Rhinoplasty Q&A
80%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
1,003 Reviews
Rhinoplastybefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Rhinoplasty Cost: $5,975

Learn about Rhinoplasty

5,053 people and 803 doctors are talking about Rhinoplasty

Get Free Email Updates

Is It Ok to Use Salt and Water on a Sore Throat After Rhinoplasty?

asked 4 months ago by Harriiii
Latest answer by Peter E. Johnson, MD
Question viewed 163 times
Tags: 1 week post-op, homeopathic, sore, throat

I had rhinoplasty 5 days ago and my throat is SO painful (left side) it hurts to swallow and even breathe as my nose is blocked up. I was wondering what I should do? I've heard that salt water helps but will it increase swelling? Thank you.

6 answers to Is It Ok to Use Salt and Water on a Sore Throat After Rhinoplasty?

+1

Sore throat after rhinoplasty

Sore throat is usually caused by the anesthesia during rhinoplasty, and salt water is very safe to sooth the discomfort. Cold air humidity can help, and you can also use lozenges, an old standby. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sore throat after rhinoplasty

Gargling some salt water will not cause your swelling to increase. This close to your procedure suggests that the sore throat may be from the endotracheal tube used in the anesthesia. If the soreness persists or gets worse, then you should see your doctor.
William H. Gorman, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

www.whgormanmd.com

+1

Throat soreness is common after general anesthetic for Rhinoplasty Surgery.

If your sore throat has been present since you awoke in the recovery room, it's likely from the orotracheal tube used during your procedure. If your sore throat appeared several days after your surgery, you may have tonsillitis which may require antibiotics. In that regard, you may want to visit your surgeon for evaluation. I like Chloraseptic red lozenges with benzocaine (follow package directions), for acute sore throat relief. Hope this is helpful. Dr. Joseph more
Eric M. Joseph, MD

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

+1

Sore throat after rhinoplasty--what to do?

After rhinoplasty (or any surgery), a sore throat is usually due to the laryngeal mask or endotracheal tube used by your anesthesia provider to protect your airway and provide oxygen and sometimes anesthetic gases during surgery. Irritation can result from these necessary devices, and each patient may have different degrees of throat soreness ranging from none at all to severe. Salt water gargles will cause no harm and can help to relieve mild symptoms. 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Salt and water after rhinoplasty

Gargling with salt water after rhinoplasty is fine. The soreness may be from the breathing tube (if you had one), but it could also be a virus which can produce some throat ulcerations which could take 1-2 weeks to heal. If so the important thing is for you to make sure you don't get dehydrated. So, somehow you need to keep drinking electrolytes.
Ronald Schuster, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Salt water gargling after Rhinoplasty

Gargling with salt water to relieve a sore throat will not hurt anything. Most after surgery sore throats are related to having the Anesthesia tube there. However, to be sure please see your surgeon. You may have a throat infection. Which would need to be treated with antibiotics.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question