Shorter Recovery Time for Tip Rhinoplasty?

Question

Is the recovery time shorter when the procedure is a tip Rhinoplasty only? How much time before normal activities may be resumed? How much time before swelling goes down?

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Patients go home with an external splint but most often just special tape following a tip rhinoplasty. If it is just a tip rhinoplasty then usually there is little or no bruising.
	Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication and head elevation.
	Majority of swelling and bruising subsides progressively over 2-4 weeks.
	External sutures (if any) are removed in 4-6 days. Internal sutures dissolve spontaneously.
	An early result is evident in 3 months.  Final results become evident in 12-14 months which is the time necessary for complete tissue softening.
	Areas of sensitivity or numbness will slowly resolve; the tip of the nose will feel stiff or “woody” and this will improve over the first several months.  Other temporary conditions may include some airway or sinus blockage, nasal drainage, lumps and irregularities.

Sam Rizk, MD · Answer

Depending on how much work you get
done, your recovery may actually be simpler. However, the length of recovery is
pretty standard across the board. The majority of nasal swelling should subside
within the first month following your nose job. Still, your nose will take an entire
year to completely heal, during which time residual swelling will gradually
decrease.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Tip rhinoplasties are performed for isolated deformities of
the nasal tip structures. These
procedures differ from standard rhinoplasties because no work is performed on
the underlying boney structures. In the
immediate post-operative period this results in less swelling and
bruising. For this reason, the majority
of tip rhinoplasty patients are able to resume normal activities in one to two
weeks following surgery.Although
tip rhinoplasty patients have less swelling in the immediate post-operative
period, this doesn’t translate into significant long term advantages. The reason for this paradox is related to the
fact that the nasal tip is the last anatomic area to experience resolution of
swelling. Resolution of swelling occurs
at the same rate with or without work on underlying boney structures.In the
vast majority of patients who undergo tip rhinoplasty, residual swelling is
present for at least 12 months following surgery. The duration of swelling doesn’t appear to be
shortened by avoiding surgery on the underlying nasal bones.

John Diaz, MD · Answer

If you are only have your tip worked on, then the recovery should be a lot easier. You will probably only need a week.
I tell my patients to limit activity for 3 weeks, even if only the tip was worked on.
It takes about 6-12 months before all of the swelling is gone.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

The bruising is usually gone in a week and no one should know it was done after that. The swelling is not noticeable but takes 6-12 months to resolve totally. Other than contact sports your restrictions are minimal.

Shorter Recovery Time for Tip Rhinoplasty?

Answers (8)

Answer: Yes, the tip Rhinoplasty recovery is shorter

Answer: Yes, the tip Rhinoplasty recovery is shorter

Answer: Yes it is if properly done.

Answer: Yes it is if properly done.

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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Shorter Recovery Time for Tip Rhinoplasty?

Answers (8)

Answer: Yes, the tip Rhinoplasty recovery is shorter

Answer: Yes, the tip Rhinoplasty recovery is shorter

Answer: Yes it is if properly done.

Answer: Yes it is if properly done.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.