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Drinking After Rhinoplasty Surgery: What You Need to Know

Have you just undergone rhinoplasty surgery and are wondering if you can drink after the procedure?

You are not alone. Many people have this same question, so let’s cover everything you need to know about drinking during the recovery period – including alcohol, caffeine, and other liquids.

We’ll take a look at what happens to your body post-surgery and how to know when it’s time to start drinking again!

Drinking alcohol after rhinoplasty

Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages in the first 5-7 days after the surgery. If you are taking painkiller medication, this is a good enough reason by itself but not the only one.

When you drink alcohol, your nose may swell up. This will not only look bad but slows down the healing process too.

As your body breaks down alcohol it uses a lot of water in the process. As a result of dehydration and the opening of the blood vessels, the body becomes bloated.

Dehydration can also delay the healing process. Overall, this lengthens the amount of time it takes to show results.

This is the last thing most patients who have undergone rhinoplasty want to see. 

After the first week, if the recovery is going well, there’s no reason why you cannot enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two in moderation after your surgery.

Can I drink coffee or green tea after rhinoplasty?

It is best to avoid caffeinated beverages while you are recovering but at least during the first 3 days.

When combined with pain medication, caffeine can cause discomfort and cause an inability to sleep. Consuming caffeine can also cause dehydration which is another issue you are trying to avoid.

If you must drink coffee, green tea, black tea, or a caffeinated soda try consuming less than you normally would and cool it down to room temperature before drinking.

You can also drink as much decaffeinated coffee or tea as you want.

If you are regularly drinking green tea for its health benefits, decaffeinated green tea extract should provide those during the recovery period.

rhinoplasty patient drinking cocktail

Can I drink hot drinks after surgery?

Hor drinks, including coffee and tea, but also other hot beverages such as hot chocolate should be avoided during the fists 3 days following a nose job.

The sinuses are stimulated by the heat, potentially causing more nasal mucus buildup and bleeding in your nasal area.

Hot drinks and meals can also dilate blood vessels and increase the swelling of your surgery area.

What about cold or frozen drinks?

Avoid frozen or cold drinks during the recovery period. The last thing you wanna risk is catching a cold or even just a sore throat while your nose is still blocked and bleeding after surgery.

Consume cool or room temperature drinks until your nose is healed.

Drinking water after surgery

Your body needs plenty of water to help the healing process. Drink 2 liters of water during the first 2 days after the procedure. Keep up this rate in the following days too if you can.

When can I drink after my nose job?

You can start drinking water soon after surgery. It’s best to stay with water or room temperature soft drinks, juices, or decaffeinated tea.

If the recovery process is going well after 3 days, you can start raising the temperature of your coffee or tea gradually, still keeping it decaffeinated if possible.

If you must drink caffeine, start with small amounts after 3 days. Keep in mind that you still need plenty of sleep during this period so make sure that caffeine does not interfere with rest.

It’s best to stay off alcohol until full recovery but if you have a celebration coming up after a week, you can make an exemption.

If you drink low to moderate amounts of alcohol after surgery, this is unlikely to increase your risk of complications.

Drinking more, however, increases your risk. You can negatively affect your immune system with as little as two or three drinks per day.

Should I use a straw or a glass?

There is conflicting information around the web regarding the use of straws for drinking after nose surgery.

You can drink with a straw, just as you can drink from a cup. The most important thing is to do it carefully either way.

When you are drinking from a straw, do it slowly and avoid sucking on it too hard, trying to drink the last remaining liquid from the bottom of the glass.

When using a cup or a glass, make sure you don’t bump your nose into the brim in the process.

FAQ

Can drinking ruin rhinoplasty?

After rhinoplasty surgery, swelling usually occurs naturally as part of the healing process. Alcohol consumption can enhance this. 

The risk of prolonged bleeding increases with alcohol consumption, which makes recovery longer and introduces potential complications.

Does drinking water help reduce swelling after surgery?

Ample hydration is essential to maintaining optimum health and keeping your body working effectively. During recovery from surgery, this is particularly true.

Following surgery, prevent any bruising or swelling by staying hydrated. It will also help the body heal properly.

Can I drink milk after rhinoplasty?

Stay away from milk and other dairy drinks after a nose job. Milk can cause higher congestion for some patients so it’s best to avoid it during the first week.

Can you drink before a nose job?

For one week prior to your surgery date, do not drink any alcoholic beverages. You should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking prescription medications. Anesthetic medications are affected by alcohol which can interfere with your surgery. Alcohol may also cause excessive bleeding.

Sanjay Rai
Sanjay Rai

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