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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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downtime post-op recovery

Back to regular after Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty recovery is different for everyone. A lot of the ease vs. extent of your recovery depends on the amount of bone manipulation that was done as well as how much work was done on the internal structures responsible for your nasal breathing (septum, turbinates). Average recovery is about 7 to 10 days. Some level of bruising and cheek and eye swelling is to be expected. After approximately the first three days, comfort level improves dramatically. Comfort often times is related to... more

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Ashkan Ghavami, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

+15

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 (see our Blog on Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty), 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... more

Peyman Solieman, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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C. Spencer Cochran, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Recovery after rhinoplasty

Recovery after rhinoplasty falls under may stages. When will you be able to go home? Typically the day of surgery. When can you watch TV and surf the internet? Typically that night, but don't make any major life decisions. By the next day, you should be feeling a lot better. Most patients will have a cast on their nose, and if you don't mind being seen in public with that cast, you can go outside, shop, see a movie, and sometimes even return to... more

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Philip Miller, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

David A. Ross, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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.... more

John Diaz, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Deason Dunagan, MD

Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

Howard T. Bellin, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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... more

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Sam Most, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

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.... more

Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty recovery

There are some generally accepted guidelines for recovery after rhinoplasty. Typically there is an initial swelling and bruising process that lasts four to ten days. You can be socially acceptable after five to six days. You should keep your head elevated for two weeks to minimize swelling and maximize healing. 95% of your result will be evident at six weeks. The final result will be manifest at six to nine months. All the best, Tal Raine MD FACS more

Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Rhinoplasty Recovery and What to Expect and How to Optimize Yours

Basic tips for planning and preparing for your rhinoplasty and optimizing your recovery: Good lifestyle -- a healthy balanced diet with adequate protein and a multivitamin setup your body for healing after surgery. Be realistic -- understand that there is no such thing as a perfect result, and that there is always a some possibility that you will have unfavorable results or need some sort of revision Time off -- allow adequate time off for your initial recovery (typically... more

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Nick Slenkovich, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Rhinoplasty Recovery

I recommend planning 4-5 days off from work. An important caveat, though is that some patients may have black eyes. Avoid any activity that will raise your blood pressure for 2 weeks post-Rhinoplasty. I also advise abstaining from high impact activities (jumping, running) for 6 weeks after Rhinoplasty. I usually leave an external splint for four- to five- days. It normally will take almost 18 months before you see the final shape of your new nose. more

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Rhinoplasty Recovery

I typically advise patients to take 10 days out of their social and work schedule if they want to "get away with it." Many patients look great at 6-7 days, when I remove the splint, but this seems to be dependent on the patient's skin type and propensity for bruising. Icing the nose, keeping your head elevated and taking Arnica Montana are all measures which seem to speed recovery. The majority of swelling resolves within this 10 day period but the last bit... more

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Umang Mehta, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Quick recovery after rhinoplasty

Here's what to expect after rhinoplasty: 1. Pain- very little discomfort, most patients don't take their pain medicines 2. Swelling- the most bruising and swelling is the first 48 hours, then subsides. Sometimes we give steroids to expedite this process 3. Packing- most times we don't pack the nose and patients like this 4. Bruising- The use of endoscopes and tissue glues minimizes bruising. All patients take vitamin C, arnica, pineapple, and bromelane prior to surgery. NO alcohol- this... more

Ramtin Kassir, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty generally takes about a week recovery, but subtle swelling can last

Rhinoplasty generally takes about a week recovery but subtle swelling can last for quite sometime. Most of the swelling and bruising usually takes about a week to resolve. Sometimes the recovery is less and sometimes more depending on the person. It also depends on what was done. If tip surgery only was done the recovery is a little faster. But reduction of the tip can take a long time for the subtle swelling to go down. The finer tip curves and smaller size can take... more

Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty recovery

The recovery from a rhinoplasty is completely subject to the amount of work that you've had done. If it isn't much then the recovery can be as short as a few days. If you needed the bones rearranged and some cartilage grafting then is may be as long as a couple of weeks before you're ready to do anything relatively demanding. You should expect sutures to be removed at a week and sometimes a splint will be needed to be removed at 2 weeks. The swelling will persist for a long time after... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Rhinoplasty Recovery

The evening of surgery-mostly sleeping and icing. Day 2 to 3: walking around in the house, watching TV, sedentary Day 4 to 7: walking in the back yard, doing phone and computer work Day 7: Splint comes off the nose. Back to work. Day 8 to 14: Walking for exercise Day 14 to 21: Running for exercise Day 21 onwards: Weight lifting and all other exericses. Regards

Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Normal course for rhinoplasty recovery

After nasal surgery, you can expect the following: Nasal splint on the outside of the nose for 1 week Possible bruising (black eyes) - if present, will be visible for 2 to 3 weeks Bothersome swelling inside the nose for 2-4 weeks Swelling / edema notable to others for 1 month Swelling visible for you and your surgeon for 1 year The final result of the rhinoplasty will not be present until a year has passed.

Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Five to seven days of downtime for Rhinoplasty

Most patients say that the post operative period is much easier than they thought it would be. Few have difficulty with pain. There is a period of nasal stuffiness due to internal swelling that usually goes away in 7 to 10 days. We usually recommend no heavy exercise for 2 weeks but allow post surgical patients to start up on a treadmill one week after surgery. Most people take a week off of work but those who are type A are always itching to get back to work. The main hinderance is the... more

Steven H. Dayan, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

What to expect during rhinoplasty recovery

The surgery itself is not significantly painful. However, many patients experience a headache the first day after surgery. Most patients will have some degree of visible bruising and swelling for the first two weeks after the surgery. The cast will stay on for approximately one week. The patient should not exercise or increase their heart rate, blood pressure for two weeks after the surgery in order to keep the swelling down and avoid a nosebleed. Aspirin should not be used as a pain... more

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William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty recovery today surprisingly fast.

Rhinoplasties with today’s techniques, fortunately, are not a long recovery. Most of my patients are pleasantly surprised by the experience. Although there is some discomfort, most patients describe it as less than they would expect. Typically after surgery patients have tape and a splint on their nose for one week. They also have absorbable stitches in the nose and often a few stitches underneath the nose that need to be taken out. Shortly after that first week when the stitches, tape... more

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Mark Hamilton, MD

Indianapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Post-Rhinoplasty Down TIme

I define downtime as the time that you are really "down." That means the immediate post-operative recovery time. Post-rhinoplasty patients stay in our facility for at least an hour and then are discharged to home. There is a plastic cast placed at surgery to support the reset nasal bones. There is no intranasal packing unless a septoplasty is performed at the same time. Patients are recommended to rest with ice or bags of frozen peas over their... more

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Jonathan Berman, MD

Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Everyone heals differently...

Everyone heals differently, but most patients can expect some swelling and bruising around the eye area for the first few days. You may have a stuffy feeling and experience mild bleeding. All activity should be restricted. You must rest with your head elevated to minimize the swelling. Within the first week, you may resume very light activity, and bandages and gauze packing will be removed. You may use cosmetics to cover any discoloration. Within 7-10 days,... more