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How Soon After Rhinoplasty Can I Fly or Exercise?
asked 3 years ago by lfp8 in New York, NY
Latest answer by Stuart H. Bentkover, MD
Question viewed 39,331 times
I am scheduled to have an open rhinoplasty to slightly refine my nasal tip. Is there a certain amount of time I am supposed to wait before flying on an airplane, exercising, or even being intimate with my significant other?
26 answers to How Soon After Rhinoplasty Can I Fly or Exercise?
+4
Intimacy, Exercise, and Flying After Rhinoplasty
Hi I,
Let's save the best for last. Patients may fly 6-7 days following rhinoplasty. Patients may begin light walking at 4-7 days, but wait about 18-21 days before vigorous exercise.
Based on the previous two time periods, you are in the best "position" to determine when you can be intimate. My patients are allowed to "make love" after 10 days, but they must wait 18-21 days for vigorous "sex".
Make sure that you follow your surgeons instructions. Enjoy...
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+3
Exercise ok 6 weeks after Rhinoplasty
Every doctor is different, but I suggest 6 weeks for exercise. Intimacy is about being careful, so you can have fun earlier if you are careful. Concern for flying is about dryness. Be sure to humidify your nose frequently during your flight.
Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
New York Plastic Surgeon
+2
Flying After Rhinoplasty
Many of my patients are from all around the U.S.A. I allow my patients to fly within 7-10 days after I perform a rhinoplasty. We like to take out their internal nasal splints and make sure that they have nasal spray such as an Afrin type spray for middle ear decompression during take off and landing. One needs to also know there will be more swelling when flying after rhinoplasty for up to 3 months.
+2
Exercise, Activity and Flying after Rhinoplasty.
The main reason to limit exercise, activity and flying after rhinoplasty is to limit the swelling which could prolong recovery and to prevent a nose bleed. Nose bleeds typically occur within the first 24 hours, and then at days 7- 10 after the surgery, when the clot / scab comes off any incisions inside the nose. So, I do not have my patients fly or travel extensively for 48 hours after the rhinoplasty. They can travel, and many have flown back to their homes on days 3,4...
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+2
Exercise after Rhinoplasty
Our primary concerns with this are the potential for bleeding which are greatest within the first 24 hours and at 7-10 days after surgery. Therefore, physical exertion which can raise your blood pressure should be strictly avoided during this period.
In regards to physical contact, this depends on what was done. A reconstructive rhinoplasty with bone grafts and cartilage grafts requires greater protection than a simple tip rhinoplasty.
My general rule is to use the week number as the number...
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Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2
Limitations after Rhinoplasty
Restrictions after rhinoplasty generally are there to prevent bleeding in the post-operative period. For most surgery, problems with bleeding are usually encountered 7-10 days after the procedure. This is when increased activity can cause a clot to break off a partially healed vessel. These activities include things like nose blowing, strenuous lifting, intimacy, and exercise. We usually allow return to full activity after 2 weeks. Obviously, if there are any issues, that time period is...
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Richard W. Westreich, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2
No flying for 1 week, no exercise for 2 weeks
We ask our patients to delay any air travel for a minimum of 7 days after rhinoplasty. No exercise for a full 2 weeks; during the 3rd week patients start with a gentler work out to return to "full force" activity after 3 weeks. The same applies for heavy lifting etc.
For your final recommendations, please refer to the preferences of your rhinoplasty surgeon as he/she may differ from our routine.
Best wishes.
+1
Flying in 2 weeks, exercise in 3 weeks
We generally let our patients....
Fly in one week if they must, but I prefer 10 days to 2 weeks
Get on an elliptical machine in 3 weeks
Run in 3-4 weeks as long as it does not hurt. A lot of pressure transmits up to your nose when you plant your foot.
+1
When can you fly after rhinoplasty?
The reasons for restricting flying after rhinoplasty are several. There is an increased risk of barotrauma (pain arising from pressure in the sinuses and/or ears). The air humidity in planes is equivalent to the sahara, and thirdly there isn't a nearby hospital. Dryness can be managed, but the other 2 issues can't. Therefore 2 weeks is a reasonable line in the sand.
+1
Exercising after a rhinoplasty
The when to return to exercise after a rhino varies greatly from surgeon to surgeon. I tell my patients the following:
1. You can return to general daily life activities the day after surgery
2. Do not exercise till three days after the splint comes of which translated to 8-10 days after surgery.
3. At this point, listen to your body and do not over do it
4. Over exercising will not affect the structure of your nose. It may increase the...
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+1
Fly in 2 weeks, excercise in 3 weeks
This is my procedure policy for rhinoplasty, but in practice i alter this occassionally depending on the scope of the surgery. Excercising or flying too soon after surgery can lead to bleeding or swelling. This is because the activity, rise in body temperature, or changes in cabin pressure (for flying) can stimulate increased blood flow to the nose. As a rule of thumb, if any activity in the early period after surgery results in the nose throbbing, visibly...
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David W. Kim, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Activity after rhinoplasty
Activity after rhinoplasty can vary but there are certain principles that are more universal. You don't want any high impact activity for several (4-6) weeks. We encourage our patients to do light activity as early as a week after surgery. That would mean light arm weights, treadmill or elliptical work with mild cardio but no aggressive cardio for a month.
All the best,
Talmage J. Raine MD FACS
Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Recovery after rhinoplasty or nose job
Most patients are capable of returning to normal work out activity at 10-14 days after rhinoplasty. Contact sports should be avoided for 6-8 weeks after surgery. Airplane travel can begin approximately one week after surgery.
+1
Can I fly?
As for flying, I answer the same for patients having breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, liposuction, etc. It is recommended to remain local in the first 5-8 days post surgery. if there are any healing questions, I can address them. I have many patients flying to South Florida for surgery with me. i recommend post-op resting locally for at least a week.
The barometric changes from flying do not appear to affect the healing for this surgery. I would be...
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+1
Flying and activity after rhinoplasty
Flying after surgery is a common question. There is nothing inherent problematic about flying. The problem is that, when you fly, you are generally far away from me, and if something like a nose bleed occurred it would be harder to deal with, especially if it happened while you were actually on the plane.
So, in short, I like to keep my patients relatively close by for the first week after surgery.
As far as exercise is concerned. I encourage my...
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+1
How soon can I fly after a tip rhinoplasty
Rule of thumb in my practice:
Fly when you can afford it! If you use the routine post op care ( h2o2, ocean spray ) 8000 feet elevation should not be a problem 48 hours post op
Exercise; start easy, we don't want you to get your blood presure up for 2 weeks. Back to the gym in 4 weeks.
If intimacy gets your pressure up, cuddle for a couple of weeks. My experience has been most couples are put off by the splint.
Splint comes off in two weeks or sooner in the...
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Jon Sattler, MD
Glendora Plastic Surgeon
Glendora Plastic Surgeon
+1
Activities after Rhinoplasty
I perform over 300 rhinoplasty surgeries per year including major reconstructions and I routinely recommend a standard 2 week waiting period before flying or exercising. The reality is that we would like to avoid a nose bleed in this short interval. After this time frame you should feel very comfortable performing any activity you want including hiking, biking, swimming, yoga etc. Concerning intercourse, it is reasonable and safe to consider resuming non-vigorous activities...
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+1
Exercise after Rhinoplasty
Light physical exercise is beneficial after the first or second day following surgery. This means non-strenuous walking and gentle stretching exercises. By two weeks many patients can perform moderate exercise. Unrestricted aerobic exercise is probably best delayed for about a month. Flying is usually limited because of the need for splint removal at 7 days after surgery. However, I've had patients fly home on the third post operative day and then return on day 8 or 9 for splint...
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+1
Exercise & flying after rhinoplasty surgery
You should be safe to fly after one week. I would advise waiting 2 weeks before resuming aerobic exercise to avoid post operative bleeding. 6 weeks for contact like sports as if you get bumped in the nose it can shift.
Ran Y. Rubinstein, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
You can fly 1 week after Rhinoplasty
You can fly 1 week after Rhinoplasty. However, there is No scuba diving for 1 month after Rhinoplasty, due to extreme mask and middle ear pressures at depth.
Edward J. Gross, MD
Orlando Facial Plastic Surgeon
Orlando Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Activity After A Rhinoplasty
As every rhinoplasty performed is different, it is important that you consult with your primary surgeon first. In my practice, patients routinely fly out at 7 days after a rhinoplasty. It is important that you be aware that the altitude can cause swelling of the nose and your surgeon be aware of means to minimize this during your routine flight home.
The amount of exercise is gradually increased in patients over a span of 4 weeks. Light weights, light cardio...
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Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Exercise or fly 2 weeks after rhinoplasty
You can return to your normal exercise regimen two weeks after surgery. By this time, there should be no risk for bleeding. We generally recommend to wait the same amount of time before flying due to the bleeding risk. It will be very stressful to develop bleeding during your trip. However, sometimes patients' plans do not allow this window. We recommend these patients (if they must fly before 2 wks) to avoid any heavy lifting (ie limit carry on to less than 25 lbs) and instruct them...
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Corey S. Maas, MD
San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Activity after Rhinoplasty
I recommend that patients wait 7 to 10 days before they can fly and engage in light physical activity. They should wait 4 to 6 weeks for more strenuous activities, including sex.
Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1
Activities after Rhinoplasty
While you can probably fly after the nasal splint is removed, you may have discomfort with the air pressure changes on the plane for a few weeks. In terms of exercise, I tell patients aerobics after 3-4 weeks, heavy lifting after 6 weeks, and no glasses resting on bridge for at least 3-4 weeks.
+1
Exercise after rhinoplasty safe after four weeks
Lfp8,
In our practice we use open and closed rhinoplasty techniques and generally follow the same routine concerning exercise for both. I ask our patients to wait four weeks after to allow sufficient time for the shape to "set". There will still be stiffness and possibly some swelling, but the full activity should not affect the end result. Always keep in mind that the fractures created in rhinoplasty will cause the nose to be more easily broken in case of an accident or injury in...
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Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Best to wait two weeks
It is best to wait approximately two weeks before flying on an airplane or exercising because of the swelling. It is also not a good idea to exercise because of the potential for having a nosebleed in the immediate postoperative period. Altitude and air pressure changes in an airplane can also create headaches and facial pressure and pain.
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