Playing an instrument after rhinoplasty?

Question

I play the clarinet in my high schools marching and concert band and I am scheduled to have a rhinoplasty this summer.I just want to know how long after the surgery will I be able to get back to playing my instrument? and will my ability to play be affected in any way/shape/form? I'm starting to worry that I will lose my ability to play my instrument at a high level after the surgery. thank you for any help/advice

Babak Azizzadeh, MD · Answer

Great question! With regards to post-rhinoplasty recommendations, it’s always best to ask your surgeon directly in case they have any recommendations that are specific to your case. Generally speaking, I would consider playing an instrument, similar to other physical activity after surgery. I recommend that my patients allow for about a month before resuming exercise (or in your case playing the clarinet). It’s important to allow your body time to put any extra energy it has into healing. I always tell my patients that when they do begin to exercise (or play the clarinet) to start off slow and be aware of how their body is feeling. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to listen to those cues and back off. My patients always have success with resuming their normal activities, as long as they start off slow and build up to their pre-surgery activity level

James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS · Answer

This is really a great questions and thank you for asking.  My primary assumption in your question is that you are having a rhinoplasty to change form and function of your nose.  Better stated, I am working with the assumption that you're nasal breathing will be improved after your surgical procedure.  Commonly patients who undergo rhinoplasty surgery and my practice for functional reasons we will have significant airway improvement immediately afterwards.  This improves over time and a region baseline of nasal airway improvement 5-6 weeks after their surgery.  As far as professional music playing I would recommend refraining from playing the musical instrument for at least several weeks until the line share of healing has occurred inside the nose.  Of course, there are a number of assumptions I made and my statement and these are particulars that our best answered by your surgeon.Be healthy and be well,James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS

Paul L. Leong, MD, FACS · Answer

Although this is not a very commonly asked question in my practice, it is a great question. Because playing the clarinet requires exerting energy by blowing into the instrument, this action should not resume until approximately a month after surgery. It is important to ease back into physical or normal activity after surgery and not start off too strong.  Raising the pressure inside the nose by blowing on a wind instrument could slightly increase the risk of a post-op injection. The last thing the patient and surgeon would want to happen is disrupting the healing process and hindering the results.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

After a rhinoplasty procedure, it's important not to raise your heart rate or blood pressure with any type of exercise to prevent a nose bleed.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

There will certainly be some modification to nasal airflow after rhinoplasty.  Usually air flow is better but it may not always be the case.  I do not think that any guarentees can be given in this regard.

Playing an instrument after rhinoplasty?

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Answer: Exercise and playing an instrument after a rhinoplasty

Answer: Exercise and playing an instrument after a rhinoplasty

Answer: Nasal airflow can change after rhinoplasty

Answer: Nasal airflow can change after rhinoplasty

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Playing an instrument after rhinoplasty?

Answers (5)

Answer: Exercise and playing an instrument after a rhinoplasty

Answer: Exercise and playing an instrument after a rhinoplasty

Answer: Nasal airflow can change after rhinoplasty

Answer: Nasal airflow can change after rhinoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.