Nose Surgery Recovery Time?

Thanks for your question - It depends on exactly what you mean. If you mean to a trained eye there may always be signs of previous surgery. If you're referring to people that know you well... a dramatic change in your nasal contour will probably always be noticeable. If you're referring to swelling and bruising post-op - Most bruising will resolve in 2-3 weeks. The swelling can be more variable and can depend on what type and how much work you've had done. Nasal tip swelling is usually the l more

Hi Gr8P in SF, The time period for the signs of rhinoplasty to be undetectable by the public eye varies anywhere from one week to forever, depending on many factors. A subtle rhinoplasty by an expert rhinoplastic surgeon who handles the nasal tissues with gentle care and operates in the proper surgical plane may be very presentable to the public within one week. On the other hand, we have all seen rhinoplasties that are not only noticeable from across the room, but for years after the... more

Generally, any friends will know immediately and forever if significant changes were made. If you are asking whether someone who never knew you, will be able to tell if you have had surgery, that is possible at 3 weeks. In regards to swelling, it may take 6 months before 95% of the swelling is resolved. That is why we frequently do not judge or take pictures until 6 months after surgery.

Most of my patients return to work a maximum of two weeks postop and frequently do so after one week. Obviously, if changes are made to the appearance of the nose, they will be evident whether you reveal it one week or three weeks postop. In terms of bruising or black eyes, these are variable and it is difficult to predict their duration as everyone heals differently.

Recovery varies from patient to patient for physiologic, anatomic, and psychological standpoints. Variables include the extent of the Rhinoplasty procedure, the need or lack thereof for osteotomies (breaking the nasal bones), and the tendency for a patient to bruise. In my hands, the nasal cast is generally removed at 1 week and the nose is retaped with brown paper tape for a 2nd week. From a public perception standpoint, most observers will not be able to diffrentiate... more

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 removed after one week, the nose will look swollen. Usually by the end of the second week, the swelling and bruising have subsided enough that the casual observer will not readily notice that the nose has been operated on. To the patient, the nose will look swollen... more

Most patients are able to return to work in 10 days after a nasal surgery. They are able to get back in their normal social activities and exercise approximately 10 to 14 days after resetting the nasal bones.

For most patients bruising resolves after about 10 days and post-operative swelling is only minimally visible after 30 days. However, many variables can enter into the timeframe for the individual: did you are osteotomies (bone cuts which can increase swelling and brusing), did you have an "open" or "closed" rhinoplasty, did the rhinoplasty involved major work or just a refinement, what was the skill and experience of your rhinoplasty surgeon. Conservatively, you... more

Bruising is the main issue after nasal surgery. Swelling is mostly gone in 7-10 days, but there are exceptions. We say that the nasal swelling is completely gone in 6-12 months.

I tell patients 6 weeks for the internal swelling to go down to see what the maximal breathing improvement will be. External swelling takes much longer. I tell patient that by 1 week after surgery 50% of the swelling has gone down, by week 2 75% of swelling has gone down, by week 3 90% of welling has gone down, the last 10% of swelling takes 6-12 months to completely go away, particularly in the nasal tip which is the dependent portion of the nose. Making smaller noses larger to improve... more