If you’re considering rhinoplasty surgery, you may be wondering what you can and can’t do afterward. Some of the most common questions are involving strong facial expressions. Can you ruin the results with these?
It’s important to know that while the procedure is relatively safe, there are some rules you need to follow during the recovery period to ensure proper healing.
In this blog post, we will discuss three everyday activities that can potentially cause problems after rhinoplasty surgery: crying, laughing, and yawning.
Related: our award-winning UK rhinoplasty surgeon
The simple answer is no, laughing or smiling is not likely to ruin your rhinoplasty if you do it in moderation.
However, if you laugh or smile too hard, it can put unnecessary strain on your incisions and cause them to open up. It’s important to be mindful of this and take it easy for the first few weeks after surgery.
Taking a few precautions is probably wise, such as asking your friends and family to refrain from jokes around you, taking a break from watching your favorite comedy show on TV, etc.
If you run into a situation that makes you laugh, you can try to stifle it by holding your hand over your mouth.
Yawning is another activity that can put a strain on your freshly operated nasal area so try not to yawn too much for the first few weeks after surgery.
However, it is a natural reflex and you shouldn’t have to hold back every time you feel the urge. A little bit of yawning here and there is not likely to cause any problems.
You can try to stifle a yawn by holding your hand over your mouth or by taking slow, deep breaths.
The same precautions we discussed with laughing are recommended here as well. Yawning is often a mirror reflex, triggered by seeing someone else doing it in front of us. If this is the case, ask your tired family member to try and hold back in your company or, if this fails, you might consider leaving their company for a while.
If you find yourself yawning a lot, it could be a sign that you’re not getting enough rest. Make sure to get plenty of sleep during your recovery period to avoid yawning excessively. This is also recommended for optimal recovery after any surgical procedure.
Related: sleeping after rhinoplasty
While crying cannot physically ruin your results, it can cause some temporary swelling and bruising. This is because the act of crying causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.
It also triggers a mucus release, which can further contribute to swelling. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid crying as much as possible for the first two weeks after surgery.
Read more: how to clean your nose after rhinoplasty.
Of course, this is not always possible or realistic. If you do find yourself crying, try to do so with your head elevated and apply a cold compress to your face afterward. Also, try not to cry for extended periods of time as this can cause more irritation.
In summary, crying, laughing, and yawning are all activities that you should avoid or take caution with for the first few weeks after rhinoplasty surgery. While they will not physically ruin your results, they can cause temporary swelling and bruising.
If you find yourself having intense mood swings, experiencing a high level of stress, or other factors that trigger any of these intense facial movements contact your nose surgeon and discuss any possible solutions.
Here’s what you need to know about the different types of rhinoplasty that can be performed to change the shape and size of your nose to create a more natural and aesthetic look.
MORE INFO
What causes bruising after undergoing a rhinoplasty and also the best tips on what can be done to minimise your bruising to aid your recovery before your 7 days post operative appointment.
MORE INFO