How necessary is it to sleep on my back while upright after rhinoplasty? Would keeping my splint on longer help with healing?

Question

I’ve been trying to sleep upright and on my back to prepare for what is expected after surgery, but I am really struggling. I’ve tried reclining chairs, propping pillows around my body, using an airplane pillow, etc. However, I always wake up part way through the night in pain. I think I can handle being propped up on my side, but not my back. How much will this impact my recovery? Also, I will be off for a month after my surgery. Would it benefit me to keep my splint on for more than a week?

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

You can recover on your side, but the key is to keep your head above the level of your chest after rhinoplasty. No one in 20 years has affected their healing while asleep after rhinoplasty. Don't worry. Dr Joseph

John K. Wakelin III, MD, FACS · Answer

Since each rhinoplasty surgery is different, I strongly recommend following your surgeon's postoperative instructions.  I typically recommend that my patients sleep with their head elevated for the first 2-3 nights to help decrease swelling.  I also remove splints after a week in most cases.  Nonetheless, your surgeon may have reasons to recommend different postoperative care, so you should follow his or her recommendations.  Best of luck!

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. Each doctor's post op recommendations are different, for my patients I recommend sleeping on their back with elevated position for the first week, so that the swellings go down with the help of the gravitation. They should keep sleeping on their back for two more months to protect their noses. The cast is removed 7 days after discharging from the hospital. To find out more please click on the attached link.Best Regards

Guncel Ozturk, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hey there,
We surgeons know that the first week after the operation can be really annoying for the patients. Just hang on few days then you should be good to sleep on your side as long as you be careful not to bump the nose. Best of luck.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

It is important to sleep on your back with your head elevated after rhinoplasty.  It’s not comfortable but it is important.  Time off work and time to keep the splint on will be up to your surgeon.  I leave the splint on for one week.

How necessary is it to sleep on my back while upright after rhinoplasty? Would keeping my splint on longer help with healing?

Answers (5)