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Will I Look Like I Was in a Bar Fight After a Nose Job?

asked 2 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Samuel Lam, MD
Question viewed 2,177 times
Tags: black eye, recovery

...and I lost! I mean, black eyes and bruises that last for weeks. I really need to fix my crooked nose (broken a few times--not in fights!). thanks Doctors!

21 answers to Will I Look Like I Was in a Bar Fight After a Nose Job?

+1

If the surgeon is experienced and the case is straightforward, you should not look that bad.

I am reposting this answer to a related question: Unless we are talking about a very difficult and extensive revision procedure, the majority of the recovery period depends on your surgeon's experience and technique. I truly believe the single biggest thing that can lead to either a massive recovery or a small one is what instrument the surgeon uses to perform the osteotomies (bone breaking in common parlance) and of course what his skills are. If the surgeon is unskilled... more
Samuel Lam, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Black eyes

All patients are different as are all rhinoplasties, however certain techniques can be used  thatt will lessen post operative swelling. Most important is to hold pressure on the osteotomy sites for 5 minutes after they are done, this lessens bleeding into the tissues and subsequent black and blue. Next go to a surgeon with lots of experience because you want someone that can complete even a " tough" complicted rhinoplasty in less than 2 hours. After 2 hours in operating... more
Richard Galitz, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bruising and swelling after Rhinoplasty

Patients may have bruising and obvious swelling for 1-3 weeks. After this, although swelling exists, it usually subsides enough so that the nose does not look as though it has been injured. Residual swelling may take as long as 6 months to totally subside. However, this is relatively subtle and ususally of no great aesthetic concern. Bruising is more likely when the bones of the nose are repositioned to narrow its width.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bruising and swelling after rhinoplasty surgery

Yes, and no. Your immediate appearance after rhinoplasty largely depends on the exact rhinoplasty procedure, and your bodies natural healing ability. For patients with deviated or twisted noses, and history of broken noses, then one should expect some black and blue eyes right after surgery. Most bruising and swelling after rhinoplasty surgery is usually not as severe as seen in traumatic injuries. Bruising and swelling with nasal surgery occurs both on the outside and inside of the nose.... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bruising after a rhinoplasty will last approximately seven days.

Bruising after a rhinoplasty will last approximately seven days. On occasion, it may last upwards of 10 to 14 days. The swelling can last a little bit longer. The majority of patients are able to get back into their normal social activities at two weeks after surgery.
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

+1

Rhinoplasty bruising and swelling depend on both you and your surgeon

Patients can help reduce swelling and bruising by following instructions, particularly those which advise patients to refrain from strenous activities the first several days after surgery. Walking is great, but don't run back to the gym just because you feel OK. You see, the more active you are the higher your blood pressure runs and the higher the pressure the more leakage of blood being forced out of the blood vessels into the tissues. What you see as bruising is blood that has leaked... more
Robert Kotler, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery after Rhinoplasty

Hi Will, Here's what you can expect after your rhinoplasty: You will have a splint on your nose for a week or two. You can expect bruising between your eyes and nose, usually up to 2 weeks. The bruising does tend to be worse in men, and also with your history of previously broken noses. Swelling will be present for a year, but half gone at about 3 months. It's important to avoid contact sports and not reinjure your nose, particularly in the first 6 weeks after surgery. I'm a board... more
Edmund Fisher, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Black Eyes after a Nosejob

No, it should not look like that. Some bruising is expected. You can minimize your chances of bruising by taking Arnica pills (a homeopathic remedy) before and after your surgery. Do not take any Aspirin, Motrin, Excedrin, Aleve or similar products for 2 weeks before surgery. Do not take any supplements like fish oil, omega 3 etc for 2 weeks. No Alcohol for a few days (3-5days) before surgery. If you have blood pressure make sure it is well controlled by your internist before surgery. Then... more
Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

You won't be missing any teeth,, but you may have "raccoon eyes"

If you are having an extensive rhinoplasty with both inside work and outside work, you will have bruising, especially if the nasal bones have to be fractured and repositioned. For work on the tip or internal work only on the septum, you shouldn't have significant bruising . The bruising itself lasts anywhere from 5-10 days. Of course you could always tell people that you were in a bar fight if you did not want them to think you had a nose job.
Joseph M. Perlman, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rhinoplasty Recovery

Recovery from a rhinoplasty follows a normal progression over the first several weeks and months after surgery. The two biggest questions that patients frequently have about rhinoplasty recovery concern the degree of swelling and the amount of bruising. SWELLING The nose undergoes significant changes in the first 2 to 12 weeks following rhinoplasty. The swelling gradually dissipates over the first several months and thus the appearance of the nose changes gradually. When the cast is... more
C. Spencer Cochran, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.rhinoplasty-usa.com

+1

Rhinoplasty, How Long Does the Bruising and Swelling Last

Hi Will, You do not necessarily have to look like you lost an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight after having rhinoplasty. Every surgeon is different, and as you can tell from the variety of answers to your question here on RealSelf, some create more bruising and swelling than others. I have found that when the proper techniques are used, my patients have a small amount of bruising around their eyes that looks like a bit of bluish-purple eye shadow for two to seven days. Most of their... more
Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Likely yes.

Depending won what exactly is required to correct the deformities, you may count on black eyes and some degree of swelling.  The swelling is mostly limited to the nose, but some swelling of the cheeks is common.  The black eyes tend to linger longer in the lower lids. sek
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bruising from Rhinoplasty

Meticulous attention to detail can minimize bruising. However, if you broke your nose several times before, as you stated, then I suspect any bruising which might occur should be something you have dealt with before. If your nose is crooked, you have to decide either to simply live with it, or have surgery. This is not something that you can diet and excercise away.
Darrick E. Antell, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Appearance after a nose job

Dear Will, A crooked nose often involves a crooked septum and the underlying septum support (the vomer) and the nasal bones may be twisted,deviated or involved. The process of straightening the nose may involve several surgical maneuvers to correct each one of these components. But commonly it involves controlled fractures of the sides of the nose WHICH may lead to bruising for up to 10 days. If you "really need to fix my (your) crooked nose", then you should be accepting of all... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

If you need it fixed - go for it.

Most people who have a rhinoplasy develop some black and blue and bruising. Get a consultions with a board certified plastic surgeon with a lot of experience with noses. It does not guarantee you a non bruised result - but you should end up with a great looking nose. Remember - the done nose you will have for the rest of your life - some bruising usually lasts no more than three weeks.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Yes you'll have some bruising and swelling

Inevitably you will have quite a bit of swelling and bruising after rhinoplasty surgery. Every patient bruises and swells to a different degree. Having an asymmetric nose requires the nasal bones to be manipulated to give you better symmetry and this will cause more bruising. Bruising will go away faster then the swelling. Minor swelling can last up to a year after rhinoplasty, but I tell most patients 90% should be gone in 6-8 weeks. Arnica may help reduce some of your post-operative... more
Samson Lee, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Usually bruised after Rhinoplasty for about 2 weeks

You usually have bruising for about two weeks after a rhinoplasty. Some people even a shorter time. It's worth the bruisingto get the result. Better two weeks of bruising than a lifetime with a crooked nose.
G. Gregory Gallico III, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rhinoplasty post-op appearance

Bruising post-op varies. If the nasal bones are fractured, bruising tends to stay around for about 2 weeks. If it persists, the female patients usually place cover up over the bruising.  Selling can persist for months.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rhinoplasty

Just like any other plastic surgery, rhinoplasty is a real surgery. It is not like getting your hair cut or going for a facial. You have to expect some recovery time, in which you have bruising and swelling. With rhinoplasty, you usually get mild bruising and swelling - this is to be expected.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Steps to decrease bruising following rhinoplasty surgery

It is impossible to determine or predict how much swelling and bruising a patient will have following a rhinoplasty. The type of procedure performed as well as the technique used for the nasal fracture will all make differences. All patients are concerned about bruising after any facial procedure. There are 5 things that you can do to help decrease the amount of bruising 1. Do not take any aspirin or aspirin containing products for 2 weeks prior to your surgery. It is also advisable to... more
Jeffrey Zwiren, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Black eye after Rhinoplasty

The nose is under cast and tape dressing for one week after surgery. However, the lower eyelid area can be bruised, especially if lateral osteotomies are performed in the surgery. The bruising and swelling goes away gradually over 7-10 days.
Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

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