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Maybe you’re planning rhinoplasty in Toronto with eyes wide open, expecting misery and a long, drawn-out recovery. Maybe you’ve had a few friends or helpful folks on the Internet share the biggest challenges of their experience, and you’re now anticipating the worst. We’re here to hopefully help dispel some unnecessary worry. There’s good news about your healing period after rhinoplasty. Toronto facial plastic surgeon and nose job specialist Dr. Torgerson knows that his patients can have a surprisingly pleasant, relaxing, and stress-free recovery if they follow a few helpful guidelines for healing.

The good news for you is that this is rarely described as an overly painful experience. Toronto rhinoplasty patients report congestion, pressure, itchy nostrils, and inconveniences, but not usually pain. With that good news out of the way, let’s look at a few more helpful bits of info and advice for planning a pleasant recovery and results that you’ll love.

1. Rhinoplasty: Get prepared

Preparation makes a significant difference. When it comes to daily tasks, housework, career work, supplies you’ll need, transportation, rest, and even entertainment, planning ahead and preparing for the challenging bits mean it won’t feel so tough when you go through it.

We recommend that you clean the whole house, do all the laundry, and get some loose tops handy (pyjamas work) so you have clean, comfy things to put on that safely avoid your nose. Toronto rhinoplasty patients often hire a house cleaner or ask family and friends to come to lend a hand with errands, driving to appointments, and child or pet care. Preparing the help that you’ll need ahead of time means you won’t feel “stuck” or guilty asking at the last minute.

Don’t forget to pick up snacks, straws, books, magazines, and anything else to make lounging around convenient. It’s possible that you’ll feel a little nauseous for a few days after a general anaesthetic. Having light meals handy, pudding, yogourt, and other easy-to-eat items will help you take prescribed medications and keep something in your tummy. Drink plenty of water and keep a hydration station by your bedside and the couch.

Speaking of which, it’s helpful to set up more than one “recovery space” for yourself. The bedroom can get boring fast. You’ll need lots of firm cushions and a raised head on your bed to keep your face elevated while supporting your neck and shoulders. We all know how distracting back and neck pain can be. When you have trouble getting comfortable or if you don’t have the things you need nearby, frustration and helplessness could make your recovery feel much harder.

2. Pay attention to your diet

To be clear, we’re not suggesting you “diet” while recovering from rhinoplasty in Toronto. You’ll need adequate calories and lots of energy to fuel cell repair and immunity. Maybe your diet isn’t great though? One way to ensure that you feel sufficiently energized and heal quicker is to consume plenty of whole, healthy foods and avoid the junk. Alcohol is a depressant and may thin your blood before and after surgery, so skip that. Smoking decreases circulation, and your surgeon will likely strongly discourage it. Aside from these, you can avoid high sugar and processed foods. These don’t provide good fuel and nutrients. They can make you feel bloated, tired, and unhappy. None of that helps patients enjoy a smooth, joyful recovery period. Instead, load up on protein, fruits and veggies high in vitamins, healthy fats, and lots of water. Your brain, your mood, and your efficiently healing nose will thank you.

3. Don’t consider yourself to be on bedrest

In most cases after any cosmetic surgery, regular movement and walking around is not only advised, it is medically important. General anaesthesia means a slight risk of blood clots in the legs in the days following your rhinoplasty. This is more of a concern for people with a history of deep-vein thrombosis or health factors that increase their risk. However, walking regularly is advised for most patients. Aside from healthy circulation, you’ll help prevent constipation, which can make a person very uncomfortable. Toronto rhinoplasty patients can safely walk up and down stairs, around the block, or even just around the house. Go slow. The point isn’t aerobic exercise, but movement makes a body function and feel better.

4. Get dressed and go out

Ok, we know we mentioned PJs, and you’re certainly allowed to stay cozy in your house with sleepwear on all day, but we suggest that you get dressed in some clothes you feel good in and go outside. At least after the first 3 to 5 days. You may still look bruised and puffy. You might feel a little self-conscious. But if you go somewhere quiet, meet with a friend, spend time at someone else’s house, or go to a park, you’ll feel more human and less restless. When socializing, keep the conversation positive and be sure to sit and relax wherever you’re at. Throw a wide-brimmed hat on if it’s sunny out. You won’t be allowed to wear sunglasses, and you do need to protect that swollen nose from UV rays.

5. Stretching and light exercises — adapted

Are you the type who feels depressed when they can’t work out? Dr. Torgerson’s rhinoplasty patients sometimes find this to be a bigger challenge than they anticipated. Exercise releases good chemicals, reduces stress, improves the mood, and has many other benefits. Missing out on that for a time may make you feel stiff, lazy, guilty, or bored. First, thinking about the time you’ll need to take off from the gym beforehand and mentally preparing for that will help. It’s temporary, after all, and well worth it for a safe, optimal recovery. Remind yourself of the goal, the investment you’re making, and your expected results. You won’t fall completely out of shape in 3 weeks, but to keep limber and stretch, you can plan an adapted routine. You mustn’t lower your head below the chest because this increases blood pressure to the nose. After about 3 weeks, you’ll be allowed to elevate your blood pressure and have more freedom of movement. Plan to do some seated stretches for the back, arms, legs, and gentle Pilates poses while you heal after rhinoplasty.

6. Feel too shy to go out?

Be a host! A common frustration for recovering Toronto rhinoplasty patients is that they feel much better by the second week, but still look puffy and bruised. The splint or bandage over the nose will likely be removed, but you won’t quite look like yourself. Sitting around alone as though you were ill when you actually feel great is depressing. If you’re too self-conscious to head back to school, work, or public restaurants, host a friendly dinner party! You can entertain and socialize to your heart’s content with people you trust and feel completely at ease with.

7. Start a blog

Plenty of cosmetic surgery patients do this today. Whether a vlog or a written journal, if you find it helpful or soothing to process your thoughts that way, communicating about your regular progress can remind you how far you’ve come and can help break the sense of isolation if you’re holed up somewhere.

8. Staycation or actual vacation?

There’s no reason you can’t go somewhere beautiful and luxurious to recover. It’s essential that Toronto rhinoplasty patients know what’s realistic after surgery and not schedule activity they can’t enjoy (such as swimming, suntanning, sports, facials, etc.), but they can lounge on the beach in the shade. You can stay in a hotel, read in peace surrounded by things you find beautiful, or even unplug the communication devices and turn your time off into a staycation at home. With good food, curated entertainment, plush robes, and comfy spaces set up, the peace and tranquility can be a much-needed reset.

9. Contact your surgeon

There may be a cosmetic nurse or coach you can chat with too. Dr. Torgerson’s rhinoplasty patients are provided with his personal number for access any time, day or night, immediately after their surgery. For the first few days, some normal signs of swelling, bruising, or oozing can be understandably concerning. The best thing to do if you think something unusual is happening is to ask your surgeon for advice directly. They can always schedule a fast appointment to see you in person or talk you through the issue over the phone. After the early post-op phase, it’s normal for questions about recovery and activities to continually pop up, so you should never hesitate to reach out to the staff and ask for guidance. Sometimes a friendly voice to empathize, celebrate your progress, and assure you that you’re on track will make a world of difference. Hesitating to reach out and letting anxieties brew is a sure way to make your recovery unpleasant.

Dr. Cory Torgerson – Rhinoplasty Surgeon

Do you have questions about rhinoplasty in Toronto? Are you considering a nose job and want a consultation to learn more about the options? We’ll be happy to book your appointment and help you get started. Talk to you soon.

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