I work in Healthcare wear an n95 for many hours. I've just had rhinoplasty and will be back at work 1.5 months. Is this ok?

Question

I had closed rhinoplasty with rib graft. Is 1.5 months sufficient? I can't take anymore time off work. I can sometimes wear a mask 5 hours+

Mark Baldwin, MBBS · Answer

You'll need to ask your surgeon, who should have already discussed this with you preop. N95's are an issue, I'm convinced I've seen at least one patient where they caused a problem, and I had spent a lot of effort making a really solid structure in that case as I knew the patient was a nurse!

Zachary Farhood, MD · Answer

I would consult with your surgeon regarding tight mask wearing after rhinoplasty.  In my practice I usually allow patients to resume n95 mask use/glasses/goggles/etc at the 6 week mark.

Ozan Erol, MD · Answer

After two months the surgery (primary or revision) you can wear the mask. It wont be a problem for you. Best

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

It should be ok to wear mask after rhinoplasty surgery. However, it is better to check with your surgeon, who knows about your nasal bone stability before doing so.

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Thank you for your question. N95 masks apply the pressure predominantly on the bridge and spare the tip through their configuration. 
This means that at 1 1/2 months following surgery you should be safe to wear the mask for prolonged periods of time. I am not sure that the mask is effective for five hours so depending on your degree of exposure you may want to check on this.
I suggest using sinus rinse before and after work and for a few months into your recovery as the masks sometimes release some fine particles of their own with prolonged use, and they could be a bit irritating.

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.As far as I can understand your question, after 2 months there would be no issue but you can take more convenient answer from your surgeon who done your surgery. Best Regards!

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your query. Six weeks are sufficient for recovery from a rhinoplasty procedure. The only additional care may be to not pinch the clip on the mask too tight. Please discuss your concerns with your Plastic surgeon before resuming work. All the best!

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

I understand your concern, and I know that n95 masks fit very tightly and can be uncomfortable. Although your nose is still swollen and firm masks can displace swelling and cause temporary indentations in your nasal appearance, but would not lead to permanent indentations at this point after surgery, in my opinion. Hope this is helpful! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. The best person to ask that question is your surgeon. They will know more about the structural integrity of your nose than anyone here, and what sort of external forces can be safely applied without causing an issue. Having said that, I have performed rhinoplasty on many medical professionals in the same situation, and often after 4-6 weeks things have stabilized sufficiently that a properly fitting mask can be safely applied, but sometimes longer depending on my knowledge of the individual's anatomy. One suggestion that I provide universally, is to wear the soft, pliable N95 mask that 3M makes. It applies significantly less pressure over the nasal bridge than other common varieties. Hope this helps.
Best,Dr. Tower

Thomas Spalla, MD · Answer

I assume that you're asking if you can wear a mask on your nose at work 6 weeks after rhinoplasty.
If I'm correct, that's generally enough time to allow a mask to be worn. However, check with your surgeon for their recommendations/guidance as this is ultimately a decision the two of you will have to make.

I make my rhinoplasty patients avoid glasses for 6 weeks after rhinoplasty.
Masks can be tricky. Some masks, like the ones that loop behind the ears, exert no pressure on the nose and may be fine earlier. I will personally sit with my patients and check the fit of any mask.

Other masks and respirators can significant pressure on the nose and may not be suitable for wear for months after a rhinoplasty.

Bring in the mask(s) to your surgeon and seek their direct expertise.

I work in Healthcare wear an n95 for many hours. I've just had rhinoplasty and will be back at work 1.5 months. Is this ok?

Answers (11)

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