Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

goldencobra92 said:Can anyone with experience give me some advice on treating bruises around the eyes? What actually works and how long will they last? Today is my 4th day post-op

I’d go with Heparin ointment—it's usually what you use for those kinds of bruises.
As for whether it's right for your specific situation—ask at a pharmacy. Personally, whenever I had major bruising from giving myself injections, that was my go-to.

What's it like having those nasal tampons in? That's honestly the worst part for me... I put off surgery for 20 years because of it. Mentally, it's terrifying. It feels like you're suffocating but can't actually suffocate...
How do you even sleep with them? Please, if you don't mind, let me know how you're managing?

Susan Diaz91 said:What’s it actually like having those nasal tampons in? That part sounds like the absolute worst to me... honestly, I've been putting off surgery for 20 years just because of that. It's kind of terrifying mentally... like you're suffocating but you can't actually suffocate...
how do you even sleep with them? please, if you don't mind, could you explain how you're handling it?

During my consultation, they told me I’d probably deal with some ear pressure too, but that it should clear up once they pull the tampons out after a couple of days. I read this one blogger who mentioned it was one of the biggest hassles during recovery, but basically just something you have to grit your teeth and get through. I can already imagine the rest of it: dry mouth, a sore throat, feeling bloated, maybe even some nausea... I guess we'll see how tough I really am.

silverorca6 said:During my consultation, they told me I’d deal with some ear pressure, but it should clear up once they pull the tampons out after two days. Some blogger wrote about this—said it was one of the worst parts of recovery, but just something you have to tough out. Honestly, I can already see it coming: dry mouth, a swollen throat, bloating, maybe some nausea... It's a test of character, I guess.

Total nightmare. 😢

Two days? Really? Some people are stuck with them for five days—feels like those things go all the way to the brain—while others only get two. What determines the timing? Honestly, I think I’ll be living on Xanax for those few days. 😢

Alright, so today marks day four for me, and I’m planning to pull the tampon out tomorrow. Honestly, I was freaking out about the damn thing because I feel like I can't even breathe through my mouth. Seriously, that’s become my absolute biggest struggle right now. On the first day, I had a total mental breakdown—I genuinely thought I wasn't going to make it and I almost just ripped everything out myself. I was right on the edge, no joke. That first day is the absolute worst, but somehow, I managed to get used to it. I’ve been slamming water all day just to keep my mouth from feeling like a desert. I never actually thought a human being could adapt to this, but hey, here I am, and it's getting a little easier. Nights are still a bit rough, though—waking up constantly because of the dry mouth—but during the day, it’s manageable enough to actually live life. Right now, though, I’m struggling with these Hematomas; I’ve been slathering on heparin gel, but they just seem to be getting more prominent and larger

And look, I didn't have any ear pressure at all, and I don't see any reason why my throat should be swollen either—it's just dry, that's all. And what do you mean gas in the stomach?! I haven't had any nausea whatsoever. In fact, the only real issues I'm dealing with are the tampons, the Hematomas, and a dull ache in that specific part of my head

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Hmm... honestly, tampons weren't even that big of a deal for me. It just takes a minute to get used to the sensation—once you do, it's manageable. The worst part was definitely how much it messed with my appetite. 😁

Honestly, I’ll eat pretty much anything, as long as I chop it up small enough so I don't have to go through the whole ordeal of heavy chewing. The only thing I’m really missing is actually being able to smell the food.🙂

Susan Diaz91 said:What’s it actually like having those nasal tampons in? That part sounds like the absolute worst to me... honestly, I’ve put off surgery for 20 years because of it. It’s terrifying mentally. It feels like you're suffocating, but you can't even pass out...
How do you even sleep with that? Please, if it's not too much trouble, tell me how you managed?

I was terrified I wouldn't be able to breathe or that the lack of air would trigger a massive panic attack. Total waste of worry. Honestly, it didn't bother me at all—not compared to the constant sinus infections where I was actually struggling to catch my breath. Plus, the post-op drowsiness and being relaxed from the anesthesia helped.🙂 No pain involved; they gave me some medication at the hospital (can't remember if I even asked for it), and by day three, they pulled the packing out. Felt like a brand new person.

Susan Diaz91 said:which sounds awful😢

I guess I wonder how it can just be two days? Like, some people deal with brain fog for five days straight while others are done in two... I don't really get what determines that. Honestly, I feel like I might just spend those few days living on Aspirin.😢

They told me I’d probably only have them for two days because of my specific situation, though it would be pretty funny if they were lying and I end up stuck with them for five. But yeah, I know it varies; some people deal with it way longer than others.
As for my stomach, it always gets all bloated and gassy whenever I catch a bad cold, which is honestly gross because I can't eat right, and my throat gets swollen too—even in the summer—so I'm prepared to deal with whatever comes my way there. They did mention I'll likely have that ear pressure, but apparently, it's nothing too crazy.
In one of my previous posts, I mentioned that I probably wouldn't be able to eat or sleep properly for a bit, and someone basically replied like, "Oh please, it's nothing!" And now, here we are, with people posting about how it wasn't even a big deal for them either.

Just checking in with a quick update.. 🙂
It’s day four post-op (surgery was Wednesday).. I feel great.. there's some minor bruising under my eyes, nothing major.. one tiny capillary burst during the procedure, which is the only noticeable thing right now, but it'll fade eventually.. My appetite has somehow skyrocketed—I'm basically eating whatever is within arm's reach. 🙂
Breathing through my mouth isn't an issue since I'm used to it 🙂 though learning how to actually breathe through my nose is going to be the real challenge. 😁
There was some discomfort in my nose earlier, but even that has subsided today. 🙂
Can't wait until Wednesday when they take the cast off so I can finally see the results. 🙂

Looks like you and I are stuck in the exact same boat 🙂. Did they already take your tampon out? Mine aren't pulling it until the day after tomorrow
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I’m getting them pulled out on Monday too.. 🙂
Tomorrow they’re letting me out of the hospital just to grab lunch at home—apparently because it’s Easter—but I’ll be heading right back to the facility by evening.. 🙂 Honestly, it’s probably for the best. I have no idea how I’d sleep at home; I’m a stomach sleeper, and since they have my bed propped up here, I can't roll over without risking messing something up in my nose 🙂

Is the surgery always done under general anesthesia?

I dealt with some absolutely brutal bruising myself—at first, they were as dark as fresh asphalt. My doctor told me straight up: don't bother applying any ointments or creams, just let them be. Twelve days later, they had completely vanished without a trace. In my experience, it’s usually best to just step back and let the body process things on its own terms.

goldencobra92 said:So, here's my deal: today is day four, and I’m planning on pulling the tampon out the day after tomorrow. Honestly, I was absolutely terrified of the tampon because I feel like I can't even breathe through my mouth. Yeah, that’s definitely my biggest hurdle right now. On the first day, I had a total mental breakdown; I genuinely thought I wasn't going to make it through and almost just ripped everything out myself—I was seriously on the edge. That first day is the absolute worst, but somehow, I’ve managed to adjust. I'm drinking tons of fluids just to stop my mouth from feeling like a desert. I never thought a person could actually get used to this, but hey, here I am, it's getting a bit easier. Nights are a struggle, though—waking up constantly, dry mouth, you know the drill—but during the day, it's fine enough to live with. Right now, I'm mostly dealing with these Hematomas, so I've been using some heparin gel, but they’re still looking pretty prominent and large

And for what it's worth, I didn't have any pressure in my ears at all, and I don't see any reason why my throat should be swollen either—just dry, and that's about it. As for gas in the stomach? Not a thing. I haven't dealt with any nausea either. Actually, the only real issues are the tampons, the Hematomas, and a dull ache in that specific part of my head

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Which doctor told you to use heparin gel for that area after this procedure? Was it the technician or the primary physician?