While rhinoplasty itself is painless due to anaesthesia, patients experience a range of sensations afterward, from mild discomfort to moderate pain, primarily within the first week after surgery.
This discomfort is typically described more as a feeling of pressure or congestion rather than sharp pain, due to swelling and the nasal packing that might be used. The intensity of pain tends to decrease significantly after the first few days, with many patients transitioning to over-the-counter pain relievers. By the end of the first week, most discomfort is manageable without strong medication.
Anaesthesia removes the pain during surgery
Depending on the complexity of the surgery and your personal health, your surgeon will recommend either general anaesthesia, where you will be asleep throughout the procedure, or local anaesthesia combined with sedation, numbing only the specific area while you remain relaxed and sedated to the level you wish.
The choice of anaesthesia is carefully made to ensure your utmost comfort and safety, removing the pain from your surgical experience.
Discomfort post-op
Following rhinoplasty, once the anaesthesia subsides, it’s completely normal to experience some discomfort and swelling. These sensations are usually most intense during the first few days after the surgery. This is a natural part of the healing process as your body begins to recover from the procedure. It’s important that you continue following your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions carefully, even as the pain starts to diminish. Pay special attention to your head position—bending over can increase discomfort, while keeping your head elevated will help you stay more comfortable.
Individual experiences of pain
Everyone has their own experience of pain; it is not perceived the same by everyone. While some may find the post-operative discomfort minimal and easily manageable, others might experience it more intensely. Factors influencing pain perception include individual pain tolerance and the extent of the surgical adjustments.
Manage discomfort and pain after rhinoplasty
Managing post-operative discomfort and pain effectively can significantly impact your recovery experience and the overall outcome of your rhinoplasty.
- Follow your surgeon's advice
- Take the prescribed pain medication
- Avoid bending over
- Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet
- Avoid strenuous activities
Raise any concerns with your doctor
Maintain an open and honest communication with your surgical doctor throughout your recovery. If you have concerns about the level of pain you are experiencing, or if you notice symptoms that don't seem to align with the expected recovery process, this needs to be raised with your doctor immediately. Using Adoreal, your surgical doctor can be contacted directly on the platform.