Undergoing a cosmetic procedure can be an emotional time, as the build-up, surgery itself and the post-surgery can all be taxing on the mind and body. While we should feel excited about changing part of our appearance that we aren’t fond of, it’s natural to feel nervous and apprehensive about it. Any surgery is a risk, but most of the time, the results are worth it.
Piezo Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a nose job, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. It completely alters the appearance of the nose, including its shape, size and structure. Many people who have nose jobs tend to fear post-surgery recovery, as it can be quite extensive, with the nose remaining bruised for a while after the procedure. However, no matter how much it changes the face, it can still be worth it, especially if you learn how to cope with drastic changes in appearance.
The emotional side of rhinoplasty should be explored and understood before anyone undergoes the procedure. That is what we will investigate throughout this article.
How To Know If You Have Post-Surgery Depression
Everyone will feel different levels of emotions after they undergo surgery, with rhinoplasty being a surgery that generates higher levels of emotions post-surgery. There are telltale signs that you might be experiencing post-surgery depression after rhinoplasty, so it’s important to recognise these symptoms and keep on top of them.
These common symptoms include:
- Increased overwhelming feelings
- Feeling paranoid about the changes in your nose
- Difficulty sleeping
- Extreme Fatigue
- Anxious feelings for no reason at all
- No longer enjoy activities that you used to
- Decision-making difficulties
- Lackadaisical feeling
- Easily irritated
You should seek advice from a cosmetic professional if you think you are experiencing any of these symptoms, as they can help you cope with post-rhinoplasty surgery.
How to Recover From Depression After Rhinoplasty
Check-in With a Mental Health Professional
Depression should be taken very seriously and properly treated. Making regular visits to a mental health professional post-surgery can help with mental recovery, as you can talk through any anxieties and stresses that you are feeling after the procedure. These professionals can offer you helpful guidance on how to deal with depression and overcome it.
Meditation
Increasing positive feelings post-surgery can help you significantly reduce the chances of suffering from unhealthy emotions. You can practise mindfulness through certain techniques, such as meditation. This can play a huge role in the post-operative healing process because it strengthens the immune system and can decrease recovery time.
Self-Care
Knowing the right self-care techniques can help you cope with the change in appearance that comes with rhinoplasty. Having a good recovery plan in place will help you recover better from such an invasive procedure. You can also do activities that are proven to invoke a positive feeling, like exercising or socialising with friends or family. For example, pilates affects your breathing and health in a positive way.
Join Support Groups
Speaking to people who have had a similar experience to you can help you negate any bad feelings you may have after your rhinoplasty surgery. Having this surgery is a unique experience that not many people go through, so being able to speak to people who have gone through the same emotions will make you feel like you’re not alone.
Be Patient
The road to recovery can be long for rhinoplasty, as it is a very invasive procedure. It’s important to remember that all healing takes time and being patient can help in coping with post-surgery emotions. The rhinoplasty process has been heavily trialled and tested, so you need to trust the process and let it heal properly if you want to cope with the changes accordingly.
Prepare Yourself
Knowing what to expect after your rhinoplasty surgery is key, as it can help you cope with such a drastic facial change. Talking to your surgeon can give you a better understanding of what the post-surgery recovery process will look like, and provide you with information that can help you cope with changes in appearance.
Rhinoplasty Process
To be able to cope with the changes in appearance caused by rhinoplasty, it’s important to completely understand the process. From the initial consultation, all the way through the post-surgery recovery, you should be aware of what each step entails. Here is each step of the procedure:
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Consultation
Your surgeon will sit down and hold a consultation with you before the procedure goes ahead. This allows you to discuss the goals of your surgery, including how you want your nose to look and any concerns that you have. Your surgeon can evaluate whether you are suitable for the procedure.
3. Anaesthesia
A general of local anaesthesia will be administered to you on the day of the procedure. This ensures that you are at maximum possible comfort during the procedure and makes it all feel painless. It will more likely be general anaesthesia, as this is used for surgical procedures where it’s safer to be unconscious.
3. Incisions
Precise incisions will be made to limit any scarring that may occur, as they should be discreet and barely noticeable. Ultrasonic technology can also be used to make the sculpting of the nose as streamlined as possible. This results in limited trauma and reduced complication risk.
4. Refinements
After reshaping the nose, your surgeon will make the final refinements, like repositioning and bone grafting. Dissolvable sutures are used in most cases to help minimise any visible marks. You will then be put into a hospital room to wake up on your own before getting a final rundown of how the procedure went by your surgeon. The whole procedure usually takes around 30 minutes.
5. Post-surgery
Your surgeon should give you post-surgery advice on how you can experience the smoothest recovery possible. They will inform you on the actions you need to take and when you will begin to see results. Although some swelling and bruises are to be expected, these symptoms start to significantly lessen by the second week and go away completely by the third month. However, results may vary from patient to patient.