How Long Should I Keep the Tapes in my Nose After the Cast Has Been Removed a Week After Rhinoplasty?

Surgeons have different habits of how they bandage the nose after surgery. Some re-tape after the initial cast is removed and some don't. Sometimes we alter our dressings for thicker skin. There are no good scientific studies about how long tape or casts should be kept following rhinoplasty. We rely on our teachers for some of what we do and the rest we discover through years of experience. Even then, things like the length of time tape is left on is really an individual decision and more has to do with training and habit rather than true science.

Not all patients undergo the same rhinoplasty procedure, and you would be best advised to keep the tape on your nose for as long as advised by your plastic surgeon, rather than removing it earlier as others may have been instructed to do. Achieving the best result requires a cooperative effort between both the patient and the surgeon, and if you are concerned about any aspect of your post-operative care you should discuss this with your surgeon.