treatment procedures that may need pressure to the nose, facial intense movements and intense mouth opening would be better delayed for 1.5-2 months