Just like a full rhinoplasty, an alarplasty (also known as nostril reduction surgery) will involve a recovery period, although it is generally shorter as it is a less extensive procedure. Alarplasty recovery will involve following some steps to help the area heal and prevent complications from occurring.
In this blog, we’ll outline some recovery tips that will help you know what is normally involved during your recovery. When you meet with one of the plastic surgeons who operate at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney, you will receive detailed recovery instructions that are based on your individual needs.
What is alarplasty or nostril surgery?
An alarplasty, or nostril reduction surgery, is performed to narrow or reshape the nostrils. The procedure can be performed as a stand-alone procedure, or it can be part of a full rhinoplasty.
It is commonly performed for aesthetic reasons, such as to reduce the appearance of flared nostrils or a wide nose by surgically altering the width of the nose and outer nostrils. It typically involves removing a portion of the skin from the wing of the nose. The procedure can also address nostril symmetry and other aspects of the nostrils based on the patient’s personal preferences.
What to expect: An overview of alarplasty recovery
When it comes to what to expect during your alarplasty recovery, it will come down to the complexity of the procedure, the specific steps, and how well you heal individually. It is a less extensive procedure than a full rhinoplasty, with an average initial recovery time of about two weeks.
The first few days after your alarplasty will likely be the most uncomfortable, which is completely normal. You may notice swelling, some bruising around the nose, and tenderness, which are normal parts of the healing process. You may also notice some minor bleeding at the incision sites, which should subside within two to three days.
During this time, your nose will be bandaged, and your surgeon will explain how to care for the incision site. Generally, you’ll need to keep the area clean and dry and may need a follow-up appointment to have your stitches removed if they are not dissolvable. Non-dissolvable stitches are usually removed after the first week of your recovery.
You can normally resume your daily activities within a few days after the surgery and return to work after about one week. However, if your work involves heavy lifting and strenuous exercise, you may need to wait longer before returning.
While alarplasty recovery typically takes about two weeks, a full recovery can take up to one to three months, as residual swelling can take this long to fully subside. As for possible scarring, there may be a small crease in the area where the cheek meets the nostril, but this should fade over time.
Our alarplasty recovery tips
Before you have your consultation with one of the plastic surgeons who operate at Aesthetic Edge, you can learn our basic recovery tips to begin to feel prepared for your recovery process. Keep in mind that some of these instructions can vary based on your individual needs, and you should always closely follow your surgeon’s advice.
1. Organise for someone to drive you home from the hospital
After your surgery, you won’t be able to drive home due to the anaesthetic, so you’ll need someone to pick you up. You should arrange for someone to pick you up before undergoing your procedure. Although recovery isn’t as extensive as a full rhinoplasty, you may also want to arrange for someone to help you at home in the early days of recovery, as post-surgery discomfort can sometimes make daily chores harder to complete.
2. Avoid strenuous activity in the early days of your recovery
Especially in the first few days of your recovery, it’s important to allow your body to rest and avoid overexerting yourself too soon. Even though alarplastyis considered a relatively minor surgery, it’s still surgery, and your body needs downtime to repair itself. Gentle walking is usually encouraged during your recovery to support good circulation, but you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting.
3. Follow wound care instructions
To prevent the incision site from becoming infected and to encourage healing, you’ll need to follow your surgeon’s wound care instructions. Typically, you’ll need to keep the incision sites clean and dry, and re-apply bandages when needed.
Since you’ll need to keep the incision dry during the early days of your recovery, you should carefully avoid the area while washing your face or taking a shower. A damp cloth can help you clean around your nose without soaking it, keeping the healing incisions dry. Using a saline spray might help keep your nostrils moist enough and comfortable without irritating the incisions, but always check with your surgeon before using any over-the-counter products.
4. Avoid applying pressure to the area
When caring for the incision sites, changing bandages, sleeping or going about your normal daily activities, you should aim to avoid applying excessive pressure to the nose. You should try to avoid sleeping on your side or stomach, as this can accidentally put too much pressure on the area. You should also avoid bending over too frequently, and avoid blowing your nose, even if you feel congested. If you have to sneeze, you’ll need to do so with your mouth open to reduce pressure on your nasal passages.
5. Take steps to manage swelling and discomfort
Swelling is probably the most visible part of the recovery process, apart from possible minor bruising. Although it will subside naturally, sleeping with your head elevated on extra pillows can help reduce swelling, and gently applying cold compresses can help. To manage discomfort, your surgeon may prescribe pain medication or recommend taking over-the-counter pain medication.
6. Follow a healthy diet and stay hydrated
Paying attention to what you eat is an important step to take during your recovery. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet supports healing while avoiding foods that are too salty can help to minimise swelling. Eating soft, easy-to-chew foods may also be helpful in the early days after surgery when moving your face or jaw too much can be uncomfortable. It will also be important to stay hydrated, so you should drink plenty of water throughout your recovery to support your body’s recovery process.
7. Quit smoking and avoid alcohol
Most of the time, surgeons will instruct patients to quit smoking before and after any surgery. Smoking can interfere with healing, which can raise the chance of complications occurring. This includes any nicotine products, such as vaping. It’s also generally recommended to avoid alcohol during your recovery, as it can dehydrate you and interfere with any medications you’re taking, such as pain medications.
8. Be patient with your final results
As we mentioned earlier in this blog, swelling can sometimes take up to one to two months to fully subside, even though your initial recovery will be much shorter. This means that it can take this long for your final results to be visible, so it’s important to keep this in mind and be patient while waiting to review the full aesthetic results of your procedure.
Alarplasty surgery at Aesthetic Edge Sydney
To receive extensive alarplasty recovery tips based on your personal needs and the details of your surgery, you’ll need to have a consultation with your surgeon.
Your surgeon will create an alarplasty surgery plan as a stand-alone procedure or as part of a rhinoplasty. Your recovery instructions will then be designed to best support your body’s healing after your procedure and minimise complications.
Contact our team at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney to discuss how to book your consultation!
