Congestion after rhinoplasty. Is there anything over the counter or otherwise I can do to clear this out faster?

Hello,It's perfectly normal to have nasal congestion this soon after your rhinoplasty.  Keep in mind that along with the external soft tissues of the nose, the internal (mucosal) tissues of the nose are also susceptible to post surgical swelling.  At this point, I usually recommend to my patients to use nasal saline spray as often as possible.  I recommend following up with your surgeon so he can reassure you and possibly recommend some other treatment options. Regards,

Congestion is normal after rhinoplasty, especially if any work is done on the septum,  Avoid nose blowing and use a saline nasal spray like Ocean brand. No Afrin please.  Speedy recovery to you.

Thank you for your question, blnd88dc. It is great to hear that you are having a smooth recovery and keep in mind that the stuffy nose is typical. I suggest you consult with your board certified facial plastic surgeon as to their recommended medications and healing process.Best wishes,

It is normal to have difficulty breathing after rhinoplasty. When it comes to treatment, however, it is best to follow your surgeons recommendations.

It is completely normal to have congestion at this stage in your recovery. Typically this takes several weeks to resolve as there is both internal and external swelling present. Frequently there is some crusting that contributes to the nasal congestion and this can be addressed by using saline nasal spray to aid in their removal. Make sure that you are following up with your rhinoplasty specialist to see if they have any additional suggestions.