How to Sleep After Rhinoplasty:
Guide to Post-Surgery Sleep

Recovering from rhinoplasty requires careful attention to how you sleep. Doctors provide specific guidelines for proper positions and adjustments to aid healing and prevent complications. This article offers a comprehensive guide to achieving restful sleep after nose surgery, including tips for positioning, pain management, ideal sleep environment, timeline expectations, and more. You can direct your energy toward swift recovery by following these best practices.
How to Sleep After Rhinoplasty: Guide to Post-Surgery Sleep
Recovering from rhinoplasty requires careful attention to how you sleep. Doctors provide specific guidelines for proper positions and adjustments to aid healing and prevent complications. 
This article offers a comprehensive guide to achieving restful sleep after nose surgery, including tips for positioning, pain management, ideal sleep environment, timeline expectations, and more. You can direct your energy toward swift recovery by following these best practices.

Proper Sleeping Position After Rhinoplasty Surgery

Sleeping on the back is vital for proper healing and preventing complications after nose surgery. Here is how you can take the best sleeping position:
Sleep on the back
Sleep on the back instead of the side or stomach to avoid putting pressure on the nose as it heals. Back sleeping also promotes good circulation.
Sleep elevated
Sleep elevated with the head propped up at a 30-45-degree angle using extra pillows. This reduces swelling and discomfort.
Use pillows on both sides
Use pillows on both sides of the body to avoid rolling over during sleep. A travel neck pillow may also help maintain the proper head position.
Keep the head elevated
Keep the head elevated for at least the first 7 days. Then, gradually reduce the elevation over 2 weeks as the swelling subsides.
An adjustable bed or recliner
An adjustable bed or recliner can make resting more comfortable after rhinoplasty.
Practice Back Sleeping Before Nose Surgery Banner

Practice Back Sleeping
Before Nose Surgery

It is best to start sleeping on the back at least 2-3 weeks before rhinoplasty. This position will be required for recovery after the surgery, so we recommend getting your body accustomed to it ahead of time so you can sleep comfortably.
Choose a firm mattress and use pillows on both sides to prevent rolling onto the flank or stomach during sleep. Train yourself to lie on your back all night. This adjustment period increases the likelihood that you will sleep upright after the surgery without difficulty.
Inform your surgeon if you have concerns about sleep position due to chronic pain or other issues. The doctor can suggest aids and other solutions to make back sleeping more feasible for your post-operative care. Practicing in advance is key for minimizing discomfort and risk of complications.

Sleep Alone

We recommend sleeping alone for at least the first week after the rhinoplasty procedure. Having a partner, children, or pets in the bed runs the risk of accidentally making contact with your sensitive nose. If you share your sleeping space, an accidental bump, strike, or jostling is possible.
Arrange a private room to sleep safely during the initial recovery stage. Not only does this reduce external impacts, but it also minimizes disruptions from a partner’s movements, which could shift your head from the upright position. Make your solo sleeping area comfortable with a TV, music, or other things. Our patients usually return to a shared bed once the initial swelling has gone down and the nose is less vulnerable. They take advantage of solitary sleep for about a week for the safest experience.

Use Pain Medication

It is normal to experience some discomfort while sleeping after rhinoplasty. Following the surgeon’s recommendations for pain management is key to getting adequate rest during recovery. The doctor may prescribe certain medications to minimize nighttime soreness and promote sleep. Typically, these are oral medicines, such as opioids, that you take before bed.
Use these medications only as directed, and be aware of possible side effects like drowsiness or constipation. As an alternative, the doctor may approve over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These also reduce swelling, which contributes to pain after a nose job. Never exceed dosage amounts or combine multiple drugs without medical guidance.
We recommend tracking your pain scores each night and informing 
the surgeon if you have trouble sleeping despite adhering to the medication regimen. The doctor can adjust the drugs or suggest additional aids like cold compresses to manage pain and help you obtain the soothing rest required for optimal healing.

Avoid Sleeping Pills

It is best not to take sleeping pills after undergoing rhinoplasty. Sedative-hypnotic medications can cause excessive drowsiness, leading to a lack of awareness and responsiveness. This heightens the chances of shifting out of the upright sleeping position without realizing it.
Sleep aids also suppress arousal reactions that normally cause people to readjust improper head elevation or accidental pressure on the nose. Remaining motionless in a flawed sleep posture hampers circulation and healing.
Sleep drugs also have side effects like dizziness or headaches, which amplify post-surgery discomfort. They may also interact with pain medications, resulting in complications.
Rather than relying on sleep aids, you can prepare your resting environment for comfort. Blackout curtains, ear plugs, relaxation music, and temperature regulation promote better sleep naturally after nasal surgery.
If insomnia persists for more than a week, consult your board-certified plastic surgeon or maxillofacial doctor. They will address the root cause and suggest safer rest remedies than sleep pills.

Don't Use Caffeine

We recommend avoiding caffeine for at least three days after rhinoplasty surgery. This stimulant can make it difficult to fall asleep. It also frequently interrupts rest by increasing nighttime awakenings. Therefore, the body cannot obtain continuous restorative sleep. Avoid coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks.
If you regularly consume caffeine, wean off slowly in the weeks before surgery to prevent withdrawal headaches. During recovery, it might be better to drink herbal tea, decaf coffee, or plain water instead.

Get More Rest Than Usual

Taking more time for sleep is vital while recovering from rhinoplasty. The body needs extra rest to direct its energy toward healing rather than normal active functions. Aim for at least 8-10 hours of sleep every night. Take frequent naps and rest periods during the day as well. You may feel more fatigued than expected as you recover.
Listen to signals telling you to lie down and doze. Don’t push yourself to resume a normal schedule or take on energy-intensive tasks. It is best to give the body the necessary downtime to channel its efforts toward recovery.

Recovery Timeline and Expectations

It takes time for both the outside and inside of the nose to heal after rhinoplasty. Therefore, we must be patient with the recovery process. During the initial weeks, follow all of the surgeon’s guidelines for sleeping positions, activity restrictions, and more. This will facilitate proper internal and external healing.
For at least the first week, continue sleeping with the head in an elevated position. This will reduce discomfort and major symptoms. Swelling and bruising around the nose and under the eyes are the worst about 2-3 days after surgery. However, they will gradually improve with proper care.
About 90% of the symptoms should be gone after a month. However, numbness in the nasal skin due to nerve disruption may persist for up to a year before fully recovering. Therefore, be careful when washing your face or performing other facial activities during this time.
Surgeons usually give clearance to resume light exercise after 3 weeks of recovery. Return to contact sports or strenuous activity requires more time, often 3-6 months.

Conclusion

Proper sleep is crucial after rhinoplasty. Following the surgeon’s recommendations for positioning, environment, and lifestyle adjustments in the initial recovery stage facilitates healing and prevents complications.
Here are the key tips for the first week:
As the weeks progress, you can gradually return to normal sleeping habits. But strict adherence early on is vital. Swelling, bruising, and inflammation take weeks to resolve.
Overall, be diligent about following all post-operative guidelines. They will facilitate proper healing of the nose externally and internally. Prioritize plenty of restful sleep in the right position during the initial weeks. This will help direct your energy toward recovering from surgery as quickly and safely as possible!

Conclusion

Proper sleep is crucial after rhinoplasty. Following the surgeon’s recommendations for positioning, environment, and lifestyle adjustments in the initial recovery stage facilitates healing and prevents complications.
Here are the key tips for the first week:
As the weeks progress, you can gradually return to normal sleeping habits. But strict adherence early on is vital. Swelling, bruising, and inflammation take weeks to resolve.
Overall, be diligent about following all post-operative guidelines. They will facilitate proper healing of the nose externally and internally. Prioritize plenty of restful sleep in the right position during the initial weeks. This will help direct your energy toward recovering from surgery as quickly and safely as possible!