Most people need about a week of downtime (home from work with no major social engagements) after surgery.Â
“For the first week, because of surgical swelling, [your nose is] going to feel very stuffy, like [you have] a bad sinus infection,” warns Dr. Portuese. You may also notice numbness or aching in your upper teeth.
To manage the discomfort, you can use ice packs, saline rinses, and over-the-counter pain medication or whatever your doctor prescribes for you.Â
“Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin,” warns Dr. Portuese. “They’re blood thinners and can lead to nosebleeds.”Â
“Most surgeons use silicon based stents (internal splints) for about one week following the surgery. The splints usually have a tunnel, enabling the patient to breathe through them during this recovery phase,” says Dr. Jacob Sedgh, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, California. “Most pain and discomfort is reported during the first week while the splints are sutured inside the nose. Many surgeons prescribe an oral antibiotic and a low grade narcotic pain medication during this time.”
After a week, you’ll have the stents removed. This may feel like gentle tugging but shouldn’t be painful.Â
Keep your head elevated (especially when sleeping) for at least the first week. You'll also need to avoid smoking, hot drinks, spicy food, and alcohol for a week or two. And try not to blow your nose until your surgeon says you've healed enough for it to be safe.
Over these first few weeks, it’s not uncommon to still have some bleeding and discharge. The best way to manage a nosebleed is to tilt your head forward slightly and breathe through your mouth, spitting out blood if necessary. (Any excessive bleeding requires a follow-up with your doctor, who may pack the nasal cavity with gauze.)
“Most patients resume work and regular activity in the second week,” says Dr. Sedgh. “There’s usually minimal pain at this phase.”
You’ll need to limit your physical activity for several weeks after surgery, to minimize swelling and promote healing, or until your doctor says you’re good to go. This includes most forms of intense exercise, because they may increase your blood pressure and lead to nosebleeds.Â
It's also smart to abstain from sex for the first week; some doctors recommend waiting three to four weeks simply because you could inadvertently hit your nose.Â
Check with your doctor before any airplane travel and—until your nose has healed—try to stay away from people who have colds, because you’re at higher risk of developing a sinus infection.
