Why Your Sleep Is Essential After Rhinoplasty Surgery
After your rhinoplasty surgery — as is the case with all invasive surgeries — getting proper rest and relaxation is extremely important. Not only does adequate sleep allow your immune system to focus on healing the treated areas, but, while resting, you are less likely to strain or irritate the area where your surgery was performed. However, in order to ensure that you are not compromising your rhinoplasty results while you sleep, there are some important considerations — including proper positioning — that should be kept in mind.
Why Is Sleep Important After Rhinoplasty Surgery?
After any surgery, a good night’s rest is a vital part of the recovery and healing process. During sleep, the brain triggers the release of hormones that support tissue growth and repair, and your body is able to produce more white blood cells while at rest, which can help you fight off any bacterial or viral infections that may compromise your rhinoplasty results. Getting adequate rest can not only help speed your overall recovery, but will allow your body to more quickly heal any bruising or swelling that has resulted from your rhinoplasty.
After your rhinoplasty, it’s important to not only ensure that you are getting adequate sleep, but that your sleeping position does not put undue strain or pressure on your face or nose, as this can compromise the look of your rhinoplasty, and could even lead to a revision rhinoplasty being required.
Sleeping Positions that You Should Avoid
In the first weeks following your rhinoplasty, ensuring that you are sleeping in a position that does not put any pressure or strain on your face or nose is essential. For this reason, you should avoid the following sleeping positions:
Sleeping on Stomach After Rhinoplasty
When you sleep on your stomach, the side or front of your face comes into partial or full contact with your pillow. This will put pressure on your nose and the surrounding areas, which can compromise the results of your rhinoplasty. In addition, any unnecessary contact with or pressure on the incisions made during your rhinoplasty procedure can cause pain or discomfort, can increase or aggravate any existing swelling, and can therefore jeopardize the healing process.
Side Sleeping After Rhinoplasty
Although sleeping on your side may seem ideal, as you are not placing direct pressure on your nose — as you would be when sleeping on your stomach — placing pressure on the side of your face can also slow or jeopardize your healing. Side-sleeping can also cause nasal congestion. Because sleeping on your side is not as significantly risky towards your rhinoplasty results, you may be able to resume side-sleeping after one to two weeks; however, it’s important to consult with your cosmetic surgeon before adjusting your sleeping position.
Best Sleeping Position After Rhinoplasty
The best sleeping position following your rhinoplasty procedure is sleeping on your back, with your head slightly elevated. Not only does this position ensure that you are not placing any pressure on your nose or on the delicate surrounding structures, but elevating your face can help reduce swelling and speed the healing process. If you find sleeping on your back difficult, it may be helpful to position pillows on the side of your body, which will prevent you from rolling onto your side or stomach when you are asleep. You can also try sleeping in a recliner chair in the first few days following your surgery.
Tips to Sleep Safely After Nose Job
In addition to ensuring that you are sleeping on your back, there are some other steps you can take to make sure you are sleeping safely after your rhinoplasty. These include:
- Ensuring any pets are kept out of the bedroom or the room where you are sleeping, to avoid any unwanted, accidental contact with your face or nose
- Avoiding caffeine for at least six hours before bedtime
- Sleeping alone for the first week following your rhinoplasty, to avoid your spouse or partner unintentionally coming into contact with your face or nose while sleeping
Are We Allowed to Take Sleeping Pills to Sleep After Rhinoplasty?
You may find it difficult to fall asleep after your rhinoplasty, whether this is due to pain or discomfort, or because you are sleeping in a position that is unusual to you. Nevertheless, it is best to avoid taking sleeping pills, as they can interfere with any other medications — such as pain medication prescribed or recommended by your surgeon — that you are taking. However, since sleep is an integral part of the healing process, if you are struggling to fall asleep for a significant stretch of time following your surgery, contact your surgeon to discuss what steps might be taken.
When Can I Start Sleeping Normally After Rhinoplasty?
Most patients are able to return to their normal sleep position around 10-14 days after their rhinoplasty surgery. However, since healing time and progress varies from patient to patient, it’s important to consult with your surgeon before you decide to adjust your sleeping position.