Dr. Thomas BuonassisiFacial Plastic Surgeon · 8 West Clinic, Vancouver
Published July 2026·Medically reviewed by Dr. Buonassisi
KEY TAKEAWAYS — IN THIS VIDEO
<ul><li>Post-op dressing provides compression and prevents bleeding but is removed at the two-day appointment.</li><li>Hemostatic netting sutures stabilize tissues and act as drainage points, removed on day two post-op.</li><li>Drains prevent hematoma by removing excess fluid and are vented and removed during the two-day follow-up.</li></ul>
Dr. Buonassisi · Two Day Post-op Dressing & Suture Removal
Dr. Thomas Buonassisi, FRCSC, ABFPRSAuthor · Reviewer
Facial Plastic Surgeon · Founder, 8 West Clinic · Vancouver, BC
Dr. Buonassisi is a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in facial surgery exclusively. He has performed over 2,500 rhinoplasties and is the founder of 8 West Clinic in Vancouver. All content in the Knowledge Hub is written or reviewed directly by Dr. Buonassisi.
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<h2>What Happens During the Two-Day Post-Op Appointment?</h2><p>In the early stages of rhinoplasty recovery, patients often have a significant dressing applied to the surgical area. This dressing is crucial as it provides compression and helps prevent bleeding. However, it is not meant to stay on for long periods. During the two-day post-op appointment, this dressing is typically removed. Patients might notice some messiness underneath, which is normal despite efforts to clean the area post-surgery.</p><p>Dr. Thomas Buonassisi, MD, FRCSC — Specialist in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, with a practice limited to facial plastic surgeries — explains that the removal of this dressing is a standard part of the recovery process. It allows for better inspection of the surgical site and ensures that any necessary adjustments can be made promptly.</p><h2>Why Are Hemostatic Netting Sutures Used?</h2><p>Hemostatic netting sutures play a vital role in the initial stages of rhinoplasty recovery. These sutures help to stabilize the nasal tissues and act as drainage points for any blood accumulation. While some areas may be more tender than others during suture removal, these sutures are designed to close up quickly, minimizing discomfort and promoting healing.</p><p>Dr. Buonassisi notes that these specific sutures are removed on the second day post-op, while other stitches remain for about a week. The remaining sutures typically dissolve within ten to fourteen days, ensuring a smooth transition through the recovery phases.</p><h2>Understanding the Role of Drains in Rhinoplasty Recovery</h2><p>Drains are another essential component in the early recovery period. They work on a suction mechanism to remove excess fluid, preventing the formation of hematomas. Patients are often instructed on how to manage these drains, including emptying them as needed.</p><p>During the two-day post-op appointment, the drains are vented and removed. This process involves cutting the stitch and venting the drain to release suction, allowing for safe removal. Dr. Buonassisi emphasizes the importance of this step in preventing complications and ensuring optimal healing.</p><h2>What to Expect After Suture and Drain Removal</h2><p>Once the sutures and drains are removed, patients can expect a more comfortable recovery experience. The removal of these components marks a significant milestone in the healing process, allowing the patient to transition to the next phase of recovery.</p><p>Dr. Buonassisi advises that while some tenderness and minor discomfort are normal, these symptoms typically subside quickly. Patients are encouraged to follow post-operative care instructions closely to support healing and achieve the best possible results.</p>
Full Transcript
Good breath. And come on. So Jen is here for her two day post op appointment, and all the two day post op patients will usually have this big dressing on to help provide compression to the area and keep things from bleeding, but there's no need for it to stay on this long, so we are going to be removing it today. Now when this comes off, things are like a little bit messy underneath. We do our best to try and clean everything up after the surgery, but it's pretty challenging. The next thing that needs to happen is these hemostatic netting sutures come out. So these are put in to kind of help tap everything in position and also to act as little drainage spots if there is any blood accumulation. Some more more tender than others. Sometimes you can see tiny little dots from those sutures. Those close-up, like, pretty quickly. These stitches come out on day two. All the other stitches are in there for a week. They take about ten to fourteen days to dissolve, and then the staples come out at a week as well. Now that the sutures are out, we can remove the drains. So Jen's familiar with these drains because she's been emptying them, but basically they work on suction. So the suction from the drain will pull the extra fluid out, so it prevents hematoma from forming. But to remove them, we need to start by venting them. So we're gonna open them up. Okay. So now that the stitch has been cut and the drain has been vented, it can be removed. Good breath.
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