What Diet prior to Rhinoplasty Will Help with Swelling?

 

Of course, you want to reduce the likelihood of swelling and bruising around the eyes after rhinoplasty; every patient and surgeon wants as little of that as possible.

The most important things are:


•    Take no medications with aspirin. 
•    Ask your surgeon for a list of medications to be avoided starting 10 days before rhinoplasty

Some believe that arnica, begun one day before rhinoplasty, may help reduce bruising or swelling, but no science supports that yet.

My recommendations:


•    Have a calm first 48 hours after rhinoplasty surgery
•    No telephone conversations or visitors
•    Relax in bed with your head elevated 30 degrees to help drain blood from the face
•    Use ice packs if that is what your doctor recommends

The best thing is to ask your doctor what you can and cannot do and what has worked best for his patients, and hopefully you will have a prompt recovery. 


Robert Kotler, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic Surgeon
Author, SECRETS OF A BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC SURGEON

 

In general following a basic healthy diet before and after surgery will help promote healing. I definitely find that following a low sodium diet after surgery (1500 mg or less a day) helps the postoperative tissue swelling improve faster. Some people find that taking arnica and bromelin supplements a few weeks before and after surgery helps with bruising as well.