When Can I Go Back to Work After Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty can provide life-changing results to the right candidate. The procedure is popular for aesthetic purposes to change the shape or size of a person's nose to create more balance with their other facial features. However, it can also be done for medical reasons, like correcting a deviated septum or alleviating a structural issue causing impaired breathing. When it comes to post-operative care, rhinoplasty recovery stages are relatively straightforward and rely on the patient's natural response to healing and the skill set of their plastic surgeon. Whether it is a cosmetic or medical need or even both, rhinoplasty is a highly complex, delicate operation that requires a knowledgeable and experienced surgeon.

The board-certified plastic surgeons at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery are dedicated and skilled rhinoplasty experts who are helping patients in the greater Jacksonville, FL area reach their unique goals. Read on to learn more from Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery about rhinoplasty and what to expect during nose reshaping surgery.

What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States. It is important that patients choose a plastic surgeon who has the surgical experience and creative eye to achieve optimal results. During a thorough one-on-one consultation at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery, we will conduct an examination, answer questions, and determine the right course of action to meet every patient's distinct aesthetic and functional needs. The most common reasons patients seek rhinoplasty are to:

• Straighten a crooked nose
• Redefine a bulbous tip to create a more aesthetic balance
• Widen or narrow the nostrils
• Smooth out a bump or hump on the bridge
• Narrow the bridge of the nose
• Shorten the length of the nose
• Correct a deviated septum

Is rhinoplasty recovery painful?

Whatever a patient's reason for considering this surgical procedure, the primary goal is to help each patient feel better physically or emotionally about their nose. Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. The experts at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery will determine the right protocol to use, either an open or closed surgical technique that generally takes about 1 – 2 hours to complete. After the procedure, in Jacksonville, FL, patients will return to the recovery area before returning home on the same day. Other aspects of rhinoplasty recovery are:

• Bruising and swelling will be visible. Some patients experience discoloration around the eyes.
• The majority of swelling and discoloration will start to subside in 3 – 4 days post-op.
• Over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses can help treat any discomfort or swelling.
• Patients should avoid strenuous activities or exercise for 4 – 6 weeks or until cleared by their surgeon.
• Don't do too much too soon as it can prolong the healing process and increase the risk of complications
• Most patients can return to work one week after rhinoplasty.

Postoperative care involves follow-up appointments with Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery in the first few days after surgery to check on a patient's progress and again in 2 – 4 weeks later. While it can take up to six months to a year for patients to see their final results as the nose gains more softness and its final contour, it is often called a transforming, life-changing event.

Nose reshaping requires surgical skill and a creative touch to provide patients with the necessary functionality and aesthetic balance they need. Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery offers a diverse group of board-certified plastic surgeons with years of surgical experience, particularly with facial procedures and rhinoplasty. If you live in the greater Jacksonville, FL area and have additional questions, then we invite you to call today to schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. During the coronavirus pandemic, Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery is seeing patients when it is medically necessary. We are also offering our patients online consultations . Rhinoplasty surgery can have a resounding positive effect on how you look and feel, so call today.