What is harder to recover from breast augmentation or rhinoplasty?

The recoveries are different in that with rhinoplasty, you have to wear a spint (plastic cap) over your nose for 5-7 days, and have some bruising for 5-10 days so there is a visible impact of surgery that limits you socially. However there is usually minimal pain and the need for pain medication is usually only a day or two.  With breast augmentation, which is routinely underneath the muscle, there is more pain, and that limits activity for 3 days or so.  With a large implant due to more stretch, the recovery is a couple of days longer. With both, vigorous exercise has to  be deferred for a week, and with breast augmentation, upper body exercises cannot be done for about a month.  A number of my patients have done both procedures at the same time to have only one recovery time.

Hi Kseniya,It is common to have a rhinoplasty and breast augmentation at the same time.  Many of our patients who have had both together, say the recovery is pretty comparable.  You can do whatever you want at three weeks, with either surgery.  Be sure your surgeon uses a flash or quick recovery approach to BA, and see someone familiar with sculpture techniques in rhinoplasty.  I wish you all the best,  Dr. Joe

In my practice I tell my patients they can return to work in 2-3 days after breast augmentation and 1 week after rhinoplasty ( due to swelling and bruised eyes). The pain is similar for both with the majority of pain gone in 2-3 days. I hope this helps

While both procedures are relatively straightforward as far as recovery goes, they are indeed different.  A breast augmentation will have a bit more discomfort in terms of pain whereas a rhinoplasty is more uncomfortable in terms of nasal congestion and stuffiness as well as facial bruising and swelling.  Most patients need about a week off from work/school for either procedure and they can be combined.  Good Luck!

Thank you for your question. Both rhinoplasty and breast augmentation procedures are tolerated well with mild to moderate discomfort depending on surgeon's techniques and use of pain pump. I often have patients who do both procedures at the same time. The down time is minimal. Best wishes.

I think that the recovery may be similar.  If implants are placed under the muscle, the pain may be a bit more with an augmentation.

Good question but it really depends upon many factors including your pain tolerance, type of anesthesia,etc. I've had many patients with smooth recoveries from both procedures. I have also experienced the opposite. 

If the patient is well educated on what to expect, the vast majority do well after either procedure. Neither one is terribly disabling and they are frequently combined.Good Luck,Peter A Aldea, MDMemphis, TN

Hard to give the definitive on this one as some after breast augmentation will be out and about a day or two after the procedure and some a need a week. With rhinoplasty the splint will be on and swelling is such that you will need the whole week after to let things settle down before you will feel presentable in public or at the office.