Recovery After a Nose Job That Requires Breaking the Bone

What is recovery like when you have a nose job where the bone is broken in order to reshape the nose?

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by Jen in NJ in Madison, NJ

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Osteotomies and recovery from rhinoplasty

Following a rhinoplasty where osteotomies are performed, the initial recovery will be around 2 weeks. You will have a hard cast on your nose the first week, and brown paper tape the second week. For the first week, you will be taking it easy. Sleeping with your head elevated and resting throughout the day is important. You will gradually increase activity the second week. When osteotomies are performed, bruising around the eyes will be present for around two weeks. The bruising... more

Osteotomies and rhino recovery

Recovery is a patient specific thing but in general a rhinoplasty with breaking the bone will take a little while longer to heal than one without. This is due to a little more bruising and swellling. But when done well the recovery does not need to be that bad This is a generally opinion: one should not avoid Osteotomies just because the recovery might be longer. If they are needed they are needed and they have a powerful affect on the upper 1/3 of the nose.... more

Rhinoplasty recovery after osteotomies

The recovery isn't normally very different if you do or don't have controlled bone fractures (osteotomies) done during surgery. You'll have a higher chance of having bruising afterward, but the pain is usually about the same.

Recovery after Rhinoplasty with Breaking the Nasal Bones

In most rhinoplasty surgery the nasal bones are broken. The cast and and external sutures are removed 6-7 days after surgery. Swelling and bruising are obvious for about 10 days. I tell my patients to avoid strenuous physical activities for 2 weeks and the risk of any nasal trauma for 6 weeks. These are basic recommendations but discuss recovery with your surgeon who knows what will be done in your operation.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

9 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Rhinoplasty

Most rhinoplasty requires some controlled fraturing of the nasal bones. Usualy the recovery is the same. The splint comes off in a week and most bruising goes away in 10-14 days( realistically)

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breaking the bone with rhinoplasty

Sometimes the nasal bones need to be moved or narrowed slightly when performing rhinoplasty. This is rarely perceived by the patient and is not as bad or painful as it sounds. I find that the swelling is socially acceptable within 5 to 7 days following the surgery. About 1 in 5 people will have a small bruise as a result of this.

Breaking the nose during rhinoplasty

I get this question all the time from patients. "Doc, do you really have to break my nose?!?" First off, a little background... Breaking the nose in rhinoplasty refers to the making of osteotomies, which are thin, controlled, and curved fractures in the nasal bones. These may be done to narrow the nasal bones, straighten them, or to bring them together after a hump is removed. There are three types, medial, lateral, and intermediate. Medial osteotomies are made from the... more

In my hands, it's the same

Recovery is quick with a rhinoplasty weather or not you break the bones. The swelling is the worst at day 3 - it gets progressively better after that. The same for black and blue. Most people are out of work for no more than 5 - 7 days ==. Breaking the bones is very common and does not add to swelling in my patients.

Timeline for Nasal Fracture after Rhinoplasty

When the nasal bones are fractured to re-position the bone during rhinoplasty there is more swelling than if the nasal bones are not manipulated. The swelling peaks between 48 and 72 hours then slowly resolves over the next week. a nasal splint is worn for the first week so that when the splint is removed the majority of the swelling has resolved. Swelling for nasal in-fracture is distinctly different that nasal tip swelling after alteration of... more

What is the typical recovery following nose job (rhinoplasty)?

It is difficult to answer your question accurately without knowing exactly what procedure will be performed. If the nasal bones and cut and respositioned to straighten the nose then recovery is fairly straightforward. You require tape and a plastic nasal splint for about one week. You can have swelling and bruising for 2-3 weeks. If a more involved rhinoplasty is performed where a bump is taken off the bridge or the nasal tip is modified then you can experience more prolonged swelling of the... more