Rhinoplasty: Q&A
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Rhinoplasty Recovery
What is the typical rhinoplasty recovery like? What can I expect? How long after a nose job does it take to heal and how long before you can go back to work, the swelling goes down, etc?
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72 Doctor Answers |
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anon
+26
Recovering from rhinoplasty is not as bad as you may think!
Like any surgery, Rhinoplasty is a little bit different for everybody. That’s why it is useful, and we encourage you, to talk to others who’ve had the procedure to get a sense of their experience. There are some common themes though, as far as recovery goes.
Whatever technique is used, you can expect to have some dull aching and headache afterwards for a short time. In the absence of an infection or other problem, severe pain is very uncommon. Most of our patients may take...
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Rhinoplasty Recovery: What to Expect
The "downtime" following rhinoplasty is variable depending on what rhinoplasty techniques are used such as whether the surgery was performed open or closed, whether any tip work was performed, and whether the nasal bones were broken (osteotomies). Patients who undergo open rhinoplasty typically have more edema (swelling) that persists longer compared to patients in whom closed rhinoplasty techniques were used. If the nose was surgically broken by performing osteotomies then there...
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Recovery after rhinoplasty
The recovery after rhinoplasty varies for everyone. However, these are the general guidelines I give to patients.
1. It doesn't hurt as much as you would think. Most patients tell me the rhinoplasty wasn't as painful as they expected.
2. The first day is the most uncomfortable. You might have a little nausea and some discomfort which pain pills will take care of.
3. After about 2-3 days, you will feel pretty good.
4. The tapes and the protective splint need to stay on for at least 7 days....
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Rhinoplasty Recovery Takes About Two Weeks-Final Result One Year
Thank you for your question. After Rhinoplasty the external splint comes off between 10-12 days. Bruising can last two to three weeks. Most patients do not complain of pain but complain that the nose is "stopped Up."
Final results, that is the time for the very last of the swelling to resolve and show the details of the new tip, can take a year. You will however look fine and see most of your result by 6 weeks.
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You look much worse than you feel during Rhinoplasty recovery
Many patients considering Nasal Cosmetic Surgery have been exposed to a relative or friend who has already completed the procedure. If they have actually seen this individual during the recovery phase of they expect the worst. The post rhinoplasty patients' face is bruised,swollen and they are sporting a characteristic nasal bandage called a splint. If you see someone in this condition naturally you would assume they would also be in lots of pain. Surprisingly, they are not. When I...
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Rhinoplasty Recovery
Pain requiring narcotic pain medications is usually only significant for a few days after rhinoplasty. Most patients complain of a dull, aching sensation that is present for 2-3 weeks after surgery.
The amount of swelling you will experience depends on whether you have an open versus closed rhinoplasty. In an open procedure, you will have a small incision made across the base of your nose, between the nostrils. This allows your surgeon to elevate the nasal skin from the underlying support...
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After rhinoplasty, a tape dressing and a protective...
After rhinoplasty, a tape dressing and a protective shell will cover the bridge of the nose for 5 to7 days. This nose dressing is kept dry for a week, and Vaseline ointment is placed inside the nostril a few times a day.
No packing is used inside the nose, which means you can breathe through it, but you should still avoid blowing your nose for 2 weeks after surgery.
One week is usually enough time for returning to work and social activities, but some people may need up to 2 weeks....
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Recovering after a rhinoplasty
After a rhinoplasty, patients wear an external splint on their nose for 7 days. Internal splints may also be required and they are generally worn for 7 days, too. These splints help minimize swelling and also help keep the nose in proper position as it heals. Once the splint is removed, we typically ask patients to continue wearing it at night for another 7 days.
As far as how a rhinoplasty feels post-op, patients typically report it feels similar to having the flu, with a congested nose...
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Recovery after rhinoplasty
There is rarely any pain after the surgery. Most of my patients do not take any pain medication after the operation.
You will have a bandage on your nose for one week and some black and blue under your eyes that lasts a week to ten days. I will ask you not to do any vigorous exercise for three weeks, but you will be able to do all of your normal activities beginning the day after the operation.
You will see most of the results when the bandage comes off, but you may not see the final result...
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Immediately after surgery, we typically place...
Immediately after surgery, we typically place steri-strip (tape) followed by a thermoplastic (custom contoured) splint or shell over the nose. Stitches may or may not be present on the columella (the bridge of tissue between the nostrils). I avoid packing the nose, and patients find this much more comfortable.
After about 7 days, all of these are removed.
My general guidelines are (and they may vary by individual):
•No blood thinning medicines for 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after...
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