• Reference Number: HEY-054-2023
• Departments: Plastic Surgery
• Last Updated: 2 January 2023

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general advice following your discharge. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet.  It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team, but may act as a starting point for discussion.  If after reading it, you have any concerns or require further explanation please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.

Rest

When you go home you should take things easy over the next few days. Avoid excessive head movements, bending forwards, strenuous exercise or hot baths as this may cause bleeding.

It is quite common to have some difficulty breathing through your nose for a few days after the operation, until the swelling reduces. You should try to breathe through your mouth instead; however this will make your mouth feel quite dry.

You should avoid circumstances that may involve banging your nose, such as contact sports for about 3 months.

Dressings

You can expect some minor bleeding from your nose for the first few days after your operation.  If it is oozing you should replace the gauze dressing under your nose as shown to you by the nurses. If necessary you can gently dab your nose with gauze or a clean handkerchief. If your nose should bleed, sit up straight and apply gentle pressure to the bridge of your nose (the bony part) for about 5 minutes. If the bleeding continues contact the ward for advice. You should keep your dressings clean, dry and intact. You should avoid any sprays, creams or perfumed products near your wounds.

After the operation your eyes will probably be bruised and swollen. This can take 2-3 weeks to completely disappear. You may have to wear a plaster or splint over your nose for 7-10 days. This will be removed when you attend the out patients department. You may also have a dressing in each nostril for a few days, which support your nose from the inside and you should not try to remove these yourself.

Follow Up

You will attend the outpatient clinic at about 7-10 days where your plaster will be removed and any sutures are removed. This is not usually painful but can be a little uncomfortable so you may wish to take some painkillers beforehand.

Do not pick, poke or blow your nose. Avoid dusty or smoky atmospheres, as they may irritate your nose. If you sneeze, try to bring it through your mouth not your nose. If you have any crusts under your nose, it is better to leave them until you return to the clinic.

Pain Relief

It is advisable to have a supply of mild painkillers at home, which should be used as directed on the packet if you have pain.

Period of Convalescence

Although there is no medical reason why you should take time off work (unless your job is quite physical or requires a lot of heavy lifting), you will probably be more comfortable if you take 2 weeks off work to allow the initial bruising to settle down. You can submit a self-certification certificate for the first week, after this you will need a sickness certificate from your own GP, or the doctor in the clinic.

Some swelling after surgery is common and usually takes 6-12 months to settle before the final shape of the nose becomes apparent.

If you have any problems with your wounds please contact the clinic on 01482 623259 (Mon-Fri 8.30-4.30) or 01482 674509 (weekend).

This leaflet was produced by the Plastic Surgery Department, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and will be reviewed in January 2026.

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.