So like the title says I've just had double jaw surgery, and one of the lovely side effects is major nose swelling. As in my thin, tiny nose is now epically swollen. And completely bent so that one nostril is none existent whilst the other is ridiculously huge leaning completely to the other side- it's actually comical! Now my problem apart from not being able to breathe through my nose and looking like Quasimodo is that the sides of my nostrils, that depth where it meets your cheeks is completely sunken into the swelling. So today it felt like it stung after I had washed my face with water, out of curiosity and because I usually like to clean the sides of my nostrils with a q-tip because it's so deep I'm sure it's traps gross stuff, I noticed on both sides there is a cut, like a little rip. The area is red, inflamed and although not bleeding (I'm pretty sure it was before) there's white/yellow opaque discharge. I'm seeing my surgeon on Tuesday, but does this sound like something to be worried about? Should I make an emergency visit? Has this happened to any of you? I'm on antibiotics so I'm mostly worried that my nose will now heal in this new deformed position!
Help!!
6 days post-surgery- major nose swelling and sides of nostrils cut with possible infection?
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PashaBursi
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Re: 6 days post-surgery- major nose swelling and sides of nostrils cut with possible infection?
For sure, call your surgeon tomorrow if you're worried. I actually suspect that you may just have a little candidiasis in those crevices (obviously no one can diagnose you over the internet though!!). Until you see your surgeon, just continue cleaning the areas super gently with water.
Re: 6 days post-surgery- major nose swelling and sides of nostrils cut with possible infection?
A whitish-yellow discharge usually isn't something to worry about. It's pretty common with healing wounds. Anything along the lines of green, red, or brown is something to be worried about. Use a saline wound wash solution (you can usually find it in drugstores near band aids and neosporin in a sealed can) to gently flush the area. It will keep the area clean and promote healing. It's really important to use a solution that is closely matched to the natural salinity of your body. In a pinch, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to 8oz of warm water.
I would also bet that at 6 days post op, you're swelling has peaked and you're nowhere near the final result. It takes a few days for swelling to peak, but it takes even longer for the swelling to go down...at 7 days post op, my swelling was coming down but I was still pretty puffed up compared to normal (lower jaw only has different swelling than double jaw). I would continue to use ice packs as much as you can. Hopefully you're sleeping with your head elevated. I found that I was able to sleep better at an angle if I started with ice packs. I was icing basically nonstop for about 4 weeks. Try to withhold judgement until your swelling is down. Even at 9 weeks post op, I still have some swelling but I'm the only one that notices it.
I would also bet that at 6 days post op, you're swelling has peaked and you're nowhere near the final result. It takes a few days for swelling to peak, but it takes even longer for the swelling to go down...at 7 days post op, my swelling was coming down but I was still pretty puffed up compared to normal (lower jaw only has different swelling than double jaw). I would continue to use ice packs as much as you can. Hopefully you're sleeping with your head elevated. I found that I was able to sleep better at an angle if I started with ice packs. I was icing basically nonstop for about 4 weeks. Try to withhold judgement until your swelling is down. Even at 9 weeks post op, I still have some swelling but I'm the only one that notices it.