Rhinoplasty Surgery Precautions

Rhinoplasty surgery precautions – informational graphic by MINE Plastic Surgery & Dermatology with scalpel and heart illustration on teal background.

Post-Operative Precautions for Rhinoplasty

After-Surgery Position

01. After the procedure, it is best to keep your head elevated higher than your heart while sleeping.
02. You should sleep facing the ceiling. Do not lie down on the side or on the stomach

Post-Surgery Diet

01. You may resume a normal diet, but please avoid very spicy or strongly seasoned foods.

Swelling Care

01. For the first 2–3 days after surgery, swelling and bruising will gradually worsen. From around 2–4 weeks, they will slowly subside, although this varies from person to person.

02. Including the day of surgery, apply cold compresses until day 3, then switch to warm compresses afterward. (Compress is provided by the clinic.)

– Cold compress: Use the cold pack after storing it in the freezer.

  • Warm compress: Heat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds. (Do not overheat—there is a risk of bursting.)
  • Due to temporary numbness in the treated area, you may not feel heat correctly, increasing the risk of burns.
    Always check the temperature with your hand before applying.

03.About 2 weeks after surgery, the treated area may feel firm but will gradually soften.
This is a natural healing process, so please allow some time.

After Surgery Care

  1. Do not remove the tape or splint around the nose on your own.
  2. The cotton inside the nose will be removed after 1–2 days. (If septal extension surgery was performed, the Merocel packing will be worn for 3–4 days.)
  3. The time for stitch removal depends on the surgical method. Generally, stitches inside the nose are removed after 7 days, and stitches at the nostril base area are removed after 5 days.
  4. Do not forcibly remove scabs or wounds inside the nose, and avoid touching them with your hands.
  5. Disinfect the inside of the nose twice a day using Betadine or Povidone (red disinfectant).
  6. If you visit the clinic on day 3 or 4, the ear tape will be removed, and stitch removal will be done on day 7.
  7. The ear splint will be taken care of on day 7, but please wear it while sleeping for one month to prevent the ear from being pressed and deformed.
  8. If osteotomy was performed, an aqua splint will be applied and removed after 7 days.
  9. For general nose surgery, the nasal splint is removed 3–4 days after surgery.

Shower and Washing the face

  1. Do not come into contact with water before the splint and stitches are removed. You can use a wet towel or a wet tissue to wipe the face, excluding the surgical area.
  2. It is possible to wash the face and apply makeup the day after stitches are removed. But do not heavily rub the nose area and be careful to not apply pressure to the area when washing the face
  3. Do not go to the sauna for one month following the surgery. There is a risk of infection.

Exercise

  1. Return to daily activities is possible immediately after surgery. Light exercise is possible 2-3 weeks after surgery, and vigorous exercise, that causes a lot of perspiration, is possible 1 month after surgery.
  2. It is important that no physical pressure is applied to the area for 3 months following your rhinoplasty.

Medication Use

  1. Following surgery, take the prescribed medication 30 minutes after your first meal. Make sure to regularly take the medication as prescribed. If you experience diarrhea or an allergic reaction following the use of medication, please contact the hospital.
  2. Do not take aspirin or vitamin E for 1 week following the surgery, as they can cause bleeding.

Consumption of alcohol and smoking

Avoid alcohol and smoking for 1 month after surgery. It can worsen bleeding, wound healing, and infection risk.

Progress

  1. You can lightly blow your nose 1 week after surgery but should wait 1 month to blow your nose more vigorously.
  2. Directly following surgery, the nose may look lifted up and asymmetrical as swelling may differ from one side of the nose to the other. Also, swelling and progress differs for each individual.
  3. You can wear glasses right after the surgery.
  4. Swelling reduces at a slower rate in the bridge and tip of the nose compared to the rest of the nose. Therefore, it will take approximately 6 months for the nose to safely settle into its final form.
  5. Following surgery, because of irritation to the inside of the nose, the nose may run, become stuffed, or slightly bleed. This will get better over time.

Scar Ointment Usage Guide

1. How to Use the Ointment

• Use either Dermatix Ultra Gel or Contractubex (choose one of the two products).

• For effective scar improvement, begin using the ointment 3 weeks after suture removal and continue consistently for at least 6 months.

• Clean the scar area and gently remove moisture before applying.

• Only use when the wound is completely healed. (Avoid use if the wound is still open.)

• Apply a small amount of ointment and spread it thinly over the skin. (An amount about the size of a pea is sufficient.)

• Gently massage the ointment into the scar area.

• Wait about 1–2 minutes for it to dry completely.

• It is recommended to apply twice a day (morning and evening).

2. Precautions

• After applying the ointment, avoid touching or scratching the scar area.

• Since UV exposure may worsen scar pigmentation, please use sunscreen when going outside.

• If skin irritation or an allergic reaction occurs during use, stop using the ointment immediately and contact the hospital.


※ Postoperative care is just as important as the surgery itself, so we kindly ask for your cooperation in following the care instructions.
※ If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the hospital at any time.

813, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, South Korea 4th(F) floor
T. +82 10 3476 1175  Clinic Hours — Weekdays: 10AM–7PM | Saturdays: 10AM–4PM

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