Recovery times for blepharoplasty & rhinoplasty?

Question

I am considering having both upper eyelid surgery as well as a nose job. I am trying to figure out the best timeframe to schedule the procedures and am curious about recovery time for both. If I planned the surgeries for the second week of September, generally speaking, would I be healed enough to attend an event by the first weekend of November? By "healed enough" i mean, should I expect the swelling to have subsided/ look good enough to attend the event without worry.

Ron Soltero, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Patient: Thanks so much for your question! I do get this type of question at my practice, and I tell patients that whenever they  undergo facial plastic surgery, and like in your case a combination blepharoplasty and rhinoplasty, they should take at least 10 days off work, and if they return to work, they should only be performing clerical duties, no significant strenuous work should be performed up to four to eight weeks post op and this should be closely monitored by your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

This being said, bruising and swelling around the eyes and your nose area will be present after the surgery and should continue to decrease anywhere from 48 to 72 hours.  Anywhere from 10 to 14 days post op you should be able to see increased improvement in your looks.  Remember every person heals differently.  And when you combine surgeries there will usually be more bruising and swelling.  You should be ok for your event !  
Remember to always choose only Board Certified Plastic Surgeons for these type of surgeries, set up several consults with Board Certified Plastic Surgeons and have a good communication of your goals and expectations so you get the best results possible in the hands of a professional Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Wishing you the best!
Ron Soltero MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Member American Society for Plastic Surgeons
Member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Voluntary Professor UCSD

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

In all likelihood, you should be able to attend the event. Most patients are urged to take at least 1 week off from work, school, and social activities for recovery  after a rhinoplasty. Bruising and swelling around the eyes are to be expected and are quite variable. It usually starts to subside after 48-72 hours following the surgery. In most patients the bruising will have disappeared or can easily be concealed at 10-14 days, when the splint comes off. The tip of the nose may feel numb for 4-12 months. Most patients look socially acceptable at 10-14 days, but swelling continues to diminish over months. Patients may temporarily feel self-conscious about their appearance, but it is generally not noticeable to others after a couple of weeks. It may take up to one year for the nose to achieve its ultimate appearance. A combination of a blepharoplasty and rhinoplasty may produce more bruising and swelling but should not significantly lengthen your recovery time.I would suggest that you find a surgeon certified
by the American Board of American Plastic Surgery and one who is ideally a
member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you
trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that
surgeon in person.
Robert Singer, M.D., FACS
La Jolla, California

P. Daniel Ward, MD · Answer

This is an excellent question! Yes, you should be recovered enough in that time frame to be presentable and to not feel self-conscious. You will certainly still have some swelling, but this should not be a problem that would prevent you from attending social functions.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

YES, one month should be enough time for sufficient recovery that you look good even close up, but this depends on the type of blepharoplasty (and rhinoplasty) that are done, the technical quality of your procedure, your own individual healing response, and your standards for your own appearance.

Kian J. Samimi, MD, FACS · Answer

Long term recovery following blepharoplasty and rhinoplasty is mostly dependent on the amount of swelling and how quickly it resolves. Although it may take up to a year for all swelling to resolve and the final results to be visible, most swelling is resolved by about 3 months. I find it greatly varies among people; age and underlying medical problems can significantly prolong swelling. On the other hand, incisions tend to heal fast after these procedures and may have started to fade by two months postop. I believe a reasonable time frame for recovery would be about three months, but depending on your health and your expectations, you may be fine at 2 months postop.

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