Sleeping on Your Side After Rhinoplasty

It is not typically problematic for you to sleep on your side
after your rhinoplasty surgery. Still, I would strongly advise to be as careful
as possible especially during the initial week of your recovery. Try to avoid
too much movement so this can cause your nose to bump into your bed or pillow.
Actually, my best recommendation would be to sleep with 2 or 3 pillows under
your head. Not only will this likely be more comfortable, but sleeping with
your head elevated promotes blood circulation to the nose and can thus reduce
bruising and swelling.

Dear calicoreyThanks for the question. In general, I advice to my Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty patients to sleep in a position in which their head is elevated with two or three pillows to minimise the swelling and bruises and also it is easier for breathing. For your case you'd better share your problem about sleeping and I am sure he/she will give you better advice. I wish you all the best.

Recommendations for sleeping position following rhinoplasty
vary from surgeon to surgeon and depend upon a multitude of variables.In the vast majority of patients we recommend
sleeping in a recliner chair with the head elevated for at least a week
following surgery.This approach helps
minimize post-operative swelling and avoids inadvertent trauma to the
nose.Unfortunately, when patients are
side sleeping, they may not be aware of pressure that they’re applying to their
nose.This pressure has the potential to
displace nasal bones and damage the surgical result.It’s
important to realize that each patient’s situation is unique.For this reason, the management of this
problem occasionally needs to be modified.If you’re unable to sleep on your back, consultation with your plastic
surgeon is appropriate.Your surgeon
should be able to develop an alternative strategy.

I prefer that my rhinoplasty patients sleep with their head above their heart and in a midline position. This reduces swelling and nasal congestion, and minimizes chances of bumping your nose in the first week after the procedure. Sleeping preferentially on one side can also lead to some asymmetry in swelling and bruising. This generally will not affect your long term result, but can cause short term anxiety.
I would suggest buying an inflatable travel pillow in order to keep your head in the midline. Good luck with your recovery.

It really depends on what your surgeon tells you. I ask my patients to lay on their back with their head elevated for the first 2-3 days. After that they can lay flat. I dont want them laying on their side as they may roll onto their face until 2 weeks after surgery. But I know that this may be on the conservative side.
Every surgeon has different routine postoperatively so you need to contact your surgeon to see what the recommendations are.
Good luck.

During a rhinoplasty, we commonly have to break the nose. Bones take 4-8 weeks to heal in their new location, so any trauma or pressure during this time could could cause bones to move and compromise the outcome. After surgery, it is helpful to sleep on 3 pillows to help with swelling, and typically I recommend that people sleep on their backs. While some of us who sleep on our sides barely move at night, some of us move a lot. If you know you are calm sleeper and don't really move and are confident you won't turn your head into your pillow or something else in a way that could put pressure on your nose, go for it. If in doubt, it's safest to keep sleeping on your back for at least 2-4 weeks if you can get used to it, but I know it's very hard for some. Best of luck!
-Dr. David Mattos, New York Plastic Surgical Group

It is acceptable to sleep on the side of your face even at 30 to 45 degrees. It is very uncomfortable to sleep on your back, and it is a good idea to try to get a good night of sleep. It is preferable to keep the head and nose above the heart for swelling purposes in the immediate interim; however, this will not affect the longterm results of the rhinoplasty surgery.   Anticipate a cast applied across the bridge of the nose for 1 week, visible swelling and bruising for 2 weeks, however full healing is 1 year.

You want to allow gravity to help reduce swelling & minimize bruising. Sleep with your head elevated on several pillows, or sitting up 30-45 degrees in a chair, especially the first few nights following surgery.
Sleeping flat on your back or side should not have serious adverse effects. However, you may have more prolonged swelling, bruising, or bleeding.
Speak to your rhinoplasty surgeon and follow his/her post rhinoplasty instructions. Best of luck.

I think sleeping on your side is okay if it makes you comfortable so you can get a full night of rest.  The caveat is that you have to be careful of bumping your nose in your sleep. 

 Keeping your head elevated above your heart is important to reduce swelling which reaches its maximum after the third postop day.  If you use an airplane pillow (ie "Bucky") you can stay in the midline more easily.