A nose job, also known as a rhinoplasty Denver, is a very popular form of plastic surgery. It can have incredible effects and improve a person’s life greatly, but it’s important to remember that the operation itself is only part of the process; the recovery phase is equally important. That’s why, at Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO, we always remind our patients of some simple dos and don’ts to keep in mind after this procedure.

What Should You Avoid After Getting a Nose Job? 11 Rules to Follow After Rhinoplasty Denver

1. Strenuous Exercise

You might be a fitness fanatic in your regular life, but after a complex procedure like this, it’s best to avoid any kind of intense physical exercise. A strenuous workout could cause complications, which is why your surgeon will usually tell you to avoid the gym and take it easy for a few weeks.

Even relatively low-impact exercises like jogging around the block or cycling are better to avoid during this time, and it’s definitely a good idea to refrain from any kind of contact sports like football, soccer, or basketball for at least a few months, as an accident or collision with another player could cause all sorts of problems for your nose.

2. Blowing Your Nose

Obviously, after a rhinoplasty Denver, your nose will be in quite a delicate and sensitive condition. Even the slightest touches can be painful and interfere with your recovery, so blowing your nose could be very dangerous. That’s why it’s best to not blow your nose in the first week or so after the procedure.

Of course, it can be quite difficult to avoid blowing your nose, especially if you’re suffering from a cold or allergies. Therefore, it’s also recommended to really look after your health and hygiene during the period after your operation. You may want to remain indoors as much as possible to avoid catching any viruses, and it’s a good idea to carry hand sanitizer with you at all times and wash your hands regularly.

3. Swimming

One of the golden rules after a nose operation is to keep your nose dry and avoid water as much as possible. This means that swimming is definitely out of the question for a patient in recovery, especially in the early weeks.

Even if you simply plan on swimming casually or wading around in the local pool with your kids, it’s best to wait for a couple of months until the cast and bandages have been removed and your nose has had time to recover.

4. Taking a Shower

Following on from the previous point, it’s also best to avoid taking showers for the first days after your surgery. Again, this is due to the fact that the treatment site and bandages on your nose need to be kept dry during the early part of recovery. If you take a shower, even with great care, it’s highly likely that your nose will get wet.

So how do you keep yourself clean? Well, it’s still possible for you to take baths to wash your body while keeping your nose dry. You can also make use of a wet cloth to gently clean your face while avoiding the treatment site around the nose.

5. Sexual Intercourse

At the start of the list, we spoke about how strenuous exercise and physical activity should be avoided, and that includes sexual activity, too. Sexual intercourse is, in many ways, a form of physical exercise that can exert a lot of muscles, leading to straining and increased blood flow around the body and into the face.

This can cause a lot of issues during recovery, such as increasing the swelling around your nose and slowing the healing process of your skin. Plus, there’s always a risk during any kind of physical activity, including sex, that you could accidentally knock or bump your nose and do some damage to the tissue and cartilage, so try to wait before being intimate with anybody.

6. Wearing Glasses

If you usually wear glasses, you may have to cope without them for some time after having your surgery. This is because the weight of the glasses on the nose can have a negative effect on the delicate tissue and cartilage in the area as it recovers from the operation.

But what if you need your glasses to drive or work? Well, you may have to consider switching to contact lenses for a while or finding some other way to get around or get your work done. Your surgeon may also be able to recommend special lightweight glasses or accessories you can use to help you see more clearly after the operation without jeopardizing the treatment site, so speak with them if you have any questions or concerns.

7. Sunbathing

Many people like to lie on the beach and soak up the sun’s rays in the warm summer months, but if you’ve just had nose surgery, the sun isn’t really your best friend. Excessive exposure to those UV rays could cause the skin around your nose to dry out and slow your healing process.

So try to avoid spending too much time out in the sun after your operation, and if you do like to sunbathe, remember to use plenty of sunscreen every time, both on your nose and elsewhere around your face and body.

8. Smoking or Drinking

Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol aren’t exactly the healthiest of activities, even at the best of times, and it’s definitely not wise to smoke or drink after having plastic surgery, as both of these activities could impair your body’s healing and recovery processes.

The nicotine in cigarettes has been shown to restrict the flow of blood and negatively impact the body’s ability to heal, while alcohol can thin the blood and may cause excess bleeding in and around the nose. So, if you like to smoke or drink as part of your regular lifestyle, try to hold off for a while until your body has had some time to heal.

9. Wearing Makeup

After the surgery, your face may be swollen or bruised, and it can take time for the swelling to go down to really see the results of the procedure in their best light. Some patients may want to make use of makeup to cover bruises and marks, or simply because they’re in the habit of wearing makeup in their day to day lives.

However, it’s definitely best to wait a little while before using any makeup. Touching your face and nose to apply makeup products can be risky, and the products themselves could contain ingredients that interfere with the healing process or increase your chances of infecting the surgery site.

10. Comedy Shows and Films

Other activities that you might want to avoid after a nose procedure is visiting comedy clubs, watching comedy shows, or doing anything that could make you laugh a lot. Of course, you are allowed to smile and be happy after the procedure, but big facial movements like laughter could cause pain in your nose and interfere with the healing process, too.

So, in those initial days and weeks after the operation, try to avoid watching any funny films or hitting up the comedy clubs. Instead, take it easy and opt for more relaxing activities like reading a book or watching a documentary on TV.

11. Touching Your Nose

Last, but certainly not least, it’s not recommended to touch, rub, poke, or prod at your nose in any way during the recovery phase. Any kind of physical contact or bump could cause physical pain, push the sensitive tissue or cartilage out of position, and potentially undo some or all of the work that your surgeon has done.

It’s normal to be curious about the results and want to touch your nose and feel how much it has changed, but it’s best to wait before doing this. Give your face some time to heal and let the swelling go down. After a short waiting period, you’ll be able to fully see, feel, and enjoy the effects of your surgery.

Contact Us Today to Learn More about Nose Jobs and Rhinoplasty Denver Recovery

Whether you want to improve your facial appearance or adjust the shape of your nose to treat a breathing difficulty, a nose job can be a great procedure to choose, but you have to follow these rules to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery. If you’re in the Denver, CO or Englewood areas and want to learn more about the procedure, our specialists will be happy to help. Call Murphy Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation.