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Want to ensure gorgeous results after your rhinoplasty in Toronto? Of course you do. Your facial plastic surgeon will give you detailed instructions and cover all the dos and don’ts while healing from your nose job. Directly after your procedure, you can expect to feel a little drowsy and dizzy for a couple of days. There’s a lot to remember and plan for, so multiple instructions could have you feeling overwhelmed. To help keep things clear, we’ve compiled a short list of 5 key things to avoid. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but some we think are especially important for Oakville, Mississauga, or GTA rhinoplasty patients.

Dr. Cory Torgerson’s Toronto rhinoplasty patients can reach him personally any time after their surgery because worries and questions are bound to come up. Sometimes people read the plentiful, conflicting instructions found online and wind up even more confused.

While there are numerous actions that you can take to make yourself more comfortable and heal optimally, it’s essential to understand the things that you must avoid. Risks such as infection or bleeding exist after any cosmetic surgery. Rhinoplasty in Toronto usually delivers high patient satisfaction and straightforward healing, but much depends on what patients do at home to ensure their safe recovery. Here’s our doctor-approved list of 5 things to avoid.

1. Rhinoplasty recovery: Don’t stress!

You might be surprised to read this important first recommendation, but it’s vital. That’s because stress affects you physically as well as mentally. It’s normal to feel butterflies and some anxiety before cosmetic surgery. Afterward, you may be on the lookout for issues, and you may be concerned when you see a little blood or bruising, even though they are expected. If you take to the Internet to search “rhinoplasty complications”, you’re going to find plenty to stress about, because anecdotal and unusual examples get a lot of attention. The best person to ask about potential issues is your Toronto rhinoplasty surgeon, and the best way to avoid them is to choose a qualified, experienced surgeon.

If you haven’t scheduled adequate time off work for a comfortable nose job recovery, or you’re concerned about child and pet care or housework, this could make it hard to relax. Your body will heal more effectively when you are calm, and you’ll enjoy the experience more too.

We recommend that you get plenty of sleep and eat well in the weeks before your rhinoplasty surgery. Ask your facial plastic surgeon all your questions so you aren’t left feeling confused or uncertain about the plan. They’ll outline everything you can expect while healing. When nothing comes as a surprise, you can take it all in stride.

#Pro tip: If worries come up, ask your surgeon for guidance directly. While it’s often useful to have family and friends around for support after surgery, you may find yourself taking on their stress unnecessarily. They love you, but they aren’t the best to advise you, so stick with your trusted professional.

2. Don’t rush back into anything

You’ll be given activity restrictions to follow for your safety after rhinoplasty in Toronto. If you’re like a lot of people, you’re a busy, active, multi-tasker, and sitting around while you heal might drive you nuts. It’s especially easy to fall into the trap of cleaning up around the house while recovering after cosmetic surgery because you’ll be resting and spending longer than usual looking around. One way to avoid the temptation to move furniture or tackle a deep cleaning is to do that beforehand. Prepare your home to be clean and clutter-free with the laundry all finished and nothing left to do. That way you can kick back with a book and get the rest that you need.

Many of Dr. Torgerson’s rhinoplasty patients in Toronto have active gym lives too. If you normally run, lift weights, play sports, or do other fitness activities, it can feel frustrating to put them on hold, yet you must. You’ll most likely be advised to stop all aerobic activity for 3 weeks and strenuous lifting and sports for several weeks longer. Try not to jump the gun getting back into your favourite exercise, because it will increase blood flow and pressure in your face. The nose holds on to residual swelling for many months. If you want to see that resolve quickly and reveal your new look, prolonging swelling will be counterproductive.

As well, certain sports carry a high risk of getting a ball or other object in the face. If you’re participating in activities that could result in an elbow, frisbee, fist, or ball to the nose, ask yourself whether your surgical results are worth compromising. Your rhinoplasty surgeon will tell you when the bones and other tissue are well set and relatively safe for sports.

3. Don’t put glasses on until given the all-clear

It may be tempting to pop them on just briefly if you’re accustomed to wearing glasses for reading or daily tasks. As well, many people wear sunglasses, especially in the summer. If you’ve got some bruising around the eyes after rhinoplasty, you might be tempted to throw on the celebrity “don’t look at me” shades. You mustn’t, though.

If you have a prescription, talk to your doctor about getting used to contact lenses. Eyeglasses rest on the bridge of your nose. While your tissues are swollen and unhealed, they will increase the risk of creating dents or even moving nasal structures in an unintended way. Glasses often don’t fit your facial features symmetrically. You’ll be advised to steer clear of specs for at least 6 weeks.

4. Don’t pick your nose

This may sound like a no-brainer or funny, but seriously, don’t pick your nose (at least until you’re healed). You’ll likely have some dissolvable internal sutures placed way up in your nostrils. You may have stitches in the columella between them at the upper lip junction too. There could be gauze or packing in the nostrils or taped underneath. You might see some icky, crusty discharge and blood oozing for a few days. You might get itchy, and you’ll most certainly feel congested.

While these are all undesirable but typical features of a Toronto rhinoplasty recovery, on the bright side, most patients say they don’t feel much pain.

It’s going to be tempting to blow your nose or to stick a finger up there. You really shouldn’t. There are a few good reasons to wait for your surgeon to see you and poke around in there for you. First, rhinoplasty comes with a relatively low risk of infection, but you’ll bump that risk up if you touch and prod your nose. Second, you could dislodge delicate structures or sutures that need to be left alone to heal. The first week is crucial, and even after that, you’ll be instructed to clean just around the nostrils with a damp cotton-tip swab. You may be permitted to squirt saline mist spray into the nose and to apply Vaseline with a swab. You won’t be allowed to wet your nose for a couple of weeks. By the 2-week mark, you’ll have seen your surgeon 2 or 3 times and your nostrils will feel much clearer. Still, don’t stick a finger in and don’t blow until your surgeon allows you to.

5. Don’t lie flat or bend over

This is critical within the first week, but still important for a few weeks after. Gravity and blood pressure go hand in hand. Your bed should be elevated at the head by 30 to 45 degrees. You shouldn’t place your head below your chest at all. For the same reason aerobic activity is advised against for a few weeks, bending over also increases blood pressure in the face. This causes pain, increased swelling, and may even lead to bleeding. Delicate little blood vessels are growing and connecting tissue in the area. While you’re healing, flooding blood into those tiny vessels can be damaging. We recommend that you patrol your home in the week before rhinoplasty and pick up anything low to the ground that you normally bend over for. If you need help with child care, pet care, or cleaning, arrange for help ahead of time so you won’t worry or be tempted to push your limits.

There are many more precautions and instructions that you’ll be given to have a great recovery. They will be specific to you and your individual needs or procedure. Each facial plastic surgeon also has their own preferred protocols according to their experience and preferences. Therefore, always ask your surgeon what they advise for you and check with them before taking on new activities or interventions after rhinoplasty. Choosing an experienced, talented rhinoplasty surgeon in Toronto is a critical first step to ensure that you love your outcome. After that, carefully following instructions and preparing yourself well puts an excellent recovery in your hands.

Rhinoplasty Clinic Toronto

If you have questions or would like to schedule a consultation, we’d love to meet you. Dr. Torgerson specializes in plastic and cosmetic procedures of the head and neck. He offers consultations and highly customized treatment planning, so each client receives the best enhancement for them. We look forward to hearing from you.

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