Mother of 2 kids - will be getting a nose job soon. I do everything mostly myself.

Hello! I tell my patients to plan for one week of downtime. If you need narcotics, you should not be driving and you don't want to be in pain because planning was not appropriate! Most patients look good when the cast comes off at one week but bruising and swelling can persist for a couple weeks. I would recommend 3-4 weeks before big social events, just in case. good luck!

You may require help picking up your kids from school during the first week postoperative rhinoplasty surgery. With artful concealer, most patients may resume normal social activities around one week postoperative, and unrestricted physical activity may be resumed 21 days postoperative. The complete healing process is a year or longer. Hope this helps you. Dr Joseph

Hello and thank you for your question.  I advise patients to take off one week from work after surgery.  Bruising should be resolved by one week.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after
pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon
and not just a computer animation system. The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Recovery after rhinoplasty varies between individuals.  After rhinoplasty it is possible to have some swelling around your eyes.  It this occurs and your field of vision is slightly decreased due to the swelling please do not drive or perform hazardous activities until this swelling is reduced.  This is uncommon but as it can occur please consider the possibility.

If your surgery involves your nasal bones you should not wear glasses until this has healed adequately as glasses can affect the healing of your nose.

Most patients have only mild discomfort after rhinoplasty surgery and do not require any medication containing narcotics for pain.  If you take any medication containing narcotics do not drive or perform any hazardous activities until this wears off.  It is also possible to have some residual sedative effects after anesthesia.  If you have any of these, you should not drive or perform hazardous activities until these effects have cleared.  

Beverages that contain alcohol can impair the ability of your blood to clot.  Therefore do not drink any beverages that contain alcohol until you have adequately healed.

Please ask your surgeon about this before your procedure.

Dear Lynzz1,After rhinoplasty surgery, you will have some activity restrictions.  You may not drive if you have taken narcotic pain medication in the 24 hours prior.  You should not lift or carry anything more than 10 pounds for 2 weeks.  You should avoid certain medications and alcohol, and take certain vitamins and herbs to reduce swelling and bruising, and to enhance healing.  Your surgeon should have addressed all of this with you.  As for healing...the cast will be removed after seven days.  You can go to a party after that and look good.  But, your nose will still be swollen because the initial phase of healing will take 3 weeks.  Your nose will continue to become more defined and refined over the course of one entire year.  Best,Dr. Michelle Yagoda