How Do You Reduce Swelling After a Rhinoplasty Revision?

A quick look atrevision rhinoplasties

A rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery intended to correct thefunction or improve the appearance of the nose. Unfortunately, not allrhinoplasties turn out the way the patients had hoped, and so it’s sometimesnecessary to get a second surgery, called a revision rhinoplasty. Revisionrhinoplasties are far more complicated and can require a slightly moreintensive recovery process with a little more swelling than the first surgery.

Post-rhinoplasty swelling tends to linger. Patientstypically see significant improvements within 10 days and after three months,the majority of the swelling should be gone. However, it may take up to a fullyear to completely resolve all lingering swelling.

How to help reducethe swelling after a rhinoplasty

Immediately after your surgery, you can begin taking stepsto minimize the swelling and inflammation. You’ll want to get plenty of restafter your procedure, but make sure you always lie down with your headelevated. If you have an adjustable bed frame, keep the headboard sectionelevated. Otherwise, use extra pillows under your head. This helps fluidscontinue to drain downward from your face, which prevents excessive swelling.

Place cold compresses on your forehead and/or cheeks. It’scritically important to avoid placing the compresses on top of your nose or ina manner that exerts any pressure on your nose. During the first 48 hourspost-op, use ice packs for 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off, and so on.

For some patients, plastic surgeons recommend nasal splinting.The surgeon can strategically place small nasal splints and surgical tapeacross the nasal tip and bridge to minimize the swelling. This also helps tokeep the airway open.

If these steps are not sufficient to help reduce yourswelling, you should call your plastic surgeon’s office to ask about othermethods. For revision rhinoplasties in particular, scar tissue from theoriginal surgery can worsen the swelling. If this applies to your situation,the surgeon might recommend injections of a steroid drug. Corticosteroids canreduce the swelling in the area and help support the healing process.

Schedule yourrevision rhinoplasty consult in NYC

Are you thinking of having a revision rhinoplasty in NYC? The most important consideration is the surgeon you select. A revision rhinoplasty requires a high level of technical skills and experience. It’s important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with a long track record of success, such as Dr. Thomas Loeb. Dr. Loeb is an experienced revision rhinoplasty surgeon who blends his clinical expertise with a sense of artistry that is unmatched. Call our Fifth Avenue office today at 212-327-3700 to schedule a one-on-one consultation.