Getting enough shut-eye is one of the best ways to recover after cosmetic surgery. Your body needs to heal, and rest helps make that happen. However, when you’ve recently had nasal surgery, comfortably falling and staying asleep can be challenging.
Get the sleep you need after rhinoplasty surgery with these tips from MAE Plastic Surgery, Chicago’s rhinoplasty experts.
Pillows Are Your Friend
Finding a comfortable position is key to getting a good night’s rest after rhinoplasty. Before your surgery, invest in a few extra pillows to help with comfortable positioning in bed. Some of our patients like using a triangle wedge pillow or a U-shaped pregnancy pillow.
Recliners are another comfortable sleep option. If you have one, you may want to skip the bed and sleep in a chair for the first couple of days.
Get up and Move
Movement sounds like counterproductive advice when your goal is to rest, but it works, we promise. Gentle movement is very helpful for recovery. It helps keep your blood circulating and can speed healing. It also helps stretch and tire the body so you can sleep.
Don’t try going to CrossFit, running a marathon, or doing anything else extreme after surgery. Slow, gentle walks are a good way to start reintroducing movement. Wait until Dr. Epstein clears you to start more strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
Go Solo When You Slumber
If you normally share your bed with other members of your household, you may want to kick everyone out for a few days. During sleep, it is easy to get accidentally knocked or jostled by a slumbering bedmate. Ask your pets and partners to sleep somewhere else for the first week or two after your rhinoplasty surgery.
Practice Before Surgery
Are you a natural stomach or side sleeper? After rhinoplasty, you’ll need to sleep on your back for several weeks. If you normally sleep on your side or stomach, adjusting to the change can be difficult.
Work on changing your sleep position now, in preparation for your surgery. Practice sleeping on your back as much as you can.
Clean up Your Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene and sweet dreams go hand in hand. The habits you practice before bedtime make a significant difference in the quality of sleep you’ll achieve once you’re in bed. If you’re preparing for rhinoplasty, it may be a good time to evaluate your nighttime habits and change any practices that are inhibiting sleep.
- Limit caffeine close to bedtime: Caffeine before bed can make it hard to sleep.
- Put down your phone: Flipping through your phone before bed doesn’t allow your body to relax. If you need something to do in bed, pick up a book instead.
- Eat a smaller dinner: If your stomach is too full, it may be difficult to get comfortable and sleep. Small, light evening meals are more conducive to sleep.
- Turn off the TV: Electronics and bedtime don’t mix. Some experts believe the blue light from electronics can disrupt your sleep/wake cycles. You’ll get better sleep if you move the TV and other tech out of the bedroom.
How Much Sleep Do I Need After Rhinoplasty?
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep after surgery so your body can heal. We recommend at least eight hours of sleep at night, and naps during the day as needed.
Learn more about rhinoplasty in Chicago at a consultation with Dr. Michael Epstein, board-certified plastic surgeon, and rhinoplasty expert. Call us at (847) 205-1680 to schedule your visit to MAE Plastic Surgery.
