How Safe is It to Go out in Public After Rhinoplasty? I Am Very Scared of Damaging my Nose

As a plastic surgeon living in Dallas, TX many of my patients I see in the malls on the weekends with their nasal splints on from their rhinoplasty earlier in the week. In general, my patients have their splints and sutures removed within a week, 7-10 days, and earlier if they don’t have very much bruising. Usually, only a small percentage have some periorbital bruising. I encourage them to be out and be active early post-op and they can be back to work in 7-10 days.

Hi Kathy,

Have your surgeon give you your nasal splint when it is taken off.  It is fine to be in public without protection, but if you are very worried/concerned you may tape your cast on your nose.  We ask our patients to do this at night for about 2 ro 3 weeks after their rhinoplasty.  Like we tell George of the Jungle, "Watch out (for that tree)! after your rhinoplasty.  Hope that you love your new nose.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

Hi Kathy. Your question is a common one. Once your splint is removed, you should remain mindful of your recent surgery, and continue to be more cautious than usual for the first couple of weeks. Although you should avoid contact sports, there is no need to avoid walking in public or going out with friends. I would also avoid any situations where your nose is more likely to be even lightly traumatized - for example during exercise, among crowds, or while interacting with children or pets. Even relatively minor nasal trauma can lead to pain and possible deformity during the early postoperative period. Good luck and best wishes for an uneventful recovery.

It should be perfectly fine to be out in public at this point after surgery. You would want to avoid strenuous activity and contact sports. Just walking around in public at this stage shouldn't be any more dangerous for your nose than normal.

The main precaution that needs to be adhered to is avoidance of trauma or forceful contact to your nose for 6 weeks postoperatively.  After your splint is removed, some rebound swelling occurs, which resolves over the next few months.  I encourage my patients to avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for two weeks after surgery.  The only issue with going out in public may (or may not ) be your perception of how your nose looks.

One week after surgery, you are fine to do day to day activities but not streneous one. Many of my patients go out the next day with the splint on and do well. Mild activities help healing and prevent complications after majority of surgical procedures. I get my patients get up and walk day one.

I ask my patients to refrain from social activities for the first week.  After the first post-op visit when the splints are off then social activities are fine.  No contact sports or activities that would cause trauma or potential trauma to the nose are allowed for six weeks.  Common sense should be your guide in this as well.  Obviously if you are bruised and swollen, a little more time may be advisable.  GHB

We advise our Rhinoplasty patients to put up an invisible wall 2 feet in front of their face for 1 month after Rhinoplasty.  No hugs, no struggles, nothing gets within that 2 foot distance from your nose.  Rest is OK.

You will not injure your nose with acts of daily living.  No contact sports or excessive activity is recommended.  Donald Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

 You should be fine now for day to day activity with friends.You should avoid stenuous activity that would get your heart rate and blood pressure up significantly for three weeks. For about 6 weeks you should refrain from sports activities with potential for contact with your nose.