Rhinoplasty has helped many patients achieve their ideal look and boost their confidence. After a rhinoplasty, there are several things you should do (or not do) to ensure a quick recovery and best results. These are five things to avoid immediately after rhinoplasty in Atlanta:
1. Strenuous Exercise
Avoid any activities that make you sweat for 4-6 weeks to minimize swelling. This includes playing sports, exercising, and sexual activity. After about a month, depending on your recovery and skin thickness, you may slowly resume exercise and other strenuous activities except contact sports, which should ideally be avoided for a total of 3 months.
2. Smoking
Nicotine of any sort restricts blood flow, which increases your chance of complications significantly such as skin necrosis and infection. Nicotine therefore must be avoided for six weeks before and six weeks after rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty in Atlanta. If you have been smoking for a long time, now might be the perfect time to try and break your addiction.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol can also slow down the healing process since it thins the blood, causing excessive bleeding and swelling. Alcohol also interacts poorly with medications and you will be on prescription pain relievers for a few days after surgery that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). Mixing alcohol with this medication could result in serious and dangerous side effects including liver problems.
4. Sun Exposure
After rhinoplasty, the skin on your nose (and the nose itself) will be sensitive. Sun exposure could cause permanent discoloration on the healing patches of skin and can increase swelling. Swelling can also be worsened by direct heat in saunas or tanning beds.
5. Sodium
Avoid sodium and salt after surgery for 4-6 weeks as sodium intake increases swelling and thereby slows the healing process. The recommended sodium intake per meal is 250 mg or less.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in rhinoplasty in Atlanta, schedule a consultation today with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Walker. He will be happy to discuss the procedure in more detail with you and discuss your cosmetic goals to create a customized surgical plan.
