The technical definition of a nose job: an operation involving rhinoplasty or cosmetic surgery on a person’s nose. My experience having it done: an interesting time that was tolerable, but unpleasant. If a new nose is what you choose, here are some tips, tricks, and insight on what to expect.
1. It’s probably not best to go searching for people’s experiences online before you go under the knife. It’s just added stress.
Every surgery is different, every surgeon is different and every nose is different. Until you’ve awakened from the anesthesia and then spent about 36 hours sleeping, there is no way to know how your body has responded to (major!) facial surgery. Worrying will solve nothing– it will only add stress to life with the old nose.
2. Don’t make major plans after surgery. That’s stressful, too.
Sleeping was my favorite– and only– thing to do post-procedure. Anesthesia and pain medication affects everyone differently, but regardless, your body needs time to rest and heal. It’s definitely a fluctuating feeling of being totally fine and being totally not. Don’t overdo it when it comes to leaving the couch/bed. Just rest.
3. Keep the healing area clean. I repeat… CLEAN.
My biggest advice is to clean inside your nose 3-4 times a day. With the blood and mucus still draining from your nose, the gauze taped on your face will catch it, but it will also crust around your stitches if it sits too long. I was told by my doctor that crusting inside the nose would make the removal of the internal splints and stitches much more difficult.
4. Stock your home with straws and drink water constantly.
I couldn’t drink anything directly through my mouth because moving the upper lip pulled the base of my nose down. I resorted to sticking the straw into the backsides of my mouth and staying hydrated that way. Hydration is key since you’re mouth-breathing and might lack an appetite. Drinking too much water can’t hurt you when your body needs it.
5. Keep the skin around your nose and your lips healthy.
Your skin can dry out with the gauze and the tape, and mouth-breathing will destroy your lips, so Elizabeth Arden’s 8-Hour Skin Protectant or Aquaphor Healing Treatment will be a great addition to your care-products.
6. Post-procedure foreign object removal.
Taking my external splint off was extremely easy, I just used a cup to pour water on my face until it fell off. My doctor used internal splints up each nostril instead of packing, which weren’t the most comfortable but did offer the absolute most satisfactory feeling while being removed. The stitches were my biggest issue and getting them taken out was highly unpleasant, but it was only about three minutes of my life.
7. Long(er) term recovery.
Two weeks after surgery the pain had subsided into mild discomfort. Most of the time I forgot there was any surgical damage done, until I tried to blow my nose or mistakenly touched it (usually unintentionally) with too much force. After three weeks, I was back to normal exercise and haven’t needed pain medication since.