- Essays
- Rhinoplasty I
- Rhinoplasty II
- Rejuvenation I
- Rejuvenation II
|
 |
 |
 |
|
The first night after surgery |
|
At the end of surgery, your nose will be
bandaged with a small metal splint on your nose, held in place with skin-colored tape. You will wear
this splint for one week.
After surgery you will be allowed to relax or sleep in the recovery room while the sedatives begin to wear off. Then you will be escorted home with your family member or sitter. |
|
|
You will be tired as the medications wear off, and you will rest in bed with your head elevated. A washcloth soaked in ice water will be wrung out and placed over your eyes and along the sides of your nose. Changing this cloth every ten to fifteen minutes all night long is the job of your sitter. The cold cloths are extremely valuable in reducing swelling and bruising from the operation. We use the cold washcloths instead of ice in a plastic bag because the ice is too heavy to place on your nose after surgery. It is also your sitter's job to keep you comfortable, to make sure you get the medicines you need, to help you to the bathroom when necessary, and to get you something to eat as your sedatives wear off. Wait until you are hungry to eat or drink, and avoid hot foods or foods that require much chewing. You may use a straw for thin liquids only. Don't pull a milk shake through a straw; it's too hard on your face for the first week after surgery. Do not smoke. |
|
|
Your sitter will call the office if you have any difficulties during the night. Don't let your friends turn the night after surgery into a social hour, on the telephone or in person. You need to be relaxed, quiet and comfortable during this first night in order to start the healing process. A folded 2" x 2" cotton pad will be placed under your nose and taped into position as a drip pad after surgery. This "mustache dressing" will catch any drainage. It is normal for some red blood to appear on the pad and for the pad to need changing several times during the evening. When removing this dressing, some hydrogen peroxide applied with a Q-tip will promptly loosen it if it sticks. Starting the morning after surgery, you probably will not have any more drainage, and you can dispense with the mustache dressing. If you do continue to have some nasal drainage for a couple days, replace the folded gauze pad rather than continually mopping your nose with a Kleenex. |
 |
Clear all red checks in the Essays |