For those who have difficulty breathing, have a facial silhouette they’re unhappy with, or have had an injury to their nose, a rhinoplasty can be one of the best holiday gifts. If you’ve been looking at rhinoplasty before and after pictures, you might be considering a holiday rhinoplasty for yourself or as a present for a family member.
However, many are concerned by the rhinoplasty swelling stages to consider a holiday rhinoplasty. In this blog, we’ll explain how bad the rhinoplasty swelling stages really are and how you can still have happy holidays while recovering.
Why holiday rhinoplasties are great
Beyond being a holiday gift, there are plenty of reasons to go for the holiday rhinoplasty. The holiday months can be some of the best times to get a rhinoplasty. There are a few reasons for this.
The holidays are generally when it’s easiest for people to get time off from school and work. The rhinoplasty recovery stages will require at least a few days of resting at home. Rhinoplasties also require a few days for the swelling to go down and to start resembling their “final appearance.” Taking time off and relaxing indoors while the swelling goes down is always a plus.
Colder weather is also good for those going through the healing stages after nose surgery. Colder temperatures can help alleviate the swelling. While the lack of sun during these months in many places may depress some people, it’s a plus for anyone going through the rhinoplasty recovery process. Too much sun exposure on the nose can potentially damage the sensitive post-op skin.
There’s also the issue of what to eat after rhinoplasty. You’ll generally want to avoid any spicy foods or hard-to-chew meals. For many, the holiday season is when things like warm and hearty soups are enjoyed, which are excellent for those in a postoperative state after plastic surgery.
The rhinoplasty swelling stages
So you’ve decided a holiday rhinoplasty is the way to go. But what exactly are you in for as far as the recovery process goes? How long are you going to be cooped up indoors? If you’re planning to take the holidays off for rhinoplasty recovery, here’s what you can expect.
The most important time after rhinoplasty is going to be the first week. During this period, you’ll probably still have a splint in your nose. You’ll only take this out when your facial plastic surgeon recommends it. It’s vital you take this week off to relax.
After this first week, you may notice some swelling and bruising. This is perfectly normal and will generally last for about three more weeks. The swelling will go down, so don’t worry if the shape of your nose at this point isn’t what you’re hoping for.
Obviously, it’s not feasible for many people to take a whole month off work or studies. However, even taking just that one extra week after your splints come out to relax will do wonders for speeding along your rhinoplasty recovery.
Holiday rhinoplasty recovery challenges
Of course, there are some challenges when it comes to recovering during the holidays. Often, our time off is when we like to indulge. But not all indulgences are great for recovery after a rhinoplasty procedure. For example, you’ll want to cut back on salty food. High amounts of sodium can impede your recovery process. So if you have some favorite holiday salty snacks, you’ll have to go without them for a while.
In general, you won’t want major holiday meals to fall during the first week after a rhinoplasty when you’ll want to stick to soft foods. Alcohol after rhinoplasty and smoking after rhinoplasty also will slow down the healing process, so holiday drinks and cigars will need to be nixed as well. But the most important part of recuperating after rhinoplasty surgery is rest and relaxation, so if you get plenty of both over the holidays, you’ll be in a great position for a swift recovery! Contact us to book your holiday rhinoplasty today!