When are all visible signs of a healing rhinoplasty gone from the public eye?

Question

Assuming it takes...3 weeks before going back to work w/out anyone noticing the effects. my question is when are all signs of nose surgery gone from the public eye

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question -
It depends on exactly what you mean.  If you mean to a trained eye there may always be signs of previous surgery. 
If you're referring to people that know you well... a dramatic change in your nasal contour will probably always be noticeable.
If you're referring to swelling and bruising post-op -
Most bruising will resolve in 2-3 weeks.  The swelling can be more variable and can depend on what type and how much work you've had done.  Nasal tip swelling is usually the last thing to get better and can last 6 months to a year.  Usually this swelling is relatively swelling and the majority of the swelling should resolve after about 4 weeks.
I hope this helps.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

The most obvious signs of rhinoplasty are swelling and bruising. In most cases the bruising is pretty well gone at two weeks but does vary. Even though swelling can last months it usually isn’t obvious to others at about two weeks as well.

Sultan Hassan, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

This is another important consideration for any patient considering surgery. Following a rhinoplasty I generally say most bruising will have settled by 2-3 weeks. Swelling can take many months to resolve but around 80% should have subsided by 6weeks post although this is time can be doubled in patients with this skin.

Adam Bryce Weinfeld, MD · Answer

The short answer is that it depends as each person heals at their own rate.  In general, most people note bruising has resolved by 2-3 weeks.  You will have some degree of swelling which will last up to a year.  That being said, most people probably wont notice you recently had surgery by 3-4 weeks after surgery.

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Signs of recovery can clear up in two weeks. Full recovery can be 4-6 months on the person.

Burke Robinson, MD, FACS · Answer

Recovery from Rhinoplasty is fairly predictable.  What I tell my patients is there is essentially three phases of recovery.

The first phase is the first week in which they will typically have a bandage on their nose made up of some light brown (flesh colored) tape covered by a firm splint.  The nose is not packed unless there was an issue with bleeding during or at the end of the procedure.  (Packing is extremely rare, given the more contemporary Rhinoplasty techniques now employed as well as the medications utilized in the OR that minimize bleeding.)  Because the nose is not typically packed, the postop pain is minimal, and feels more like congestion from a head cold.  Even if you have zero bruising and swelling, the bandage is a dead giveaway, so most patients lay low socially the first 7 seven days.

At one week, the dressing is delicately removed in the office and the nostrils and skin cleaned.  At this point there is obviously some swelling, and I tell my patients in advance that between the first and sixth week I wouldn't have any keepsake photos taken, but will be fine for their normal day to day activities except for any contact sports.  I advise them not to bump the nose or wear glasses for the first six weeks as the bones heal into their new position.  During that second week they may require some makeup depending on if they bruised, and if so to what degree.  Our Esthetician routinely sees every Rhinoplasty patient at their one week postop appointment, and if some camouflaging is indicated, helps the patient with that.

The last phase is between 6 weeks and one year.  At six weeks, there is typically still a small amount of swelling noted, and is typically in the tip of the nose.  This is swelling that usually only I and the patient are aware of, but not anyone else.  Over the remainder of that year this small amount of swelling waxes and wanes and eventually is permanently gone.  There are no restrictions from glasses or activities after six weeks.

Hope you found this answer helpful.  All the best!

Vito C. Quatela, MD · Answer

After nasal surgery, a cast will be in place for one week. Some bruising and swelling may persist for two weeks, but after that time, any residual bruising can be easily covered with makeup. The general public, outside of those who are close to you, will probably not notice any swelling or bruising at this point.To evaluate the final result of rhinoplasty surgery, it takes one full year. However, after three months, most patients have about 90% of their final result.

Jaime Perez, MD · Answer

Post surgery swelling and bruising differs for each individual. Most of the time I tell patients to take about 10 days off work depending how they feel. Once the internal/external splint are removed in a week you will feel relieved. By your 3rd week I would say most bruising and swelling should be gone.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Recovery varies from patient to patient for physiologic, anatomic, and psychological standpoints. Variables include the extent of the Rhinoplasty procedure, the need or lack thereof for osteotomies (breaking the nasal bones), and the tendency for a patient to bruise. In my hands, the nasal cast is generally removed at 1 week and the nose is retaped with brown paper tape for a 2nd week. From a public perception standpoint, most observers will not be able to diffrentiate between a nasal dressing after Rhinoplasty and that used after a nasal fracture. I encourage concerned patients to use the "broken nose" excuse after the procedure.

C. Spencer Cochran, MD · Answer

The nose undergoes significant changes in the first 2 to 12 weeks following rhinoplasty. The swelling gradually dissipates over the first several months and thus the appearance of the nose changes gradually.

When the cast is removed after one week, the nose will look swollen.

Usually by the end of the second week, the swelling and bruising have subsided enough that the casual observer will not readily notice that the nose has been operated on.

To the patient, the nose will look swollen or "puffy" for several months.

By about 3-4 months, the majority of the swelling will be gone but will look larger in photographs.

It can take as long as a year for the final shape to become apparent.

You should give yourself several months if if there are any work or social engagements that would cause concern.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Bruising is the main issue after nasal surgery. Swelling is mostly gone in 7-10 days, but there are exceptions. We say that the nasal swelling is completely gone in 6-12 months.

When are all visible signs of a healing rhinoplasty gone from the public eye?

Answers (19)

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