Is it best to avoid possible hits to the nose after rhinoplasty?

The nose is not in danger of having more problems after rhinoplasty if a direct shot is taken, but a patient's nose can always be broken, just like someone who hasn't undergone surgery. It's just a chance you take and would factor that into consideration of when to do the surgery - maybe get it done after the boxing career is over.

The overwhelming majority of patients who undergo rhinoplasty surgery do not experience subsequent nasal trauma. This conversation may come up if we are consulting with somebody that plays contact sports. When patience request rhinoplasty surgery and also want to compete in sports, we typically recommend a Murray mask. I hope this is helpful! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

You want to avoid getting hit in the nose after your rhinoplasty especially in the first year while you are healing. However, it does not mean you cannot resume your daily life. If you play sports there is a special face mask you can wear to protect your nose especially during the first year. You want to be cautious of your new nose but do not let it stop you from living.

The nose isn't particularly fragile after a rhinoplasty. In fact, I think the nose is *less* likely to get broken after a post-operative bonk than *before* surgery! The pre-surgery bones are brittle, and they break relatively easily with a strong hit. After surgery, though, the bones, which have often been moved, have healed with firm scar tissue, and they can flex with a big bonk and not move out of place. And the cartilage part of the nose doesn't tend to break, because of its inherent flexibility and the flexibility of its attachments to surrounding structures.

Don't take boxing lessons without a helmet. But don't give up on the activities that you love, either!

Thank you for your question!

The initial healing process takes about two to three weeks. However, the bones are usually pretty stable by the three month mark. You want to definitely exercise caution but should be able to resume normal activities.

Best of Luck!

Hello and thank you for your question. I allow my patients to return back to contact sports. You could even return the gym as soon as one week after surgery. Of course, I always recommend being careful and not intentionally getting hit in the nose. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

You should probably refrain from contact sports for at least 4 to 6 weeks after a rhinoplasty procedure. After that, you have no restrictions and should play sports with all of your friends. Rhinoplasty is the most difficult procedure to perform correctly in the entire entire field of cosmetic surgery, so choose your surgeon wisely based on extensive experience producing natural results

During my medical training, I’m more than once heard the expression “never say never and never say always”. There is a lot of truth to this.
There are some absolutes, but most things in medicine are more on the relative scale.
Perhaps you interpreted what the surgeon meant a bit more concrete than the expression or statement was intended.
Perhaps that surgeon was a bit extreme in there description of what is or is not appropriate after rhinoplasty surgery I think most people go back to daily activities after rhinoplasty surgery, recognizing that nasal injury that includes nasal fracture can have negative implications for those who have had rhinoplasty just like it does for those who have not.
I personally don’t feel patient are at significantly increased risk for having deformities from Nasal contact after rhinoplasty surgery. Certainly not enough to limit doing what you enjoy. Talk to some other surgeons in your community to see what they have to say.
I do usually tell people to seek help from plastic surgeons who have extensive experience with rhinoplasty surgery.
Look for plastic surgeons focus either exclusively, rhinoplasty surgery or has this as a major component of their practice
Consider looking for plastic surgeons who have membership in the rhinoplasty society.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD