Do i need to sleep sitting up after rhinoplasty? will i need to sleep sitting up or with my head elevated after rhinoplasty, or can i sleep normally?

It : It helps to sleep with your head elevated about 30 degrees or so right after rhinoplasty. This mainly helps to keep the nasal swelling down. I usually recommend doing this for about a week or so, but if you can do it a little longer this will help even more with minimizing your swelling. Either way, the swelling will go away, though. I tell my patients that if they really can't sleep well with their head elevated it's okay to lay more flat. I just let them know that they should expect a little more swelling than they would have otherwise.

Keeping : Keeping your head higher than your heart will help to minimize swelling. This can be accomplished by sleeping in a recliner or using several pillows. Minimizing the swelling which can be present in all tissue layers will reduce the discomfort level.

Gravity : Gravity is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce swelling. I do recommend that my patients who have had rhinoplasty sleep with head elevated on several pillows under the head and shoulders for 3-4 days after surgery. Some patients prefer to sleep in a recliner that can accommodate different degrees of head elevation. I also recommend that you sit upright rather than lying down when possible when watching dvds, reading books, or relaxing at home. Ice packs can also help reduce swelling in the first few days after surgery. When you do return to sleeping normally in your bed, listen to your body, and if a sleep position causes any discomfort in your nose or face, avoid that position for a while. All the best, dr. Skourtis.

Head elevated: Keeping you head elevated to the height where your head is above your heart for a week or two after surgery will help diminish swelling more rapidly.

Head Elevated: Following rhinoplasty, it's important to rest with your head elevated and sleep on your back for a few weeks following surgery. Recliners and "husband" pillows work well for elevating your head while resting/sleeping.