Returning to healthcare field after rhinoplasty?

Question

Rhinoplasty date 7/15. I‘m worried 2 weeks off work may not be enough. I work in a fast paced healthcare setting, making sudden movements & face to face with my own pts. Worried this may be too strenuous at 2 weeks s/p surgery and may delay my healing process? Due to COVID, we wear surgical masks at work. Could wearing a mask could be problematic? Also getting married 1 month s/p surgery. Wondering whether it’s safe to apply makeup 1 month post op & how swollen I’ll be. Thank you!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear TShiv,
there is a chance that prolonged wearing mask will have an effect on your rhinoplasty results. Every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It is certainly acceptable to go back to work in the healthcare field after a rhinoplasty procedure. Two weeks of time off is plenty enough time to get back to work. It certainly acceptable to wear a surgical mask over your nose.

Michael J. Yaremchuk, MD (license resigned) · Answer

You should be able to go back to work in 2 weeks as long as you do not get hit in the nose. Wearing of the mask is an interesting question which is unique to Covid times. If the bones need to be fractured, putting pressure on them can theoretically shift them while they’re healing.

Returning to healthcare field after rhinoplasty?

Answers (3)