Can I wear glasses after a nose job? When can I wear glasses after rhinoplasty? These questions are all too common for patients already wearing glasses and have to undergo rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty is the first stage in your nose job journey. The next phase is the recovery period. Your recovery is a serious part of the process because what you do in this time can impact your results in the long term. Following your surgery, you must be cautious aboutwearing sunglassesand prescription glasses. So, when can you wear glasses after rhinoplasty, and what can you do in the meantime? Keep reading to find out.
How Long Does it Take for a Nose Job to Fully Heal
Rhinoplasty canreshape the nose, fix a deviated septum or improve breathing difficulties. After the procedure, you will have staples or stitches in the incisions. The stitches inside the nose and mouth usually dissolve, but if you have staples, you will go for an appointment a week later to remove them.
Your doctor will also cover your nose with a bandage, and you might have a plaster or plastic splint to help protect the nose and maintain the new shape. Plus, a nasal drip under the nostril to collect any blood and fluids that may drip. You will also have some packing materials inside the nose to help reduce swelling and bleeding. Your surgeon will remove the nasal drip and packing materials 2 days after the procedure while the split remains for about a week.
After the procedure, your nose will be swollen and bruised, and you may also have dark bruises around the eyes. The swelling usually worsens before it gets better and should go down in 3 to 4 weeks. You will also have some pain, and your nose will be stuffy, leading to breathing difficulties for a short time. The skin at the tip of the nose might also be numb, and there may be shooting pain or itching as the feeling returns.
If the nose job involves breaking any bones inside the nose, you will have to avoid any injury to the nose for at least 3 months. You should expectfull recoveryto take about 6 weeks. But the nose continues to heal for about 1 year. The first 2 weeks of recovery are when you have the most swelling and bruising. At 4-6 weeks, you canbegin to resume regular exercise. So, although your nose can take 1 year to heal fully, you can go about your day as usual after 6 weeks.
How Can Wearing Glasses Impact Your Rhinoplasty Results?
Wearing glasses too soon after your nose job can dent your nose permanently, damage the structure of the nose, and can affect both the cosmetic and function of yournew nose shape. Ultimately, wearing glasses too soon after your surgery could affect the outcome. Another procedure may be necessary to fix any issues.
After a nose job, your nose needs to be straight. The pressure from glasses can cause small depressions in the nose. Because a nose job is permanent, it must heal properly. So, its vital that you listen to your doctors guidance to maintain optimum results.
When Can You Wear Glasses After Rhinoplasty?
After your surgery, you may be able to wear glasses, but only for a short time. Following anosejob, you will have a splint on your nose. You can wear glasses over your splint because the hard splint stops the glasses from affecting your nose job results as it takes the weight off the glasses. But as soon as the splint comes off, you cant wear glasses because there is nothing to keep the weight off your nose.
As your nose begins to heal, it can look good within a few weeks, but that doesnt mean its ready to support glasses. Most plastic surgeons have varying recommendations for how long you should avoid wearing glasses. In general, it can range from a minimum of 2 months to 6 months.
How to Wear Glasses After Rhinoplasty
It can be trickywearing glasses after rhinoplasty. While doctors advise switching to contact lenses until your nose heals, it doesnt work for everyone. Fortunately, there are some functional ways to wear glasses after your surgery.
Normally, glasses rest on the bridge of the nose. Eyewear options for post-rhinoplasty patients are all about shifting that weight elsewhere. Immediately after the surgery, you will have a splint inside your nose and can wear your glasses like you usually do. However, once the splint is removed, you need to ensure that your glasses dont rest on the bridge of your nose for 3 to 4 weeks.
That leaves you with a few options. Some people wear bridgeless glasses after rhinoplasty. You could also buy a small device at your local pharmacy that clamps to the rims of the glasses allowing them to rest on the cheeks instead of the bridge of the nose. The final option is taping glasses after rhinoplasty. Most people tape them on the forehead.
While its not the most fashionable way of wearing your glasses, it will go a long way in protecting your nose as you heal, so you dont interfere with thenew nose shape.
There are several options available if you must wear your glasses after your nose job. Although you may have a few months of inconvenience, its all worth it in the end when you have great results from yourrhinoplastysurgery.
Discuss Your Options with Your Plastic Surgeon
Your first consultation is the perfect opportunity for you to discuss your eyewear options after rhinoplasty. During the consultation, your doctor will also tell you if you are a good candidate for the procedure and what would work best to address your concerns. If you get the green light to have the procedure, ensure you follow your doctors post-op instructions, including when you can safely wear your glasses.
Bookyour consultation todaywith Dr. Riaz Agha at the Harley Clinic to learn more about rhinoplasty.
