Can I Wear a Mask Over My Nose After Rhinoplasty? Beware of Mask After Rhinoplasty

• 8 September, 2023

Interest in aesthetics increased during the pandemic period. Rhinoplasty is one of the most demanded procedures. However, there are also those who postpone this dream to another spring due to Covid-19 concerns. We asked Op. Dr. Volkan Kahya, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgeon, whether there is any harm in having rhinoplasty during the pandemic period. "If the rules are observed, there is no surgical obstacle," said Dr. Kahya, stating that it is a great advantage for those who spend this period working from home, and stated that he shuttled between Istanbul and Izmir and performed many operations, especially during the pandemic period. He also made important warnings for after the operation.

Many people who are considering having a nose job postpone the operation to a later date due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Ear Nose Throat and Rhinoplasty Surgeon Op. Dr. Volkan Kahya said that if the pandemic rules are followed, the process can be overcome without any problems: "The whole world has been struggling with the Covid-19 virus for more than 1 year. Of course, this situation affects our lives in every aspect. First of all, we should try to protect ourselves from the effects of the disease and heed the warnings. We must pay attention to the mask and distance rule. We should be especially sensitive about vaccination and have our vaccinations in accordance with the vaccination calendar determined by the Ministry of Health. When we take all these measures, we can adapt to our daily life much more easily and return to our old life. When we evaluate it in this context, there is no surgical obstacle for rhinoplasty."

ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE RECOVERY PROCESS

Op. Dr. Volkan Kahya added that the pandemic period is advantageous in terms of having a comfortable recovery process: "It is possible to use the periods we stay at home due to restrictions as a recovery period after rhinoplasty. Covid-19 measures are already taken at an advanced level in our hospitals where we operate our patients, and the health of our patients and their companions is always prioritised. We worked with great devotion in this regard in the operations I performed both in Izmir and Istanbul. The sensitivity of our patients on this issue also gives us great support, of course."

BEWARE OF MASK AFTER SURGERY

Dr. Kahya made important warnings to those who had rhinoplasty during this period for the postoperative process: "Rhinoplasty is a surgical operation that can be performed easily if appropriate conditions are provided during the epidemic period. However, some issues should be considered afterwards. For example, the mask worn for hygiene reasons should be a little looser, should not touch the tip of the nose too much and should not put pressure on the nose. The mask should not be hard enough to pull the tip of the nose downwards, and masks with fabric content should be preferred if possible. These are very important for our patients both in terms of their postoperative nose shape and protection from Covid-19. We recommend these patients to use a visor to protect the shape of the nose."