Can You Swim or Use the Sauna 17 Days After Rhino???

Question

I was 13 days post op and ended up getting a major nose bleed. I ended up in the ER and they has to repack the left side of my nose. BRUTAL. The packing has since dissolved and I am 17 days post op. Next week I am planning to go relax at a spa resort. Could I do some little swimming (head above the water), also is it to early to use the dry SAUNA? and lastly would I be able to have a massage? Thanks feedback

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Diving and other movements through the water will shift the nose's position before it's resilient enough to handle this. For all of these reasons it's recommended that patients avoid swimming for six weeks from the time of surgery, even if you keep your head out of the water, because you never know if you might get splashed with lots of water accidentally. However, you should ask your surgeon for their advice as they may have different guidelines. 6 weeks is on the conservative end.You may also want to avoid the dry sauna. However, a massage is fine. Enjoy!

Colin Pero, MD, FACS · Answer

Seeing as you have already had a complication I would personally be a bit nervous about advising you to swim or use the sauna. Each surgeon is different as is each rhinoplasty so I would check with your doctor to find his/her preferences.  That said, you will increase your risk of infection with swimming and likely cause your swelling to be prolonged with the sauna.  I would take it easy on both.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

In general, your nose has less natural protection from the sun right after rhinoplasty. All the tissue was just elevated off of the internal structure of the nose, including the bone and cartilage, and blood vessels were coagulated in order to do this. There fore we weakened the nose's natural defense since we weakened its blood supply. This blood supply grows back , but it can take quite a bit of time to happen. In the first 6 weeks, your nose is less naturally resistant to UV rays and is more likely to burn and get discolored. Also, since your nose is mostly numb early on, its less likely that you are to notice the problem until its too late. I recommend you stay out of the sun as much as possible in the first 6 weeks after surgery. If you are in the sun for short periods of time, stay in the shade, and wear a big hat and a good sunblock. Do not wear sun glasses in the first 6 weeks, or any glasses for that matter, if osteotomies were performed, (breaking of the nasal bones). You can get your nose wet as soon as the splint comes off, but I would be careful about chlorinated pools early on until the incision is fully healed an more mature, as the chlorine can irritate the incision. The gym and anything that increases you blood pressure will increase the swelling of your nose and delay your healing time. I recommend 6 weeks for this as well. Sometimes it can take longer for your skin to mature, even a year and more in some cases. I suggest that you wear sun block for at least a year every day while out in the sun.Best Wishes, Pablo Prichard, MD

David A. Bray, Sr., MD · Answer

The sauna will be dry and I would wait a few weeks. Swimming head up is ok but, no diving. Massage is definitely good. Enjoy

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I tell my patients to limit exertional acitivity for about 4 weeks after rhinoplasty.  I do not think that dry heat froma sauma is a good idea it may lead to more swelling or worse crusting in the nose and bleeding.

Can You Swim or Use the Sauna 17 Days After Rhino???

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Answer: Sauna

Answer: Sauna

Answer: Exercise after rhinoplasty

Answer: Exercise after rhinoplasty

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Can You Swim or Use the Sauna 17 Days After Rhino???

Answers (8)

Answer: Sauna

Answer: Sauna

Answer: Exercise after rhinoplasty

Answer: Exercise after rhinoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.