Swelling after any surgery is a normal part of the healing process, and nose jobs are no exception. Swelling is the result of your body sending thousands of cells to your nose and surrounding facial tissue after rhinoplasty to assist in the healing process.
Swelling around the eyes and cheeks is common after rhinoplasty and can last up to 12 months. This can make your face look asymmetrical, and it may even push the nasal tip up.
Bruising
Bruising is a common side effect after rhinoplasty. Most patients experience slight bruising and swelling after their nose job, although this is generally only around the eyes or cheeks. Fortunately, most of this bruising is short-lived and will disappear within a few weeks.
During the bruising process, blood vessels that lie under the skin break, causing red blood cells to leak out. This causes black, blue, purple, or yellow discoloration of the area where the bruise was created.
The color of the bruise depends on how much pressure was applied during the trauma. Most bruises appear purple-blue or black, but a few may appear green and yellow as the body breaks down the hemoglobin in the bleeding blood.
Most bruising occurs within a day of the injury and is not painful until it fades to its normal color. However, if the pain becomes severe, you should call your doctor immediately.
Many people find that applying a thick layer of petroleum jelly to the nose and surrounding eye areas helps minimize bruising. It also seals in the skin’s moisture to promote healing.
Taking any recommended medications can also help reduce inflammation, swelling, and bruising. Using ice on the bruised area can help reduce pain and speed up recovery time.
You may also consider keeping your face elevated with your head above the heart to optimize blood flow. This can be done by using a recliner or pillow.
It’s also a good idea to avoid bending over or lifting for about two weeks after your surgery. This will help to keep facial swelling to a minimum and will allow your nose to heal more quickly.
In the meantime, be sure to take your prescribed blood-thinning medication and follow your surgeon’s instructions. Bruising after a nose job is not unusual and will usually subside by day 7 following surgery.
Another important factor in reducing bruising after a nose job is to avoid smoking. Smoking can decrease the blood’s ability to clot and therefore can increase your risk of bruising.
Regardless of the reason for your nose job, it is important to understand that this operation is a could be performed in a non-surgical way by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Cameron Rokhsar.
Blood vessels
Rhinoplasty, or nose job surgery, is a popular cosmetic procedure that can help alter the appearance of the nose and improve structural abnormalities. As with any surgical procedure, however, the healing process can be lengthy and the body’s response to surgery may include swelling and bruising.
The eyes are especially susceptible to bruising after rhinoplasty due to the disruption of blood capillaries that can result in blood collecting under the skin. This bruising can create the “raccoon black eyes” look, so it’s important to use cold compresses and take proper care of your eyes after your nose job.
Using ice packs or small bags of frozen peas placed directly on your eyes and cheeks will constrict blood vessels, reducing swelling. Apply these ice packs every few hours, or at least every 20 minutes, until the bruising subsides.
Sleeping in a position that allows fluid to drain away from your nose will also help reduce the amount of swelling you experience overnight. Try to avoid lying flat or bending over for the first few nights and use several pillows when you are sleeping.
It’s important to follow the doctor’s instructions closely during this period, and make sure you are able to take all the pain medications recommended by your surgeon. The medication will decrease sensitivity to pain, so you’ll be able to sleep easier at night.
A week after your rhinoplasty, you should start to notice an initial reduction in swelling and bruising. Your under-eye bruising should have almost completely disappeared, and your eyelids will look brighter.
This is an important time to be patient and wait for the swelling to subside. Minor swelling and slight pressure are normal and should go down gradually over the course of a few weeks.
If you have significant swelling, it is a good idea to schedule another appointment to see the surgeon for a follow-up visit. This will give your doctor a chance to examine the progress of your recovery and address any concerns that you may have.
The final results of your rhinoplasty will be visible after about three months. This is when the bruising and swelling will be most minimal, and you should have no visible signs of having had the surgery. This is a great time to begin wearing contact lenses or glasses, but they should be suspended with transparent tape such that you cannot see the frames.
Tissues
The tissues that surround your nose after a nose job are made of a number of different types of cells. These include connective, muscle, and nervous tissue. They are all woven together to form the body’s organs, including the nose and eyelids.
While the tissues surrounding your nose may be swollen after your rhinoplasty, this should subside within a few weeks. However, minor swelling and pressure can still be present for a few months or longer after the procedure.
Swelling after a nose job can be attributed to two factors: gravity and fluid retention. Swelling is often a result of the natural looseness of facial tissue after surgery, and it tends to be most noticeable in the upper part of the nose towards the bones.
After a nose job, it is important to keep your eyes hydrated. This will help reduce water retention and make your recovery faster. Drinking plenty of water will also help your blood circulate better, which will speed up healing.
It is also a good idea to avoid wearing any sort of eyewear, such as glasses or contact lenses, until your doctor has given you the green light. Glasses can exacerbate bruising and swelling after a nose job, as well as add additional pressure to your healing nose.
Bruising can sometimes occur under your eyes after a nose job, which is called post-operative bruising or “black eye.” This is because of blood vessels that get trapped underneath the skin, causing a purple or blue color to appear in the area. Fortunately, this should begin to subside in 7 – 10 days after surgery.
You should try to limit your physical activity, especially strenuous exercise like weightlifting or running. Any type of movement that could aggravate or add to your swelling will interfere with the healing process, so it is best to wait until your doctor gives you the green light to resume exercising.
While most of the bruising should subside within a week after a nose job, there can be some residual bruising that will remain for up to one year after the surgery. This is because the new shape of your nose is still adjusting to its new position and size.
Cold compresses
After nose job surgery, your eyes will likely get swollen and bruised. Bruising is a normal part of healing and should go away in 7 to 10 days.
Using ice packs or bags of frozen peas are a great way to reduce swelling and help with bruising after your nose job. Apply a cold compress to the area for 20 minutes at a time and repeat if necessary.
Your rhinoplasty doctor will recommend how much and where to use cold compresses after your procedure. The more times you use cold compresses, the quicker your swelling and bruising will diminish.
You should also take care to protect your nose from excess sun exposure. Keeping your nose out of the sun during this time will prevent it from darkening and causing further swelling to occur.
Swelling after a nose job is generally noticeable only in the morning and will start to disappear around the third day. If you do have swollen eyes, it is important to keep them elevated as much as possible. This will allow your nasal bone structure to settle in and heal properly, resulting in a more refined shape.
Avoiding heat will also aid in the reduction of swelling and bruising after your nose job. Staying out of the sun, taking lukewarm showers and avoiding too much exercise can all contribute to an improved recovery.
A good night’s sleep can also be a key factor in healing, so make sure to get plenty of rest while you are recovering from your rhinoplasty surgery. Getting adequate sleep is vital for the overall health of your body and mind, and will greatly accelerate your healing process.
It is also essential to ensure that you are eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of fluids. These will flush out any toxins that may have built up during your surgery and speed up your healing process.
Your doctor will provide you with a list of foods to avoid during your recovery and we encourage you to follow these rules fully. This will help ensure a successful outcome for your nose job and avoid any complications or adverse effects down the road.