How Long After a Rhinoplasty Does the Face Look “normal” Again?

Question

I understand that you won’t see the full results of a nose job for almost a year after the surgery. But what I’m wondering is when does the face look normal again after the surgery? Like, no swelling, cast, bruising, etc. When you see before and after picture of nose jobs, the after picture usually looks as though the person has completely healed. How long after the nose job is the “after” photo usually taken?

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

The plastic surgeons on this website are constantly reminding patients the changes occur after rhinoplasty for months. However the obvious swelling that gives away a rhinoplasty is usually gone a couple of weeks.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

In a closed rhinoplasty, most patients will look very good at 2 to 3 weeks.  

	 

	 

	 

	Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Paul S. Nassif, MD · Answer

The initial healing period is about 2 weeks. You will have a hard cast on the nose the first week followed by brown paper tape the second week. Any bruising around the eyes after surgery is typically resolved at 2 weeks post-op, but it may last slightly longer depending on the patient. You will still be swollen after 2 weeks, but able to go back to work and resume normal activity. Some patients return to work sooner, but it really depends on the individual. The time of the "after" photos can vary, and it really depends on the surgeon. For example, there may be a single after photo, or a series of after photos at 3 month time intervals documenting the patient's healing progress. I hope this helps, and best of luck to you.

George Bitar, MD · Answer

Recovery depends on how you define it.  It is also variable for this procedure based on the extent of the operation and the thickness of the skin.  On average most patients can return to social activities after about 10-14 days.  At 3-4 weeks a significant amount of swelling has resolved so that the swelling is not obvious to the casual observer.  It takes 6-12 months for the swelling to resolve enough to be photo ready.  Final results cannot be fully evaluated until at least 12 months.

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

The majority of patients will be swollen, but look "normal" after 10-14 days. It will vary from patient to patient and the specifics of surgery, but most people will return to school or work at this point. "After" pictures are usually taken at 1 year, but may range from 6 months to several years post-op.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

After a rhinoplasty, most patients are able to return to work or social activities within 10 days. On a rare occasion, some bruises last longer than that. Most of the visible swelling and bruising is dissipated at one month, however full healing takes at least a year after the procedure. Patients with thick oily skin in the nasal tip tend to heal over a much longer period time. Digital computer imaging would be helpful to understand what can be accomplished with your nose upon your facial features

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Most patients can return to work and social activities one week following surgery. Bruising can occasionally persist for up to 10 days depending upon exactly what was done during surgery. Post-surgery photos are typically taken at 3-12 months following surgery when the swelling has mostly subsided. I hope this information is helpful.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD · Answer

Usually within a week or two you look fine. The black and blue is usually gone by the end of the second and at most the third week, most of the swelling is gone too. My patients are usually out and about as soon as the cast comes off which is 5 - 7 days post op.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Dear Girlygirl,

	Thank you for your question.  While this can vary a little from patient to patient, most patients like to stay home the first week as they are very swollen and bruised.  The second week, they start to look presentable and that is when they usually go back to work.  However, it is not until the second month until a great deal of the swelling is gone.  There is still some residual swelling for 6 months to a year and during that time you might noticed that the nose can swell a bit from time to time, especially with a lot of exercise, but this gets better and better with time.  I take most of my 'after' photos at 2 months.

	Best Wishes,

	Pablo Prichard, MD

Richard Galitz, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

The long and the short of it is this... Most acute swelling and bruising is gone in 7-10 days....The cast is also gone in 7 days.....I use flesh colored tape for up to 2 weeks. Minor swelling of the cheeks and chin should all be gone in 10-14 days.. While the "ultimate" result of your rhinoplasty can take 12-18 months to be seen most patients look " normal " and unoperated on in 3-4 four weeks.

How Long After a Rhinoplasty Does the Face Look “normal” Again?

Answers (13)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

How Long Does It Take for Dissolvable Stitches to Dissolve? (Open Rhinoplasty)

Got Hit By Blanket in Face 6 Weeks Post Rhinoplasty?

2 Months Post Rhinoplasty and Exercise is Causing Swelling? (photo)

10 Days Post-op - I Absolutely Hate my Nose? (photo)

Possible Uti Before Rhinoplasty, Will This Affect Surgery?

Nose Appears Too Short and Distance Between Nose and Lip Too Long Four Months After Rhinoplasty, What To Do? (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS