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Post Rhinoplasty, Snot, Booger, Glasses, Stitches?

3 weeks post op rhinoplasty, is it normal to have clunks of snot..lol..its gross..i also have this string that im not sure if its a booger or stitches but every time i try top pull on it(carefully)it feels like the the wall of my nose(the middle bit) is going to cave in.. scary..would my stiches have all desolved by now..and how long should i wait until im suppose to blow my nose or am able to wear glasses??? also could touching it affect the shape outcome???

Doctor Answers 4

July 17th, 2012

Sutures And Crusting After Rhinoplasty

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Hello,

Post-op nasal crusts and clunks of snot occur normally after the rhinoplasty; using nasal saline spray to wash your inner nose is pretty useful and it will improve your nasal breathing.

As for the stitches, I am not too sure if what you were "pulling on" is actually a stitch or not; dissolving stitches can take up to 2 months to be completely gone.

Finally, glasses are to be worn taped on the forehead through their bridges (normal wearing at about 2-3 months post surgery) while touching the nose is is to be done gently if necessary.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for your inquiry.

The best of luck to you.

Dr. Sajjadian

Learn more: http://www.DrSajjadian.com

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS
May 28th, 2012

Postop crusting and instructions following rhinoplasty.

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Nasal crusting following rhinoplasty is very common.  Saline irrigation is the best way to cleanse and minimize nasal crusting.  Before three weeks I recommend no blowing the nose.  At three weeks you can begin to blow lightly.  Do not attempt to remove these crusts by inserting your finger or other objects deep into your nostrils.  The string you feel is an internal suture which will resorb on its own.  Do not pull on any of the sutures.  Due to the pressure that glasses place on the bridge of the nose, my recommendation is that they be avoided.  If necessary, they can be worn by using tape to suspend the bridge segment of the glasses from the forehead thereby removing pressure on the bridge of the nose. 

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC.

 

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS
Denver Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 120 reviews

May 23rd, 2012

Crusting and sutures after rhinoplasty

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It is not uncommon to have some crusting 3 weeks after rhinoplasty.  It is  somewhat uncomfortable, and this is the reason why I try to remove most of it for my patients on the first postoperative visit at 1 week. The string that you are feeling inside the nose is most likely a septal suture, which is absorbable.  Don't pull on it, it should resorb in another week or so.  I recommend that my patients don't wear heavy glasses for about 4 weeks after splint removal so not to pinch in the nasal bones.  Touching your nose is quite ok, and gentle nose blowing is fine at this juncture.

Alexander Ovchinsky, MD
May 22nd, 2012

Postoperative rhinoplasty questions

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Hi,

 

The crusts and 'snot' is normal after rhinoplasty and stitches can persist for 3-6 weeks depending on the person.  As far as glasses and touching the nose is concerned, it depends on whether implants were placed or your nose was broken.  Bones start to set around 3 weeks so it should be safe but asking your surgeon is the best course of action.

Mike Majmundar, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.