Blowing Nose After Rhinoplasty?

Nose blowing after rhinoplasty varies based on the type of rhinoplasty.  Seek advice from your surgeon for your specific case.  Below are general guidelines for patients in my practice:


Rhinoplasty without septoplasty- May blow nose with care at 2 weeks after surgery

Rhinoplasty with septoplasty- May blow nose with care at 4-6 weeks after surgery

Rhinoplasty with septal perforation repair- May blow nose with care at 12 weeks after surgery


Blowing the nose can place pressure on the septomucoperichondrial flap and potentially lead to a perforation, nose bleeding, separation of mucoperichondrial flaps.  Until your physician gives you clearance to blow your nose, you can use saline to break up any secretions and then dab at the bottom of your nose.  

Nose blowing can cause damage to the new structure of your nose if done too soon after the surgery. It can tear and damage the tissue in your nose. Your surgeon will let you know the time frame for you as there's no standard for everyone.
I recommend my patients wait 4 to 6 weeks before they can safely blow their nose. Best wishes.

I advise my patients they are able to blow their nose or use a saline nasal spray from 2 weeks post surgery.

Light nasal blowing may be considered around one week following rhinoplasty surgery, unless your surgeon makes a restriction for you. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

It really depends on the specifics of the surgery.  Listen to your surgeon's aftercare advise.  Having said that, in general, I advise my patients that they can start blowing their nose gently with no twisting at 2 weeks.  You can use saline nasal spray to wash out any mucous, secretions, crusts, etc in the interim between surgery and 2 weeks.

                  It’s
not unusual for patients to have nasal congestion following rhinoplasty. This
is often secondary to swelling with crusting and scabbing within the nasal
passage. When this occurs, patients have an irresistible
urge to blow their nose.

                  We
generally, recommend that patients avoid blowing their nose for at least two
weeks following routine rhinoplasty and four to six weeks following
septoplasty.

                  When
patients blow their noses in the early post-operative period, they can
potentially damage the nasal mucous and cause bleeding. For this reason, we
generally recommend nasal saline irrigations in the immediate post-operative
period. 

Most surgeons recommend that patients refrain from blowing their nose form 2 weeks after surgery. This can increase the chances of a nose bleed.  Check with your individual surgeon for his or her specific instructions.

As long as you don't use a lot of force you can gently blow your nose after one week. We are only concerned with starting a nose bleed if you blow too hard.

As long as you did not have a septal perforation repair, which is a tricky reconstruction, and just had work on your nose or a possible septoplasty, I consider it safe to blow your nose carefully 2 weeks after surgery. I would not use the same force you normally use at that time, but gradually after that you can blow your nose and it shouldn't cause any trouble.
-David Mattos, Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Depending on the technique used and especially if a septoplasty and turbinates were performed, I would consider pretty safe to blow your nose after 2 weeks. Gentle and after cleaning it.