When it comes to cosmetic surgery, there are some inevitable side effects that are caused by the trauma of the operation. Bruising is an extremely common phenomenon following surgery, particularly rhinoplasty. This bruising is concentrated on the nose and the eye area and can take quite a while to fade, making many patients uneasy about leaving the house during recovery.
While bruising cannot be entirely avoided following rhinoplasty or secondary rhinoplasty, many Cincinnati rhinoplasty patients are understandably interested in minimizing the bruising as much as possible. But is there a way to help prevent bruising as a patient? And can you help speed recovery for bruising that does occur?
What causes bruising after a rhinoplasty?
Bruising is a common side effect of any major surgery, particularly when it occurs in an area that contains many blood vessels such as the nose. Subsequently, rhinoplasty typically results in considerable bruising.
Rhinoplasty bruising is usually caused by the surgical procedure itself since it can cause disruption in the blood flow close to the surgical area.
In the area where surgery was done, small blood vessels burst and leak, causing bruises and swelling, resulting in a red and puffy look.
Nevertheless, there are numerous explanations for why a rhinoplasty might cause larger and longer-lasting bruising, for instance too much exertion or hemorrhaging during surgery, improper surgical methods, or aftermath from the treatment.
Nose job patients who demonstrate significant bruising should consult a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment.
How severe is the bruising after a rhinoplasty?
To know the magnitude of bruises after a rhinoplasty procedure, one must consider what was done to the nose and if the patient bruised conspicuously. Before the operation, we can lessen some of it by educating patients to circumvent consuming aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, or other substances that depress blood consistency, as well as dietary supplements such as fish oil. We also recommend avoiding alcohol before surgery. All these components may provoke extreme discoloration.
Nose Job Pre-Operative Prevention
To help reduce bruising before surgery, it is important to keep yourself healthy and follow any stipulations from your surgeon. This may include abstaining from smoking or drinking days before surgery and avoiding both prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal supplements due to their potential risks and effects on the process of healing.
Be sure to disclose all the medications and supplements you take to your surgeon, even if you only take them intermittently or they do not seem important to mention.
What is the role of the rhinoplasty surgeon?
Rhinoplasty is an extremely difficult procedure that can help repair deformities from an injury, correct a birth defect or improve some breathing difficulties. And the surgeon’s skill has an impact on the healing process as well as on the results of the procedure. Precision in surgical technique, experience, and the surgeon’s own style all have an impact on the side effects patients can experience. Additionally, some patients are just more prone to bruising than others.
Because a nose job is an extremely custom procedure, there are many different techniques that may be used to yield the desired results for each patient. Some patients require extensive changes that involve breaking and resetting the bone, manipulating nasal passages, and altering the framework of the nose. In contrast, others only require simple changes to the nasal tip.
Techniques such as breaking the nasal bones are naturally more prone to extensive bruising after the procedure, but Dr. Donath is able to minimize or prevent this in almost all cases. Some people believe that the closed rhinoplasty approach (no external incisions) produces less bruising than the “open” method (small incision between the nostrils) of rhinoplasty, however, there are significant benefits of the open technique, and it is appropriate for many different patients.
With a highly experienced surgeon, there is less risk of excessive bruising and swelling.
How Long Nose Bruising Lasts
The amount of recovery time it takes for bruising to go away after rhinoplasty will vary, depending on things like the intensity of the bruise and how quickly you heal.
Due to this, every patient who undergoes rhinoplasty has a different recovery period due to the extent of surgery. But in general, here is what you can anticipate during an average recovery period.
Nose Bruising: The First Few Days of Recovery
Not long after receiving rhinoplasty surgery, patients may notice bruising, appearing reddish because of the oxygen in the blood. Therefore, it may take until the following day to discover the entire degree of bruising since it can take some time for the oxygen from the incisions that have been infiltrated into tissues to go away and alter its shade.
After 1-2 days, the bruising will be visible and usually discolored in shades of purple, blue, or sometimes even black. This discoloration will typically remain dark for a few days
Nose Bruising: Five Days Later
Five days after surgery, you may start to see the bruising diminishing. If the bruises were significant, it may take longer for them to fade away.
A fading bruise will begin to look greenish and less purple. As the bruise fades, it will continue to lighten in color.
Nose Bruising: One Week Later
Within 7-10 days, the bruise may start changing from green to a yellowish-brown shade.
Bruising will continue to fade as the body heals.
Nose Bruising: Two to Three Weeks Later
For most patients, it’ll take two to three weeks for their bruises to completely disappear. People with only mild bruising should expect full fading after a shorter time and those who have very severe bruising will likely take longer for all signs of it to vanish.
Tips for reducing bruising after nose job surgery
These helpful tips will help you manage and reduce bruising and swelling after rhinoplasty:
- Your facial plastic surgeon will provide detailed instructions for recovery. Follow the instructions closely. If you need help or if you have a concern, you can always contact your specialist to answer any questions you have throughout the complete recovery process after surgery.
- Avoid blood-thinning medications. To ensure your safety during and after surgery, it is recommended to avoid blood thinners (whether prescription or over-the-counter such as aspirin and ibuprofen) both before and after. If you usually take a blood thinner, inform your doctor before the procedure.
- Some supplements and herbal remedies can increase bleeding and thin the blood. Inform your rhinoplasty surgeon about any supplements, medications, or herbal products you use.
- To reduce swelling after surgery, ice packs should be applied to your cheeks numerous times a day within the first few days. Apply cold compresses to your cheeks several times a day to help the bruising recovery.
- To decrease the swelling post – surgery, it could help to maintain a slightly raised head. In fact, for the initial two weeks after surgery, many individuals find it helpful to sleep in a tilted back chair.
- Refrain from smoking for several weeks prior to and following your surgery.
- Keep hydrated, since it helps blood circulation, and with that, gives you faster healing.
- Be Patient. The best advice for dealing with swelling and bruising after nose surgery is simple, be patient. Though swelling can be unpleasant, it usually subsides in a few weeks. Bruising is uncommon and resolves quickly. If you’re doubtful of your rhinoplasty results, stay patient. After the swelling disappears, a lot of people are delighted with their new appearance.
If Bruising Doesn’t Go Away
Bruises, although severe ones may take a bit longer to heal, typically disappear within 2 weeks. By the end of that time, you should notice clear progress.
Sometimes, bruising can be an indication that something is wrong. If any of the following occur, call your doctor for advice:
- If bruising continues to worsen after the first week
- If bruising is accompanied by severe nose pain that increases or fails to get better
- If swelling becomes lumpy
- If you see blood in your urine or stool
Bruising after rhinoplasty is normal and nothing to be worried about, as this is just the body’s way of healing.
Advice from an Expert
If you would like to discuss the possibility of rhinoplasty with a qualified plastic surgeon, then it may be time to start setting up consultations. When searching for the best rhinoplasty surgeon in Cincinnati, it is important to research their credentials and experience. Because the procedure is so complex, you should meet only with board-certified facial plastic surgeons who specialize in rhinoplasty, like Dr. Donath.
Dr. Donath has a passion for nose job surgeries and has proven his ability to help patients of diverse backgrounds achieve natural-looking, custom results. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Donath for a Rhinoplasty Cincinnati , call Donath Facial Plastic Surgery at (513) 891-5438 today.
