Just had septorhinoplasty on Friday. For the last two days I keep waking up sleeping on the side. Will this ruin my results?

Question

I don't know what to do. I feel like there is so much pain and pressure right. Now. I don't know what to do to stay sleeping on my back. I'm so frustrated because I really really don't want to do that and make sure I have optimum results. I think subconsciously I'm used to it because I've been sleeping on the side since my nose broke In 2009. Help :( I feel like it's going to ruin my results

Kevin M. Robertson, MD, FACS · Answer

First let me tell you that you can relax about your sleeping pattern. There has never been any evidence that supports the requirement to sleep on your back, just a series of suggestions.  Like all other rhino docs, I will tell my patients to sleep with at least a 30 degree upright angle for the first couple of nights in order to reduce initial swelling.  But many of my patients wake up on one side or the other, so your story is not uncommon.  When you wake up, there is usually a little setback because of new swelling, but that tends to resolve and then further refine for the rest of the day.  That will be accentuated on one side, the low side, if you happen to roll over during the night.  Normal human physiology.The key is first to relax.  Your nose will turn out fine, and the best medicine is time.  Second, do your best.  Sleeping upright helps, but everyone tosses and turns to some degree.  So don't beat yourself up for doing what your body wants to do.  Third, focus on getting quality sleep.  A sleepless night in a rigid, upright position is far worse for you than a restful side sleep.  So try to begin your rest in a midline upright position and then drift into a quality, rejuvenative sleep.  And finally, try a little nasal hygiene right before you go to sleep. That means one good clean of your surgical incisions, some nasal saline to rinse out debris and provide a more valuable nasal airway.  That should help open up your breathing and provide an easier rest.

Adam Bryce Weinfeld, MD · Answer

As long as  you  do not wake up on your side with your nose pressed against the bed or pillow, you will not likely cause permanent damage to your nose. That being said, you may cause increased swelling to one side or the other based on which side you sleep.  You may want to try sleeping in a recliner or wedging pillows along your sides to minimize risk of rolling onto your side while sleeping.

Just had septorhinoplasty on Friday. For the last two days I keep waking up sleeping on the side. Will this ruin my results?

Answers (2)

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