What to Eat After Nose Surgery?

There are many questions asked by patients who want to have nose surgery, both before and after the surgery. Among the most frequently asked questions after nose surgery is the question "What should I eat after nose surgery?" In addition to, “What to eat before and after a cosmetic surgery operation?” To address this, we prepared an article about nutrition after nose surgery. We hope it will be a useful article for patients who want to get information about nutrition after nose surgery.

The Importance of Nutrition After Nose Surgery

At different stages of life, the benefits and importance of different diets come to the fore. In parallel with this, it is important to adjust the diet correctly after nose surgery. Since the body undergoes a physical change and there is an incision in the nose, the person needs to change their eating habits in their daily life for a while. The main reason for this situation is that the diet after nose surgery affects the healing process. As a matter of fact, nutrition is among the factors affecting the healing time of the incision in the nose and the final nasal structure. The importance of nutrition after nose surgery emerges at this point.

Nutritional Recommendations After Rhinoplasty

After addressing the reasons for the importance of diet after rhinoplasty, we can move on to our recommendations on nutrition after rhinoplasty. We can detail these recommendations for you under the title of Nutritional Recommendations After Rhinoplasty. Just before moving on to the recommendations, it is useful to make a small note. Although the things to be considered in nutrition after rhinoplasty, which we have mentioned below, are general-valid, there may be certain changes depending on the individual. All details about the duration and nutrition will be planned and shared with you by your cosmetic surgeon.

1. You can give priority to consuming soft foods in nutrition after rhinoplasty. For example, we can give foods such as soup, yogurt, and oatmeal.
2. While eating after rhinoplasty, you should try to avoid extremely hot or cold foods. In particular, you should avoid the steam of extremely hot foods.
3. While eating after rhinoplasty, you should avoid excessive chewing for a certain period of time. Since the bones and tissues in the nose are still in the healing phase, you can stay away from foods such as nuts and steak for a while. However, it is useful to underline that you should not chew gum.
4. Whatever you eat after your rhinoplasty, avoid being overly salty. In order for edema and swelling to not adversely affect the healing process, you should not add additional salt to the meals, and you should prefer unsalted foods such as cheese that are already salty for a while.
5. You should definitely avoid alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes for a certain period of time after rhinoplasty, as they will affect the healing process of the nose.
6. After rhinoplasty, you should stay away from foods that cause gas for a certain period of time, and you should not consume soda. As a matter of fact, sodium in mineral water affects the rate of edema negatively.
7. Since it has a positive effect on the healing process of the wounds, you should include foods containing protein and vitamin C in your eating habits after rhinoplasty.
8. As an individual, you should stay away from foods that you are allergic to. As a matter of fact, body reactions such as sneezing and coughing can negatively affect the sitting process of the nose.
9. It is beneficial not to eat spicy foods for a certain period of time while feeding after rhinoplasty. As a matter of fact, spicy foods generally expand blood vessels, which prolongs the healing time of edema and swelling. In addition, spices have a sneezing effect due to their powdery nature.
10. Water consumption, as always, has an important place in the nutrition rules after rhinoplasty. It is recommended to consume an average of 2.5 liters of water per day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nutrition After Nose Surgery

Although you have a list of instructions after nose surgery, it is quite normal to have some questions. While eating after nose surgery, you can continue by considering your everyday diet after nose surgery. Here are some common questions. 

Can I Eat Ice Cream After Nose Surgery?

It is important to avoid extremely cold foods after nose surgery. Ice cream is a very cold food and can cause headaches.

How Many Hours After Nose Surgery Can I Eat Food?

You can eat 4-6 hours after nose surgery. It is recommended to stay away from solid foods for 4 days after nose surgery. You can consume soft and watery foods for 4 days after the surgery. Consuming foods that do not require much chewing movement is more beneficial for your health.

Can I Drink Coke After Nose Surgery?

After nose surgery, you should stay away from drinks containing caffeine. These drinks may pose a risk of bleeding. In addition, all carbonated beverages may pose a risk of edema. 

About The Author

Dr. Suleyman TAS is a world-renowned plastic surgeon with 3 books, 50+ international scientific publications, 5+ organized closed rhinoplasty courses, 5+ best plastic surgeon awards, 100+ times joined congresses as a faculty, and 5+ patented instruments. Currently, Dr. TAS practices in his private clinic based in Istanbul, Turkey.