Why Aren't There Any Good Treatments for Swelling?

With all the amazing, seemingly impossible things plastic surgeons can do it amazes me that they seems to have no good treatment for swelling. I had a rhinoplasty two weeks ago, and since I having a pretty thin face, the swelling is more noticeable on me than it would be on someone with wider features. What is it about swelling that makes it so untreatable? How could it possibly be easier to carve a human face than treat swelling? Is there really nothing to do but wait? Thanks!!

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swelling 2 weeks post-op

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by ArtGirl23

Doctor Answers (6)
Community Comments (1)

Post operative swelling

Swelling is part of the natural healing process and it will resolve on its own with time. Doctors do have a way of treating or preventing swelling, by using steroids at the time of surgery. In fact, your surgeon may have done that as it is often part of a surgeon's routine. Otherwise, it take patience, which is why you are referred to as a "patient". Don't worry, swelling always goes away.

Swelling

Swelling occurs with almost any surgery due to the response to trauma as well as the disruption of lymphatic channels.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

What to do about swelling after rhinoplasty

This is a very common concern for patients. The best thing to do about swelling is to have patience! I know it's difficult, but this is the body's natural form of healing. For most patients, this swelling resolves with time. However, certain patients with thick skin or certain revision rhinoplasty patients, the swelling can take a very long time. Up to 2 years! for these patients, I sometimes use small, limited amounts of steroid injections. These should be used carefully, as they can cause... more

Reduction in swelling after rhinoplasty

Thanks for the question. Obviously you should check with your surgeon, but there are certainly ways to minimize swelling after surgery. At 4-6 weeks out, I occasionally perform a Kenalog (steroid) injection for patients who are swollen in the tip of the nose and just above the tip. Taping and icing the nose are sometimes useful. On your part, avoiding excess salt, alcohol, and sleeping with your head elevated can also help. It does take several months or even a year after rhinoplasty for all... more

No Treatments for Swelling after Rhinoplasty

Steroids can be given at the time of rhinoplasty surgery. However, giving steroid injections early and often is not recommended due to risks of atrophy and skin pigmentation changes. In addition, prolonged oral steroid consumption has a litany of side effects. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Why Aren't There Any Good Treatments for Swelling?

First you must sleep with an inclination of 45 degrees, is also good to do lymphatic drainage massage.

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Comments (1)

ArtGirl23 19 Jan 2013

I'd heard doctors sometimes do steroid injections for swelling. Why not do it regularly though? Are there drawbacks or bad side effects to the injections? Are they very expensive?

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