Your Recovery at Home

Your recovery at home is crucial for achieving good outcomes from your surgery. This video guides you through post-operative care, activity restrictions, and long-term treatment requirements. Sleep sitting upright, or in a reclined position, for the first few nights after surgery. This is the most comfortable position, and prevents accidental trauma to your nose during sleep. Sleeping upright also helps with reducing bleeding and makes breathing easier until we remove the nasal splints. Avoid hot showers and baths for one full week after your surgery. Heat increases swelling and significantly raises bleeding risk in the early post-operative period. Use lukewarm water for washing yourself instead - Keep your face dry and avoid any steam exposure from hot water; cooking; or other sources during this critical first week of healing. During the first week after surgery - avoid working, including working from home; using public transport; attending social events; playing sport; experiencing stress; and eating heavy meals. Gentle walks in the open air are perfectly acceptable and encouraged. However, please avoid walking in extreme weather conditions - such as very hot, cold, or windy days. Do not perform heavy weightlifting for 3 months after your surgery. Your body needs adequate time to heal internally, and the surgical sites must strengthen properly. Premature heavy lifting significantly increases bleeding risk and can potentially damage your surgical results. Be patient with your recovery process and allow your body to heal at its natural pace. Avoid smoking for at least three weeks after surgery to allow for sufficient healing time. Smoking dramatically impairs wound healing, and substantially increases your infection risk after surgery. Ideally, stop smoking completely and permanently. This includes avoiding vaping; shisha; e-cigarettes; and any recreational smoking substances that contain harmful chemicals. If heavy bleeding occurs unexpectedly at home: call nine-nine-nine immediately, or go directly to your nearest NHS emergency department. As soon as you can - please also inform my team by telephone or email so we can provide support during the situation. No specific or special diet is required after your surgery: Simply eat healthy, nutritious food and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water during the first two weeks. Good nutrition and adequate hydration actively support healing, and can help prevent infections. However, continue avoiding very hot temperature foods that could increase bleeding risk during the early recovery period. My personal assistant will arrange your follow up appointment for seven to ten days after surgery. During this appointment the removal splints, any external casts and non-dissolving sutures can be done by me or a specialised nurse in my clinic. No special preparation is needed - the procedure is quick and provides an immediate relief when combined with clearing of nasal secretions. Avoid air travel for six weeks after surgery if at all possible - However, if unavoidable travel is absolutely required - wait at least three full weeks before flying. Air pressure changes during takeoff and landing can cause complications during the early healing stages. Discuss any essential travel plans with my team well in advance for personalised guidance. After rhinoplasty surgery - do not wear prescription glasses or sunglasses for three full months. Glasses can cause visible indentations on your nose due to post-surgical swelling. Arrange contact lenses, or alternative vision correction for this three-month period. Also - please use high SPF fifty suncream on your nose when exposed to sunlight during this time. Sinus surgery sometimes requires revision surgery. This is why careful discussion beforehand is important, so we share realistic expectations. For the first three weeks - do no physical activities beyond gentle strolls in the open air. Between three and six weeks, you may enjoy steady cardio exercise like running; cycling; and swimming. Beyond six weeks, return to normal activities - except heavy weightlifting and contact sports. After three months, resume all activities, but rhinoplasty patients should avoid contact sports for longer. For septoplasty and rhinoplasty patients, use nasal cream or ointment for one month after surgery and perform daily nasal rinse for twelve full months. Sinus surgery patients need twice-daily rinses for one year, then daily rinses indefinitely. Also - use topical steroid drops, or sprays to help prevent recurrence. Following these instructions carefully can help you achieve good results from your surgery. If you have any concerns during your recovery or questions about your care - please contact my team. We are here to support you throughout your healing journey.