Can I smile/laugh/yawn after septorhinoplasty?

Sometimes, actions such as laughing, smiling, or yawning are
completely unavoidable and not under your control. Though they will not
necessarily “ruin” your results, I would advise you to try not to exaggerate
any facial movement and to keep it as minimal as possible. And, if you do
laugh, smile, or yawn, do not be overly worried about the consequences as they
are greatly unlikely to have an actual negative impact on your results.

Understandably you do not want to do anything to negatively affect your surgical outcome, but typically movements such as laughing, smiling and yawning are not easily controlled and should not have an effect on your postoperative results.  If there is soreness with those movements in the early post-operative period, I would try and limit extreme movements for your own comfort. Additionally, I usually recommend patient's refrain from strenuous physical activity for the 2 weeks after surgery.

Regarding: "Laughing/Smiling/Yawning After Septorhinoplasty
Can I laugh/smile/yawn after septo and rhinoplasty? Will this ruin my results? I still have my splint on and I am 4 days post-op. It was an open rhinoplasty - the tip was further defined and the hump was removed."

I fully understand your hesitation to "do anything wrong" that may destroy or impact on your operation. But - if the repair of your nose was so poor and fragile that you could not afford to breath, smile or yawn, you would have much greater things to worry about.

While I would advise you not to engage in physical activity which would raise your blood pressure in the first 3-4 weeks and avoid sports or activities where your nose may be hit for 4-6 months, I see nothing wrong with smiling or yawning.

So, go ahead and smile! The worst is over.

Dr. Aldea

I advise patients to avoid strenuous activites for 2-3 weeks after rhinoplasty. I define "strenuous" as anything that raises the blood pressure, pulse, or breathing rate. Avoid activities with a risk of nasal trauma for 6 weeks. Normal laughing, smiling, or yawning will not violate any of these restrictions.