Go back to work after rhinoplasty and septoplasty?

Question

When is it safe for me to go back to work after a rhinoplasty and septoplasty? I work as cashier at a busy grocery store. the job is a fast paced job and I also bag the items myself most of the time. It's been nine days my face isn't swollen anymore I just have slight bruising on the eyelid but I'm afriad going back can increase chances for bleeding or swelling and later afect my results since I had a deviated septum and a lot of work was done on both the bridge and tip of my nose (bulbous nose)

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Dear iveth..Thank you for your question. Plaster must stay on the nose for 6-7 days. After 6-7 days we take nasal plaster and we apply a special plaster. This plaster needs to stay on the nose for 3-4 days. A total of 10 days is enough to return to work but still there will be bruises so that waiting one more week might be better not the let anybody realize that you had a nose job. I wish you all the best.

Gene Sloan, MD · Answer

You should contact your surgeon's office for specific recommendations. For most occupations I permit my patients to return to work one week after surgery. Exercise and other physical activities are permitted in 2 to 3 weeks. Any activities that would risk significant contact to the nose, such as competitive basketball or martial arts, should be avoided for 6 to 8 weeks

Carlos L. Wolf, MD · Answer

Generally you can go back to a reasonably normal life within one week of your rhinoplasty surgery. I tell my patients that any real activities such as working out and running should wait for one month.   I believe that you should be able to go back to your regular work and not be concerned about the bleeding. You should however check with your doctor as he may have different instructions.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

In our practice, unrestricted physical activity is allowed 21 days following rhinoplasty surgery.  Normal social activities, including non-strenuous work, may be resumed around 8 to 10 days postoperative -  typically with some artful concealer. For specific advice regarding your situation, it may be best to give your surgeon a call. Hope this helps! Dr. Joseph.

William Marshall Guy, MD · Answer

Hello Iveth,It is always best to clarify with your surgeon when you are cleared to be back at work after any surgery.  The risk of bleeding is highest in the first week, especially if you are getting your heart rate up.  But that risk depends on what was done in surgery.  At 9 days you may be completely fine to do all of your activities, assuming there is no risk of facial trauma or hitting your nose.  I hope his helps and good luck.

Michel Siegel, MD · Answer

It sounds like the risk of getting injured is very unlikely, so 1wk after surgery should be safe. At this point the splint has been removed and there should be minor bruising.

Robert S. Schmidt, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! It really depends on what your job is. If you work behind the scenes, you can go back to work as soon as you feel up to it- usually after a couple of days. You'll still have a cast and tape on your nose, but if you don't care that people see you like that, you can head back. Most people wait until the cast is off- about a week. After that, you can gradually resume your usual activity. For more about recovering from a rhinoplasty, check out my blog post!

Armand V. Simone, MD · Answer

Generally speaking, I advise patients as follows: 1. return to non strenuous work activity in 10 days...assuming they are having a non-eventful post op course. 2. Mildly exertional  Exercise  such as walking [not jogging] in 2 weeks 3. Full Exercise activity [running, weight training, stairmaster etc] -one month. In all cases, don't jump right into it but start slowly and work your way to your normal regimen. Be reasonable and appropriate in your approach -and if there is any question, always ask your surgeon for the proper counsel.
Armand Simone, MD  FACS  New York, NY
Plastic Surgeon

Go back to work after rhinoplasty and septoplasty?

Answers (8)

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