Look like I've got a potato on my face !!

[MiddleEasternMummy]

Hi everyone, not really an Aibu posting here for more traffic .
Two weeks ago I had a rhinoplasty , week of recovery was hell , sleeping sitting up , not being able to breath ... all the usual stuff . Anyway last week Wednesday I went to have my splint off and it looked swollen but not too bad , couldn't really see any major difference.
A few hours after I got home my god the swelling was horrendous, literally looked like I had a potato on my face . I cried my eyes out .
Keep getting up every morning hopeful the swelling has gone down even enough for me to venture outside ... it hasn't .
I'm feeling so anxious , there is some tough dried blood clots in my nose causing me discomfort also , even with the spray they won't budge.
Hospital saying this normal , I'm back at work Wednesday and dreading it . Look like a smacked arse .
I wasn't expecting results immediately but has anyone been through the same thing ? How long did it take the swelling to go down ?
How did you face the world ? Thanks for reading . Xx

Could you wear a mask maybe? Tell everyone you've got a bit of a cold coming on and you don't want to pass it about?

Oh OP, it will get better. For me, it was bruising more than swelling that took ages to go (all down my cheeks - not just the usual stuff across the sinus area). Are you taping it at night? I would try taping it all the time while you’re off. Other than that, I was told to do ‘massage’ which really meant sliding my index fingers (vertically) from bridge to outer cheeks.

The only other thing I can think of is a kenalog injection but I’m not sure they’d give you one so early. I had one at 6m (probably would have gotten it sooner if I’d gone for my 3m check up but I forgot and had a lot of stuff going on) for minor edema at the tip.

Is there any way to push out your return to work?

@RobertaFirmino

Could you wear a mask maybe? Tell everyone you've got a bit of a cold coming on and you don't want to pass it about?

Thank you so much for replying. I tried wearing a mask to do some shopping yesterday, I couldn't stand it my nose so sensitive or I would .

@ABitOfAShitShow

Oh OP, it will get better. For me, it was bruising more than swelling that took ages to go (all down my cheeks - not just the usual stuff across the sinus area). Are you taping it at night? I would try taping it all the time while you’re off. Other than that, I was told to do ‘massage’ which really meant sliding my index fingers (vertically) from bridge to outer cheeks.

The only other thing I can think of is a kenalog injection but I’m not sure they’d give you one so early. I had one at 6m (probably would have gotten it sooner if I’d gone for my 3m check up but I forgot and had a lot of stuff going on) for minor edema at the tip.

Is there any way to push out your return to work?

Again thank you for replying. I'm not sure what you mean by taping it ? I couldn't take any more time off . I work with the public so I can't even hide in a corner 😔

Have you been taking arnica?

@shouldistop

Have you been taking arnica?

The surgeon mentioned it to me . I was looking online . Do you recommend the tablets or gel ?

I hope you get better soon

Could you book some more time off?

If not, and you're in pain, get a sick note from the doctor?

@mountbattenbergcake

I hope you get better soon

Could you book some more time off?

If not, and you're in pain, get a sick note from the doctor?

I'm not in any pain just look like shrek . Unfortunately I'm the boss so would be giving the doctors note to myself . My staff have been amazing but I have to get back .

Are you taking painkillers? Ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory as well.

Are you allowed to apply cold compresses? Ice packs etc might help reduce the swelling.

I'd use the tablets. Useless now but starting it much earlier (even before surgery) would have helped

I suspect that you are more aware of it than anyone else. Depending on your role many of your clients might not even notice and even if they did they wouldn't think anything of it.
I had a panel interview 3 weeks after a septoplasty (less bruising but still had stitches up my nose) and nobody noticed and I got the role.

I’m guessing the rhinoplasty isn’t a secret within your team, since you say they’ve been supportive. I think you have no option but to put on a smile and a laugh. It probably will go down, it’s very early days. Most customers won’t know the difference so it might not be that big a deal other than with the people you know.

This may be completely unhelpful but can you ice it to reduce swelling?

Usually when you get your cast off they tell you to tape it up at night for a few weeks. They use flesh-coloured, slightly stronger tape but normal white micropore does the trick.

I’ll try to attach a photo but it’s not quite right. I did over the bridge (most of it, not just a small part) and round the tip (but above, not covering, the nostrils).

Thank you everyone. I'm definitely going try the taping . Stressing over it isn't going to change anything. I need to be more patient.
I'm just going to go out there and own it xx

Tbh one of my friends had a nose job, it was quite interesting and the recovery took a little while (she documented it via social media) but I don’t remember thinking anything of it other than it being quite a talking point. She was really open about it, and I think if you are then people will mostly be nice about it. And sympathetic if it’s obviously uncomfortable