What is the exact healing process after Rhinoplasty?

After rhinoplasty the situation is relatively stable within a week or so. By six weeks it would take nearly as much force to damage the result as it would to break the nose in an un-operated upon state.

Although everyone heals differently after a rhinoplasty procedure, there are certain norms that you can expect. If your surgery requires a nasal fracture, your bone will never be as strong as it originally was. Most patients notice a lot of external healing within the first few weeks following their rhinoplasty. These are the changes that you will notice when you look in the mirror. Any swelling and bruising should start to resolve and you can begin to enjoy the results of your rhinoplasty. In terms of internal swelling, it can take up for 2 years to completely go away. You won’t be able to tell from the outside, but the inside of your nose may take up to two years to completely heal. I recommend asking your surgeon about any other specific things to expect, as they will know the details about exactly what is being done during your rhinoplasty procedure.

The cosmetic result after rhinoplasty surgery is dynamic, and changes slowly over time. Allow yourself twelve months of recovery before critically evaluating your rhinoplasty result. The internal structure of the nose heals quickly, but scar formation and post operative swelling resolution does change the appearance of the nose over time.

Healing following rhinoplasty is patient dependent, and can be a bit unpredictable. Swelling usually takes about one year to subside, but 80% of swelling is usually gone by two months post-op. Bones take about 6-8 weeks to heal with callous formation following fracture. However, that does not mean that your nose will be as strong after surgery as it was before. In fact, it can be weaker unless proper structural support is placed...which is why I am a fan of open structure rhinoplasty techniques.

I generally allow my patient to wear sunglasses at 6-8 weeks time.  By then the bones have healed sufficiently.  However, it does take about 1 year before the shape of the nose stops changing.  The majority of changes occur during the first 6 months, but it isn't until 1 year postop that we can say all the swelling is gone.Hope that helps.

Despite the fact that every body heals differently on its own way there are general rules for the healing process after a Rhinoplasty in the first weeks the patient will see the face swellings disappeared and their nose starts taking its new shape by the first month in average 6 weeks. However the patient shouldn't wear glasses or do sports during the first month as the bone and cartilage hasn't totally healed yet the patient will notices the external healing. the internal swellings will still be there, depending on the type of rhinoplasty you undergo we can say more about the strength of the bone if there was breaking in the nose bone the bone may never be as strong as it was before however this doesn't mean it would be weak or it won't heal it takes in average from 6 months to one year to see the final results and to have the bone and cartilage healed completely. 

 After the rhinoplasty procedure, visible bruising and swelling lasts approximately 2 weeks. The cast stays on the nose for 6 days. It takes about 6 weeks for the nasal bones to heal, so is important not to undergo contact sports for that period time. The residual swelling can take upwards of a year to settle down, especially in the tip of the nose.

The nasal bones will heal at 4 weeks. I have my patients avoid physical activities for 4 weeks and avoid heavy sun glasses for 6 weeks.

Thank you for your question and your information is accurate though all swelling takes up to a year to resolveDr Corbin

 Hi, I have performed and taught Rhinoplasty for 30 years and every person will have a slightly different healing process following Rhinoplasty.  Healing (swelling, bruising and scar formation) varies based upon what was done during the Rhinoplasty (cartilage trimmed, bones rasped, bones broken, revision, excess sub-Q tissue, excess scar tissue removed, cartilage grafts placed and many other aspects).  In general for a primary (first time) Rhinoplasty the nose is swollen for about 6 months, 9 - 12 months in individuals with thick skin.  The majority of the swelling however is gone within the first 1 - 3 months.  A wafered plastic cast with paper tape is applied.  This is remove at 1 week.  I do not use any nasal packing in the nose.  Rhinoplasty patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for as well as physical contact, to the nose, for 1 month following the Rhinoplasty.  At 1 month we teach manual lymphatic drainage and encourage patients to perform this daily as a means to decrease swelling and prevent subsequent scar tissue formation. Hope this helps.