Blowing Nose After Rhinoplasty?

Nose blowing after rhinoplasty varies based on the type of rhinoplasty.  Seek advice from your surgeon for your specific case.  Below are general guidelines for patients in my practice:


Rhinoplasty without septoplasty- May blow nose with care at 2 weeks after surgery

Rhinoplasty with septoplasty- May blow nose with care at 4-6 weeks after surgery

Rhinoplasty with septal perforation repair- May blow nose with care at 12 weeks after surgery


Blowing the nose can place pressure on the septomucoperichondrial flap and potentially lead to a perforation, nose bleeding, separation of mucoperichondrial flaps.  Until your physician gives you clearance to blow your nose, you can use saline to break up any secretions and then dab at the bottom of your nose.  

Nose blowing can cause damage to the new structure of your nose if done too soon after the surgery. It can tear and damage the tissue in your nose. Your surgeon will let you know the time frame for you as there's no standard for everyone.
I recommend my patients wait 4 to 6 weeks before they can safely blow their nose. Best wishes.

I advise my patients they are able to blow their nose or use a saline nasal spray from 2 weeks post surgery.

Light nasal blowing may be considered around one week following rhinoplasty surgery, unless your surgeon makes a restriction for you. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

It really depends on the specifics of the surgery.  Listen to your surgeon's aftercare advise.  Having said that, in general, I advise my patients that they can start blowing their nose gently with no twisting at 2 weeks.  You can use saline nasal spray to wash out any mucous, secretions, crusts, etc in the interim between surgery and 2 weeks.

                  It’s
not unusual for patients to have nasal congestion following rhinoplasty. This
is often secondary to swelling with crusting and scabbing within the nasal
passage. When this occurs, patients have an irresistible
urge to blow their nose.

                  We
generally, recommend that patients avoid blowing their nose for at least two
weeks following routine rhinoplasty and four to six weeks following
septoplasty.

                  When
patients blow their noses in the early post-operative period, they can
potentially damage the nasal mucous and cause bleeding. For this reason, we
generally recommend nasal saline irrigations in the immediate post-operative
period.