Whatever your reason for undertaking a rhinoplasty, one thing is for sure – you’ll require stitches at the end of this complex procedure. Stitches protect the incisions made from infections, minimize scarring, and play a significant role in recovering after nasal surgery. In this guide, we show you the process of caring for your rhinoplasty stitches for a quick and stress-free recovery.
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, also known as a “nose job,” is a surgical procedure that reshapes your nose to correct a congenital disability or help you breathe and look better. The nose surgery takes around two to three hours to complete and is often done in an outpatient surgical facility.
On the day of surgery, the doctor administers local or general anesthesia to numb your face. Once you’re unconscious or your face is numb, the doctor makes one of two incisions based on your nose job.
In open rhinoplasty, the incision runs across the tissue between your nostrils and inside the nostrils. In a closed rhinoplasty procedure, incisions are made within the nostrils. If additional cartilage is required during the procedure, the rhinoplasty surgeon may obtain it from the nasal septum, ear, or rib, especially in secondary rhinoplasty. The doctor will finally apply stitches to the incisions for faster and safer healing.
How Long Do Rhinoplasty Stitches Stay In?
A doctor uses rhinoplasty stitches to close your incisions after a nose job. If the cut is deep, the doctor combines the separated layers using dissolvable stitches. These stitches dissolve by themselves over time with the help of antibiotic ointment or hydrogen peroxide.
On the other hand, external rhinoplasty stitches cover incisions on the outer surface of your nose. These stitches are non-dissolvable and need to be physically removed by your doctor after three to five days of treatment. You may also have a bandage on top to protect your nose from direct contact with the elements.
How Do You Care for Rhinoplasty Stitches?
Proper care is important to support the healing process. After this facial plastic surgery procedure, your doctor will most likely have inserted nasal splints to retain the nose structure in its new shape. You may also have a nasal drip pad to collect blood dripping from your nose. All these might create discomfort that causes swelling and or bruises around the nose.
Some mild pain is common after cosmetic surgery, while others also have breathing difficulties and itching sensations for a short time. To minimize the discomfort and speed up healing after rhinoplasty, you should take good care of your nose by:
- Applying cool compresses on the face for 10-20 minutes every one to two hours daily, avoiding direct pressure on the nose
- Watching for too much sun exposure is a good idea
- Keeping pillows around to keep the face elevated
- Avoiding too many strenuous activities such as heavy lifting and certainly any contact sports
- Refraining from wearing glasses or sunglasses on the nose until healed
- Not smiling, laughing, or making facial expressions that demand too much movement
How Long Does It Take to Recover after a Rhinoplasty Surgery?
Rhinoplasty is a safe and straightforward surgical procedure. However, healing may take a while due to the nose’s sensitivity. You should expect to start recovering within weeks, but some symptoms may linger for months or over a year before you can return to normalcy. For the best and fastest long-term results:
- Take pain medication as prescribed
- Eat a proper diet (to get the required calories for healing)
- Attend all doctor’s appointments
Book Your Rhinoplasty Surgery with Dr. Zandifar
The Rhinoplasty surgical procedure benefits people in different ways. However, the process is sensitive and requires a lot of care thereafter, especially for stitches. Dr. Zandifar is a world-class facial plastic surgeon who performs rhinoplasty procedures in Beverly Hills, CA. He oversees your recovery from start to finish and ensures you’re satisfied with the outcome. Contact him today for a professional nose job in Beverly Hills, CA.
