How Many Days Should I Have Someone Care for Me After Rhinoplasty?

Laurelee, most of our patients here in San Diego typically require some degree of assistance for only 24 hours following rhinoplasty. Thereafter, they are, for the most part, on their feet capable of taking care of themselves fairly independently. Most of my rhinoplasty patients are off of the narcotic pain medication within 48 hours or so - even with osteotomies (where we break the nasal bone). I would consider it a luxury to have someone caring for you for longer periods of time. That being said, there are always exceptions to every rule. If you have more pain than average or experience more bleeding, for instance, you may need to have someone helping you for upwards of 2-3 days. I would consider it unusual in my practice for my patients to require help any longer than this. Wishing you luck in your recovery.

Here are a few things to make your rhinoplasty recovery more simple


plan ahead and prepare a comfortable place to recover.  Collect reading materials and comfort items so they are close at hand.

You need to keep your head elevated for 24-48 hours so create your recovery area accordingly

get a bag of frozen peas and separate it into 6 or 8 snack size zip lock bags so you can have comfortable ice packs to place over your nose.

prepare food in advance

have plenty of liquids close by


If you follow these steps then you will probably only need to have your husband be with you for 24 hours.  Thereafter you should be OK on your own during the day.  In my Salt Lake City, UT practice I try to help my rhinoplasty patients prepare before the surgery so it makes their recovery more enjoyable.

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure that is usually performed under general anesthesia.  It is important that you have a friend or relative take care of you for the first 24 hours after the procedure.  The next day patients are usually okay on their own.  There is usually a minimal to moderate amount of pain and discomfort, no packing placed inside the nose, and the stitches are placed inside the nostrils and are dissolvable.

Dear Laurelee

Of course every patient and recovery are a little different, but having someone help you for the first few days is important.  Best Wishes

I insist that my patients have a responsible adult care for them for the first 24 hours after surgery.  This is related to the affects of the anesthesia, not the surgery.  After 24 hours you are free to drive and tend to non-stressful activities of daily living such as preparing meals, tending to normal hygiene, caring for the surgical site, and whatever else you would like to do that doesn't involve cardiovascular exertion, bending, and lifting more than 8 pounds (gallon of milk).